Santa Fe is blessed with an abundance of nature and a plethora of incredible hikes. The beauty of the desert is that it’s a playground all year round.
Here are some of the best hikes you can find in Santa Fe this 2024!
Dale Ball Trails
The Dale Ball trail system is a collection of mellow hiking and biking trails that are excellent for outdoor lovers to explore the great Santa Fe outdoors. If you need some casual but scenic hiking, Dale Ball is the spot for you! These are some perfect options for those who are adjusting to the altitude of Santa Fe.
Pichacho Peak
Distance 3.9 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 1,329 ft
Pichacho Peak is our favorite hike in Santa Fe without a doubt.
Great trial signage, pet friendly, and the view at the summit is unbelievable.
Flanked by the Sangro De Cristo mountain range, this is the hike if you want the best bang for your buck. It’s definitely not easy but all skill levels are capable of making the ascent if they pace themselves.
Yes you will struggle a bit if you’re not acclimated to higher elevation hikes but this isn’t as much as a challenge than our next top Santa Fe County hike.
Address: 35 686212 #105.895579, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (Nature Conservancy | Cerro Gordo Trailhead)
Atalaya Mountain
Atalaya Mountain is another popular hike in Santa Fe but a lot more challenging than Pichacho Peak.
Hikers should be in good physical shape before attempting to summit this monster of a mountain especially if acclimating to the elevation in Santa Fe.
Peaking Atalaya requires roughly 1200 ft of elevation gain and hopefully not much heat or thunderstorms when you’re taking your chance!
We know this one might take a toll on the body, so if needed, check out the best places for a massage in Santa Fe.
Atalaya Trailhead Address: 1162 Camino De Cruz Blanca, Santa Fe, NM 87505
For those hikers who did not come prepared, visit any of the top Santa Fe outdoor gear shops to stock up on any hiking essentials and more local advice!
Ravens Ridge Trail
Hiking Ravens Ridge is certainly no easy task but worth every ounce of effort. The hike originates from the Ski Santa Fe parking lot and winds up to one of the best views in all of Santa Fe.
This hike is very demanding and should be down with caution as the high altitude conditions can change rapidly!
Did you bring a Mountain Bike on your trip? This area has some of the Best Mountain Bike Trails in Santa Fe too!
Address: Winsor Trailhead at Santa Fe Ski Resort Parking
Cross of the Martyrs Hike
The Cross of the Martyrs hike is Santa Fe’s easiest hike on this list. This is more of a light stroll up a paved path that leads to unforgettable views of Santa Fe.
The best time to take this hike is at sunset or sunrise. For those who don’t want to do this easy hike, drive up to the parking lot and complete the short walk to the viewing area.
Nambe Lake
For the hikers who want an extremely challenging hike in Santa Fe, Nambe Lake is for you. This downright grueling high-elevation lake hike will have your legs and lungs burning. Despite the struggle, the juice is worth the squeeze. This lake is gorgeous and definitely, a must-do hike in New Mexico.
Pro Tip: Use a trail map app to keep your sanity on this easy-to-get-lost trail. I use AllTrails and it was paramount to my mental strength on this trail
Nambe Falls
Nambe Falls is an easy 0.5-mile round-trip hike in the Tesuque area. For those who didn’t know, there are waterfalls in the New Mexico desert!
There are two routes that are both short and scenic. The Nambe Falls Overlook trail is a short easy hike with some moderate steepness in some sections of the trail.
The hike to the base of the falls is more of an immersive experience as for the majority of the hike you will be wading through cold water. It’s very easy but if you aren’t adapted to the cold snow runoff your toes might become numb.
Another thing to be mindful of once you reach the lower base of the falls is falling rock. Much of the area above is loose, scattered rock that people above can dislodge ending up in the standing area.
One other important thing to note is that Nambe Falls is open Thursday-Sunday only.
Entry Fee – $15
Distance from Santa Fe: roughly 35 minutes.
Aspen Vista Trail
Head on up into the alpine environment towards Ski Santa Fe and enjoy the lovely Aspen Vista trail. This is one of the best fall hikes in Santa Fe and is a can’t-miss hike in Santa Fe when fall colors are at their peak.
Sun Mountain Trail
Sun Mountain Trail is a great short but strenuous hike in Santa Fe. This is only about 1.6 miles but the push to the peak is somewhat demanding.
Not only that, loose dirt doesn’t make the trip any easier. However, for a short summit that rewards hikers with amazing Santa Fe views, go for it!
Sun Mountain Trailhead Address: Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Local Tip: You could also park at St Johns College and hike up the west side too.
New Mexico Hiking Tips to Remember
- Elevation sickness is real. Take your time getting acclimated to the elevation before you start bagging these peaks
- Sunscreen is your friend. High-elevation environments + sunny days make your skin susceptible to sun damage. Use it before you lose it!
- The weather is wild in the southwest. Check weather reports and keep an eye on fast-moving storms, especially for longer backcountry trips.
- Bring plenty of water. This goes without saying but water refill points are sporadic at best in the desert.
Other Top Things to do in Santa Fe
Now that you’ve done a top hike in Santa Fe, make sure you get to experience a number of the other best things to do in the city different!