Our Social-Distancing Bike Trail Guide of Northern and Central New Mexico [+4 Favorite Trails]
Needing to get outdoors and stretch your legs while also being socially responsible? Routes has put together a quick guide to some of our favorite places (and ways!) to ride a bicycle in New Mexico, with a focus on Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
The opportunities to ride of course extend FAR beyond what we’ll mention here but we hope this serves as a good starting point for locals and visitors alike. Our team invites you to add your favorite trails, areas, and experiences in the comments section below!
PLEASE NOTE: As our State opens up in stages and businesses are working with limited hours, we recommend calling in advance of visiting. Wherever possible, we have added a link to our suggested stops for your convenience.
#1) Albuquerque: Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail
The 16-mile Paseo del Bosque Path is a highlight for road cyclists and connects to some of Albuquerque’s most scenic, fun, and interesting areas.
This path stretches north-south through a state park (the “Bosque”, or woodlands) along the Rio Grande, a beautiful area that features abundant wildlife and large cottonwood trees.
The Bosque has remained open safely throughout COVID-19 and has provided a much-needed refuge during the pandemic. Highlights along the way include Los Poblanos, The Rio Grande Nature Center, The Albuquerque BioPark, Bike in Coffee at Old Town Farm, Sheehan Winery, Boxing Bear Brewery, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
ROUTES offers a full range of bicycle rentals, guided tours, and maintenance services from our shop in nearby Historic Old Town.
#2) Sandoval County – Placitas, Mariposa FatBike Trails & White Mesa
Sandoval County is situated between Albuquerque and Santa Fe and serves as a gateway to the unique Sandia and Jemez mountain ranges.
To the east is Placitas, a historic village and residential area first settled by the Spanish around 1765. The City of Albuquerque has established a 560-acre open space here that features an extensive network of mountain bike / hiking trails with varied terrain and AWESOME high-desert views.
To the west are the Mariposa Fat Bike Trails and (further in) the White Ridge Trail System (and White Mesa) that offer some epic descents, slot canyons / rock formations, and endless mountain biking fun.
Local highlights include the Placitas Café, Bosque Brewing North, The Range Café, Second Alarm Brewhouse, Bandelier National Monument, and a variety of volcanic hot springs & spas in the Jemez Mountains.
Bring your mountain bike in for repairs or rent one from Routes and hit the trails today!
#3) Santa Fe: River & Rail Trails
The River Trail is one of our favorite places to lead bicycle tours, as it begins at the historic Santuario de Guadalupe near downtown (the Santuario is free to enter, and definitely worth a visit too) and quickly whisks us away from the city and into the natural environment of the Santa Fe riverbed.
The Trail provides awesome views of the Sangre de Christo Mountains, and connects bicyclists and pedestrians to Santa Fe’s Siler-Rufina Nexus / Creative Innovation District (SRN) which is home to art installations and organizations such as Meow Wolf and Wise Fool New Mexico.
From this neighborhood, it’s possible to do a quick (and safe) urban loop through town to connect with the Rail Trail, which parallels the local commuter trial (The Rail Runner) and takes you back toward downtown and through Santa Fe’s hip & happening Railyard District.
While you’re riding, be sure to check out Tumbleroot Distillery, Second Street Brewery, The Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, Chili Line Brewing, Iconik Coffee Roasters, and La Choza Restaurant.
Routes also offers a range of award-winning guided bicycle tours (seasonally, March thru November) to showcase the City of Santa Fe in-depth.
#4) Turquoise Trail: The Scenic “Hidden” Route between ABQ & Santa Fe
The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway is one of our favorite day trips and areas to explore in all of New Mexico.
This Byway encompasses 15,000 square miles of high desert/forested landscapes and links the Albuquerque Metro to Santa Fe (approximately 50 miles, 65 from Downtown Albuquerque) through the Sandia Mountains – it’s also perfectly ridable on a road bike along Highway 14.
Our favorite areas to explore with tour guests are Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos; and we also love to visit Tinkertown Museum.
Each of these communities/attractions offers a completely different, but amazing experience.
- Golden is a living “ghost town” today but offers a beautiful adobe church/churchyard and the Henderson General Store, which has been family-owned since 1918.
- Madrid has transformed into a unique arts/gallery/restaurant community since the 1970’s, and we LOVE to eat at The Hollar Restaurant, enjoy a drink at the notorious Mineshaft Tavern, and snap a few themed pictures at Connie’s Photo Park.
- In Cerrillos, riding or walking down main street will take you back to the Wild West, and a visit to Cerrillos Hills State Park for an interpretive hike is an awesome way to learn more about the area’s natural history.
Rent a road bike and do the Turquoise Trail yourself; or join us in 2021, when Routes will debut a NEW Turquoise Trail bicycle experience package encompasses all this and more!
Get Out There and Ride New Mexico!
We feel bicycles are the perfect “cure” for breaking the quarantine blues, and New Mexico is one of the best places in the world to ride them!
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist, someone who is looking to get back into the saddle, or it’s your first time on two wheels, ROUTES is always here to support you.
Our shop in Albuquerque offers a full range of bicycle tours, rentals, maintenance services, parts, unique apparel, and lifestyle accessories for your convenience.
Albuquerque bike tours have already re-started from our Old Town location, and our Santa Fe bicycle tour series will resume on July 1, 2020 from the historic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel.
We are also excited to introduce a range of new “satellite” tours and unique experiences around the entire state for 2021 including Taos and Jemez Springs.
Where are your favorite places to ride? Found any new favorites? Still in “lock down”? Let us know in the comments below.
