New Mexico offers some of the best cycling opportunities in the U.S. With urban bike trails, expansive mountain biking systems, and scenic road cycling, there’s no shortage of options in the Land of Enchantment. Whether you’re visiting or new to the area, here are our top 10 recommended bike trails in New Mexico.

1. Angel Fire Bike Park – Angel Fire, NM

Angel Fire Resort is a well-known skiing resort for families in New Mexico, but its bike park is also home to some of the best mountain biking in the southwest! As the largest bike park in the Rocky Mountains, it features more than 32 trails and 60+ miles to explore on two wheels, so you’ll never run out of exciting mountain biking adventures here. A lift serves the trails, and the terrain is well-manicured, with features like skinnies, jump lines, and more.

Tips: The resort also has a bike shop offering maintenance and repair services, bike rentals, and lessons.

2. Sandia Peak – Albuquerque, NM

In Albuquerque, the Sandia Peak ride is a beloved route among local cyclists, but it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re up for the challenge, the entire route is about 15 miles total and features a 3,000-foot climb up the Sandia Mountains to the Sandia Crest, a long ridge-like summit. As it carves its way through the Cibola National Forest, the ride up features a lush, beautiful landscape and stunning views of Albuquerque from above. The road is paved from top to bottom and there’s also a gift shop and cafe at the top. We highly recommend wearing or bringing a few layers of clothing for this one!

Tips: The Tinkertown Museum, just 1.2 miles from the route’s starting point, features a fascinating collection of hand-carved wooden figurines and is worth a visit while you’re in the area.

3. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway – Red River, NM

The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in Red River is one of the most beautiful rides in the entire southwestern U.S. Although many cyclists travel to this area to participate in the annual Enchanted Circle Bicycle Tour, even just biking it alone is well worth a trip. The byway winds through the Hondo Valley and features challenging hills, hairpin turns, climbs, and the highest mountain road in the state, Bobcat Pass, at 9,820 feet in elevation. As its name suggests, the route creates a large circle and leads you through Questa, Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Arroyo Hondo, El Prado, and Red River, offering some of the most stunning sights in Northern New Mexico along the way.

Tips: There are plenty of fun tourist activities, restaurants, and hiking spots to enjoy along the way, so take your time and enjoy the area thoroughly.

4. Santa Fe Century Route – Santa Fe, NM

The Santa Fe Century is a popular road cycling event that starts and ends in Santa Fe, New Mexico. However, you can bike the route anytime! It passes through the beautiful Ortiz Mountains and the Galisteo River Valley as you travel along the historic Turquoise Trail, named for the blue-green turquoise first mined by the early Pueblo people. Along the way, you’ll pass old mining towns like Madrid and Golden and many beautiful natural features, including Lone Butte and Garden of the Gods (not to be confused with its bigger namesake in Colorado Springs). This lengthy bike ride also includes a famous climb known as Heartbreak Hill, which many cyclists end up walking! But don’t worry; once you make it over the hill, you’ll arrive in Cedar Grove, and the route is much flatter after that. 

Tips: There are many other adventurous biking and hiking trails off this main route and plenty of food stops along the way if you need to refuel.

5. Canyon Rim Trail – Los Alamos, NM

The Canyon Rim Trail is one of many trails in an extensive network in the Los Alamos area. It’s a family-friendly paved pathway along East Road (SR 502) but is separate from the roadway, offering a traffic-free way to enjoy the sights and ride. Although it’s a short 2.5-mile route, it provides gorgeous views into Los Alamos Canyon below and the nearby Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. The local wildlife is also fantastic and includes elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears, 

Tips: The Los Alamos Nature Center is just one mile from the Canyon Rim Trail. It’s free and features a wildlife observation room, a dome planetarium, several play areas for kids, and interactive exhibits.

6. Spring River Recreation Trail – Roswell, NM

For more of an urban cycling experience in New Mexico, the Spring River Recreation Trail is a favorite among Roswell locals. Located in the northern part of the city, this route offers about 4 miles of riding bliss. It winds through a golf course, community parks, and several local attractions, including the Roswell Museum and Art Center and 34-acre Spring River Zoo. The trail also goes through residential, commercial, and industrial areas, giving you a thorough tour of Roswell.

Tips: You can’t be in Roswell without visiting the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Conveniently, it’s just one mile from Spring River Recreational Trail. 

7. South Boundary Trail – Angel Fire, NM

The South Boundary Trail is an IMBA Epic known for the challenging and thrilling riding experience it provides. It features 23 miles of singletrack through the beautiful alpine forest for a one-of-a-kind adventure. Located between Angel Fire and Toas, this biking route is one of the most popular in the state and offers some of the most stunning views! The trail begins with a very challenging climb, but it’s worth the effort, as the long descent back down provides breathtaking vistas of the natural forested landscape. There are several possible starting and ending points for the South Boundary Trail, so it’s best to plan ahead and use a shuttle service.

Tips: This route reaches 10,800 feet in altitude at its highest point, so bring plenty of layers to accommodate weather changes.

8. White Ridge Bike Trails – San Ysidro, NM

The White Ridge trail system in San Ysidro is rugged and beautiful, offering a spectacular and scenic riding experience. The route meanders through Zia Pueblo, New Mexico, and public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It sits on top of the Tierra Amarilla Anticline and gets its name from the white gypsum in the mesa ridges. As you ride, you’ll enjoy fast and fun sections of singletrack following several challenging climbs and the exposed ridgelines offer fantastic views over the mesa. The area is also known for its many geological wonders, including fossils of rare dinosaurs and segments of petrified trees that are millions of years old. 

Tips: The trails are primarily for mountain bikers, but you may also encounter hikers along them as you ride. One section is also open to equestrians.

9. Cedar Creek Recreation Area – Ruidoso, NM

Biking is one of the most popular activities in the Cedar Creek Recreation Area off Highway 48. Located in the Lincoln National Forest at an altitude of about 6,540 feet, the T121 and T121A biking trails are well-known and loved routes among cyclists, offering a windy ride through the pines and aspens. The Cedar Creek Spaghetti Bowl is another popular riding route at Cedar Creek, which features about 12 miles of interconnected trails that all lead back to the main trail (hence the name). This is ideal for anyone worried about getting lost! All the paths at Cedar Creek vary in length and difficulty, so the area is excellent for cyclists of all skill levels.

Tips: It’s tough to get lost here, but stop by the Smokey Bear Ranger station if you need a map.

10. “A” Mountain Loop Trail – Las Cruces, NM

Tortugas Mountain, locally known as “A” Mountain, is home to the “A” Mountain Loop Trail in Las Cruces. It’s a local landmark and popular mountain biking destination for cyclists of all skill levels. The 4.5-mile trail wraps around the mountain’s base and features varied terrain with sandy creek beds and hard-packed dirt for a fast and smooth ride. However, be ready for rocky sections too; there are plenty of them. The lower trails are ideal for beginners, but more advanced riders may enjoy its more technical areas or can use it for a timed ride.

Tips: There are communication structures and astronomical observatories on top of the mountain, but the BLM asks that visitors maintain a proper distance from them.

Sources:

1. https://www.angelfireresort.com/activities/summer-activities/bike-park/
2. https://pjammcycling.com/climb/203.Sandia-Crest-Cycling
3. https://www.summitpost.org/sandia-peak/151423
4. https://taos.org/discover/enchanted-circle-driving-tour/
5. https://www.santafecentury.com/
6. https://www.traillink.com/trail/canyon-rim-trail/
7. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4080648/canyon-rim-trail
8. https://www.traillink.com/trail/spring-river-recreation-trail-/
9. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4073073/south-boundary-trail-164-imba-epic
10. https://www.blm.gov/visit/white-ridge-bike-trails
11. https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/mountainbike/whiteridge
12. https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/cedar-creek-spaghetti-bowl/
13. https://www.ruidosoparksandrec.com/cedar-creek/
14. https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/a-mountain-trail/
15. https://www.blm.gov/visit/tortugas-mountain-recreation-area
16. https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/a-mountain-trail/

Photo Sources:

• John Fowler, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
• Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
• Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons