Best Places to hike in Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you’re craving an adventure that’s going to be one for the books, hiking is definitely the activity for you. Hiking not only allows you to explore and see new things, but it’s also a great workout. You can breathe fresh air, discover different plant and animal species, and enjoy fantastic views. The best part is that you get to prove that you’ve got what it takes to conquer whatever nature throws your way!
You’re in luck if you live in or near Albuquerque, New Mexico. This city is home to some of the best hiking trails in the Southwest.
Albuquerque is blessed with a diverse landscape, from the sandstone cliffs of the Petroglyph National Monument to the high desert plains of the Rio Grande Valley State Park. What better place to hike than a place that has a little bit of everything?
Albuquerque never runs out of excellent hiking trails perfect for beginners, intermediates, and even experts. It’s high time you check these trails out!

Best Hiking Trails in and Near Albuquerque
Not everyone has tried hiking. If you’re a beginner, Albuquerque has the perfect hiking trails that are challenging enough to make you want to try even more difficult trails! For intermediate hikers, there are still a ton of options for you. If you’re a hiking expert, you definitely won’t be disappointed by the city’s exciting trails. Here are some of the best hiking trails in Albuquerque:
Pino Trail (Short Version)

Length of Trail: 3.3 miles
Cost: $1 on weekdays and $2 on weekends (parking)
Location: 7100 Tramway Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 (Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, Albert G. Simms Park)
Phone: +1 505-768-5353
Pino Trail has a short version that lets beginners enjoy a 3.3-mile hike. Located at Elena Gallegos Picnic Area (Albert G. Simms Park), the out-and-back trail has 616 feet of elevation gain that’s easy enough for those who haven’t hiked before!
Pino Trail is an excellent first choice if you’re up for a day hike from Albuquerque. The trail is popular and can get heavily trafficked, but it’s great for all levels. You can even bring kids with you to enjoy the adventure! Locals and tourists alike use the trail for running and horseback riding. If you hike during spring and summer, you’ll catch a luscious view of beautiful flowers.
The best thing about Pino Trail is that the trail is still doable even during winter. Hiking in Albuquerque during winter can be a great experience, as long as you’re prepared for the cold weather. If you’re in Albuquerque during the cold season, conquer the Pino Trail for an unforgettable hiking experience!
Travertine Falls Trail

Length of Trail: 1.1 miles
Cost: Free
Location: Albuquerque, NM 87113 (Cibola National Forest)
Phone: +1 505-346-3900
The next beginner-friendly hiking trail on the list is the Travertine Falls Trail. It’s another out-and-back hiking trail with 249 feet of elevation gain. Located at the Cibola National Forest, Travertine Falls Trail can also be heavily trafficked, mostly used for running and walking. Still, it’s a great trail for all levels, and dogs are welcome, too!
The best time to hike this trail is from March until October. You’ll enjoy the views and the lush greenery! The route is straightforward, but you still have to be cautious in some areas. After all, what’s hiking without a little bit of challenge? Your reward for finishing the trail is definitely the waterfall! If you want to explore the top, you’ll find a cave that houses New Mexico fossils.
Volcanoes Trail

Length of Trail: 3.2 miles
Cost: $1 on weekdays and $2 on weekends (parking)
Location: Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 (Petroglyph National Monument)
Phone: +1 505-899-0205
Volcanoes Trail is another hiking trail that you can try as a beginner. It’s situated in the Petroglyph National Monument and can be your first-ever loop trail! With an elevation gain of 374 feet, the Volcanoes Trail can give you the obstacles you’ll want to try out in future hikes.
This trail is open all year; you can visit it even during winter. Just be sure to check if the trail is open before you visit, as it goes through restoration from time to time. Generally, the Volcanoes Trail shows you mind-blowing wildflowers as you hike, walk, or run through the area. It’s a good location for birdwatching, too!
Paseo del Bosque Trail

Length of Trail: 16 miles
Cost: Free
Location: Multiaccess
Phone: (505) 768-4200
The Paseo del Bosque Trail has 16 miles of paved pathways open for all levels. It’s a great place to start if you want to train for longer hikes in the future! The trail is one of the city’s unique gems as it runs through the Rio Grande. Hikers, bikers, and runners can use the course any day of the year.
You don’t have to go through 16 miles on your first try. You can always come back for more once you’re ready. If you’re also eager to be even more adventurous, you can skip the paved pathways and use the dirt trails instead. Just make sure you don’t get lost! The dirt trails are intertwined, and that’s all part of the fun.
Embudito Canyon Loop

Length of Trail: 3.9 miles
Cost: Free
Location: Albuquerque, NM 87111 (Sandia Foothills Open Space Park)
Phone: +1 505-332-5240
Moving on to the intermediate trails, we have the Embudito Canyon Loop. This is a trail where you can start easy and end with a challenge! With an elevation gain of 1,204 feet, this trail is perfect for those who want to take their hiking game up a notch.
The Embudito Canyon Loop is located at the Sandia Foothills Open Space Park, one of the most popular trails for hiking near Albuquerque. This is the next level for you if you’ve already conquered the easy hiking trails. It can get chilly on this trail, so don’t forget to pack a jacket!
Its rocky terrain makes the Embudito Canyon Loop more challenging than the first three trails in this list. Don’t worry — the amazing views will make up for it! You’ll see a lot of wildlife on this trail, too. You may need to be ready to scramble in some areas, but overall, it’s a great trail for an intermediate hiker.
10K North and South Trailheads

Length of Trail: 4.9 miles (North) and 5.5 miles (South)
Cost: $3
Location: Scenic Byway 536
Phone: 505-346-3900 (Forest Service)
If you find yourself at Scenic Byway 536, know that you have two hiking trail options: 10K and 10K South Trailheads. The two trails meet in the middle, but each offers a unique experience. Hiking 10K North is shorter with an elevation gain of 1099 feet while South is 5.5 miles with 971-feet elevation gain.
Choose either of the two moderately challenging routes; it will take around two hours and 30 minutes to complete the out-and-back trails. Both are open all year round. If you’re lucky and hike on a quiet day, you’ll surely enjoy the solitude these trails offer. The wildflowers bloom during spring and summer, so make sure to time your hike around then!
Eye of the Sandias Loop Trail

Length of Trail: 3.9 miles
Cost: Free
Location: Albuquerque, NM 87111 (Sandia Foothills Open Space Park)
Phone: +1 505-332-5240
Another hiking trail at the Sandia Foothills Open Space Park is the Eye of the Sandias Loop Trail. This is a relatively tricky trail with an elevation gain of 1,295 feet, so hikers must be ready to conquer the steep sections.
Like the Embudito Canyon Loop, the Eye of the Sandias Loop Trail is an excellent trail for those who want to see amazing views of Albuquerque. If you get to the top, you can enjoy the peace and quiet that only nature can give (and not all hikers can reach!).
The trail can get moderately trafficked, but it’s still doable for those who are up for a challenge. If you have the guts to survive the large rocks and the scrambling, then go for it!
La Luz Trail #137

Length of Trail: 13.3 miles
Cost: Parking for $3 and $15 if taking the tram down
Location: Albuquerque, NM 87122 (Sandia Mountain Wilderness)
Phone: 505-281-3304 (Sandia Ranger District)
If you’re done with the easy and intermediate trails, it’s time to move on to the difficult ones! The La Luz Trail is an out-and-back 13.3-mile trail with an elevation gain of 3,572 feet. It’s a top-rated trail, and it’s considered to be one of the most strenuous trails in Albuquerque. It’s rocky and overgrown, so it’s only recommended for those in good shape.
The best time to hike the La Luz Trail #137 is from April to October. The trail is highly elevated, so when it’s a little too windy, the tram might not be able to operate. Even if this trail is difficult, the views from the top are definitely worth it! Hikers must dress according to the season and the environment. The course isn’t groomed, so it can be challenging for those who are used to well-maintained trails.
Pino Trail

Length of Trail: 9 miles
Cost: $1 on weekdays and $2 on weekends (parking)
Location: 7100 Tramway Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 (Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, Albert G. Simms Park)
Phone: +1 505-768-5353
When you’re done with the short version of the Pino Trail, you can challenge yourself with the long version! This 9.0-mile trail is for experienced hikers only. The 2,736-feet elevation gain is best for hiking from April until September. The Pino Trail also leads you to the Crest Trail.
You can think of it as the Pino Trail short version but for seasoned hikers. Even during summer, you can enjoy the hike as it’s not as hot as other trails in Albuquerque. Hikers can find a few springs along the way. As long as you survive the steep and long sections of the trail, you’re up for some good time.
The longer Pino Trail is not as friendly in winter as the short version is. The paths can be icy, so it’d be best to hike during the other seasons. Overall, the trail is exciting and fulfilling for daring hikers in Albuquerque.
Domingo Baca Trail #230
Length of Trail: 8 miles
Cost: $1 on weekdays and $2 on weekends (parking)
Location: 7100 Tramway Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 (Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, Albert G. Simms Park)
Phone: +1 505-768-5353
Hiking one of the best places to visit in New Mexico is an experience you shouldn’t miss. The Domingo Baca Trail is one of the most popular trails in the area because of its forests. It has an elevation gain of 3,543 feet, testing all hiking experts with steep and loose soil and rocks!
If you continue on after finishing the trail, you can find the 1955 TWA plane wreckage. Domingo Baca Trail #230 also brings hikers to the river, which is best to visit from June to October. Make sure you carefully plan your hike, though. In some seasons, there are many bugs around. The trail is also overgrown, so it’s really for expert and in-shape hikers only!
Moreover, Domingo Baca Trail #230 starts in the middle of the open desert. You end up in a forest in the mountains, which means you get to explore different ecosystems on your way.
A Quick Guide to Hiking
When hiking as a beginner or an expert, it’s important to be prepared. Hiking can be a fun and rewarding experience as long as you take the necessary precautions. Here are some tips to help you out:
- Pack light but don’t forget the essentials: Hiking is tiring, so you want to ensure you’re only carrying essential items.
- Wear the right clothes and shoes: Go for breathable pants that can help you keep warm or cool, depending on the season. Hiking boots or shoes with good traction are a must!
- Start small: Hiking is a great workout, but it can be taxing on the body, especially if you’re not used to it. Choose a trail that’s not too long or difficult, and work your way up as you get more experience.
- Learn hiking terms: Before you go on a hike, familiarize yourself with basic hiking terms. This way, you can easily follow trail maps and descriptions.
- Hike with experts: For beginners, it’s always best to hike with people who know the ropes. Hiking experts can help you out if you get lost, and they can also give you tips on how to improve your hiking skills.
Camel Up, Hikers!
Albuquerque is a great place to start your hiking journey. With its many trails offering different difficulty levels, there’s undoubtedly a trail perfect for you. What are you waiting for? Camel up! You’ll need all the hydration you can get for a fun and safe hike. Put on your hiking shoes and explore Albuquerque’s great outdoors!