Ultimate Santa Fe, NM Mountain Bike Guide (2023)7 min read
High desert. Dirt. Unforgettable memories. Learn all about the Best Santa Fe Mountain Bike trails to explore this year.
Welcome to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The highest state capital city in the United States. Now before you go losing all of your oxygen before settling in on your bike, learn all there is to know about Mountain Biking in Santa Fe this year!
Santa Fe Bike Trails
Santa Fe is home to some incredible trails that sit conveniently in some breathtaking landscapes. Before you start pushing your pedals, familiarize yourself with the trail network to maximize your time on our trails.
Winsor Trail
The Winsor Trail is by far the best and most popular bike trail in Santa Fe. Originating at Santa Ski Basin (if moving downhill, highly recommended) this trail descends roughly 2,500 ft over a span of roughly 6 miles of varying terrain. Technical but not overly challenging terrain can be found near the upper portions that eventually transition into fun and pedally singletrack.
Pro Tip: Ride the 255 Free Blue Bus up to the Ski Basin and charge it downhill. Busses are equipped with bike racks and air conditioning. (Full breakout of bus can be found later in this article)
Winsor Trail Conditions May 29, 2023:
- Multiple downed trees require riders to dismount and hike a bike.
- Snowmelt overflowing loads of water on multiple sections of trail with highly heavy mudded areas
- Stream crossings are much higher than normal but still easily passable
Ski Basin Fire Road to Alamo Vista
This route is best done by pedaling up the Ski Basin Fire road and connecting the downhill to Alamo Vista. The downhill is steep and technical with plenty of scenic stopping points.
Alpine Vista Trail to Ski Santa Fe Summit
This one is a grueling uphill pedal that will take you from the incredibly scenic Alpine Vista Trail to the Santa Fe Ski Area Summit. Best time to ride this trail is Fall simply for the high density of memorable aspens and cooler climates.
If colors and climate aren’t of priority, tackle this mtb service road ride for a calorie-burning afternoon.
La Tierra Trails
More Cross-country focused riding, La Tierra is a quick escape into the Santa Fe hillside. The trail network of La Tierra also offers riders two different dirt jump areas with varying levels of platform drops and wooden wall features. This is a great area to get acclimated to Santa Fe’s elevation and enjoy some fun easier miles.
The can’t-miss trail at La Tierra is Hustle & Flow.
Dale Ball Trails
Another local, ride from your doorstep to the trail is Dale Ball Trails Network. This trail system has 3 different areas but all are well-maintained and all very enjoyable.
Glorieta Basin
While not technically in Santa Fe, Glorieta Basin roughly 30 minutes away, is one of the best mountain bike trail networks in all of New Mexico. Here you can find some of the most technical riding options in the state!
This place is designed to push the limits for serious riders. Serious enough that the yearly Big Mountain Enduro is held in this area.
Chips n Salsa is one of the newest trails and also one of the most fun trails we have ever ridden. A lovely mix of big sweeping berms, jumps, and multiple technical sections.
Jagged Axe is another can’t miss trail that is tech-heavy and might even terrify some of the best riders out there.
Santa Fe Rail Trail
The Santa Fe Rail Trail originates in Santa Fe and was built to end at Lamy.
As of 2023, the trail goes 10 miles with the first 3.5 miles of asphalt that transitions into an undulating dirt path.
There is no shade on this route so be prepared with proper sun protection and hydration.
Santa Fe River Trail
Looking for a casual and scenic bike ride through Santa Fe? The Santa Fe River Trail is a lovely stretch of path that meanders alongside the Santa Fe River and is perfect for those who need an easy and enjoyable bike ride.
One of the best parts of this bike trail? The Bicentennial dirt pump track!
Santa Fe Bike Shops
Unfortunately, your bike is bound to encounter some problems at some point. Or you just might want to know a little bit more about what’s happening here in the Santa Fe Mountain Bike scene. Enter, the ever-important local bike shops of Santa Fe!
Here are a few to keep your two wheels moving when times get tough:
Sincere Cycles – Bailey is the man. Stop in for some stories and over-reliable guidance. Keep an eye out for group rides originating from here.
Mellow Velo – Conveniently located near the downtown plaza, Mello Velo is a well-established and cherished shop. Don’t hesitate, just visit.
Need more? Read my full Santa Fe Bike Shop guide now
Free Bike Shuttle in Santa Fe
As mentioned in the Winsor Trail section above, Santa Fe offers a free mtb shuttle that will connect you with some of the best mountain bike trails in the Santa Fe area.
The 255 Blue Bus offers 3 front bike racks and 8 bike racks in the rear. The bus seats about 15 people so to ensure you get a spot, it’s recommended to get on the bus at it’s starting point, South Capital Station.
The route starts at South Capital Station and ends at Ski Santa Fe. Total travel time is about 1 hour dependent on road traffic and passenger loading.
Santa Fe Mountain Bike Resources
Santa Fe is a city full of outdoor enthusiasts. Luckily for us here in the city different, there are a number of clubs and resources that keep the outdoor bike spirit at full tilt.
Some resources you should definitely utilize to help plan an unforgettable mtb trip in Santa Fe include: