Santa Fe is known as the Hiker’s paradise because many hiking trails are scattered in every part of the city.
There are eighteen hiking areas or trails that can be found in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yes, eighteen trails, and it’s just a couple of minutes ride from the city, but these are the two most popular hiking tracks that tourists love to hike:
Aspen Vista Trail
It is the most popular trail in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains located about 13 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza, near the Santa Fe Ski Basin, a steady uphill riding on a dirt road with incredible views of the aspen trees– aspen trees are amazing especially when it turns golden yellow. The gradual uphill climb and the width of the road make it ideal for hikers of all abilities and ages. The trail is also popular with cross-country skiers.
The entire trail is 12 miles long, so some hikes for only about an hour, then go back down again. Great pictures can be taken every stop over. Wonderful views over the valley, astonishing bright blue sky, and layers and layers of mountains disappearing into the distance. After a long walk, you can also sit in a little rest area near the trailhead (best spot), have a little cup of coffee and do chit-chatting with your companions or you can even just lie down and enjoy the view of the bright blue sky.
Atalaya Mountain Trail
This Mountain trail is also one of the most popular trails in Santa Fe, and is accessible from the parking lot at St. Johns College. It’s only 7miles long, So some would think it’s kind of boring because it’s not like “Aspen Vista Trail” that they will take a long journey to reach the trailhead, and they’ll get to encounter many different things, But it is more interesting to hike(especially for those who love adventures) cause from the start of your hiking, you’ll get to start with an easy flat land, and it will be increasingly challenging after a couple of minutes of walking. While on journey, you’ll get to see different animals, and unusual harmful insects. So prepare a camera with great megapixels for great photographs. Hikers who make it to the top are afforded great views of the Rio Grande valley and the city below.
Escape reality as you pass through forests of pinon, juniper and ponderosa trees, see a lot of different creatures as you go all the way, lie down near trailheads and just look at the view of the bright blue sky, be dazzled with the color of the aspen tress which changes from green to golden yellow, and stop to admire the beauty of wildflowers and sunsets. Give yourself time to enjoy every great view, and don’t forget to take pictures for souvenirs!