Twelve months, 12 hikes, we think it’s a challenge you’ll enjoy because there are so many scenic hiking trails in New Mexico. If you are looking for a few reasons to get inspired before your next hike, you are in luck. And you are in the right place. New Mexico has some of the country’s best hiking trails, no matter the season!
January: Alkali Flat Trail
Dan Griffin/AllTrails Start your year off with a memorable one! Alkali Flat Trail is nearly 5 miles, located in the stunningly-beautiful White Sands National Park. Alkali Flat Trailhead, Tularosa, NM 88352, USA
February: Carlsbad Caverns
Kyle Whitehurst/AllTrails The Carlsbad Caverns take you through a 1.2-mile loop through the cave where you can see stalactites and stalagmites. Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance, New Mexico 88220, USA
March: Dripping Springs Trail
Sue Batzel/AllTrails Dripping Springs Trail is a moderate hike to a waterfall. It is only three miles long and is accessible year-round. There are also ruins at the top of the trail to explore. Dripping Springs Trail, New Mexico 88011, USA
April: La Luz Trail
Alana Babington/AllTrails La Luz Trail is the longest trail on this list. At 13.3 miles, hiking this trail is like running a half-marathon, but will encourage you to keep hiking for the rest of the year. La Luz Trail, Albuquerque, NM, USA
May: Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake Trail
Zach DuPont/AllTrails This is a long 8.5-mile hike located near Taos Ski Valley, and leads you to the tallest point in New Mexico! Wheeler Peak Trail, Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, USA
June: Atalaya Mountain Trail
Francis Chaten/AllTrails Atalaya Mountain Trail is a 6.2-mile hike in the beautiful Santa Fe National Forest. Atalaya Mountain, New Mexico 87505, USA
July: Deception Peak and Lake Peak
Patrick Kerwick/AllTrails Deception Peak and Lake Peak is a difficult 6.6-mile trail for the middle of your year. Your prior hikes should have prepared you for this one which involves scrambling over rocks and difficult terrain. Deception Peak, Glorieta, NM 87535, USA
August: Jemez Falls Trail
Rose Trujillo/AllTrails Jemez Falls Trail is a short walk, (less than a mile), that will take you to a beautiful triple waterfall. This is a perfect trail if you are short on time or just want a relaxing walk. Jemez Falls Trailhead, East Fork River, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA
September: McCauley Hot Springs
Bien Stro/AllTrails McCauley Hot Springs has it all: a waterfall, forest, and hot springs for you to relax in at your destination. McCauley Spring, New Mexico 87025, USA
October: Aldo Leopold Loop Trail
Jack Cash/AllTrails Aldo Leopold Loop Trail is located outside beautiful and charming Albuquerque, NM. It is a nice easy flat trail perfect for a leisurely stroll. It’s also a popular biking trail. Aldo Leopold Trail, Paseo del Bosque Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87107, USA
November: Nambe Lake Trail
Lizzy DG/AllTrails Nambe Lake is a crowd favorite. There’s a difficult 6.7-mile trail that is popular with hikers and snowshoers. But oh so worth it when that fresh powder falls. Nambe Trail, Corrales, NM 87048, USA
December: Picacho Peak Trail
Courtney Shaw/AllTrails Round out your year with the last of our featured New Mexico hikes. Located outside Santa Fe, Picacho Peak Trail is a 3.8-mile hike that is just beautiful when covered in snow. As you gaze out over the snow-covered mountains from a scenic outlook and take in the crisp fresh air, you’ll know you just completed a fantastic year of some of the best trails in New Mexico. Picacho Peak, New Mexico 87040, USA
These are just a few of the scenic hiking trails in New Mexico. If you complete all these hikes, you can officially call yourself a serious hiker! You are also probably geared up to keep going. Here are a few more amazing hiking trails in New Mexico with breathtaking views. Be sure to let us know which one is your favorite!
Dan Griffin/AllTrails
Start your year off with a memorable one! Alkali Flat Trail is nearly 5 miles, located in the stunningly-beautiful White Sands National Park.
Alkali Flat Trailhead, Tularosa, NM 88352, USA
Kyle Whitehurst/AllTrails
The Carlsbad Caverns take you through a 1.2-mile loop through the cave where you can see stalactites and stalagmites.
Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance, New Mexico 88220, USA
Sue Batzel/AllTrails
Dripping Springs Trail is a moderate hike to a waterfall. It is only three miles long and is accessible year-round. There are also ruins at the top of the trail to explore.
Dripping Springs Trail, New Mexico 88011, USA
Alana Babington/AllTrails
La Luz Trail is the longest trail on this list. At 13.3 miles, hiking this trail is like running a half-marathon, but will encourage you to keep hiking for the rest of the year.
La Luz Trail, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Zach DuPont/AllTrails
This is a long 8.5-mile hike located near Taos Ski Valley, and leads you to the tallest point in New Mexico!
Wheeler Peak Trail, Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, USA
Francis Chaten/AllTrails
Atalaya Mountain Trail is a 6.2-mile hike in the beautiful Santa Fe National Forest.
Atalaya Mountain, New Mexico 87505, USA
Patrick Kerwick/AllTrails
Deception Peak and Lake Peak is a difficult 6.6-mile trail for the middle of your year. Your prior hikes should have prepared you for this one which involves scrambling over rocks and difficult terrain.
Deception Peak, Glorieta, NM 87535, USA
Rose Trujillo/AllTrails
Jemez Falls Trail is a short walk, (less than a mile), that will take you to a beautiful triple waterfall. This is a perfect trail if you are short on time or just want a relaxing walk.
Jemez Falls Trailhead, East Fork River, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA
Bien Stro/AllTrails
McCauley Hot Springs has it all: a waterfall, forest, and hot springs for you to relax in at your destination.
McCauley Spring, New Mexico 87025, USA
Jack Cash/AllTrails
Aldo Leopold Loop Trail is located outside beautiful and charming Albuquerque, NM. It is a nice easy flat trail perfect for a leisurely stroll. It’s also a popular biking trail.
Aldo Leopold Trail, Paseo del Bosque Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87107, USA
Lizzy DG/AllTrails
Nambe Lake is a crowd favorite. There’s a difficult 6.7-mile trail that is popular with hikers and snowshoers. But oh so worth it when that fresh powder falls.
Nambe Trail, Corrales, NM 87048, USA
Courtney Shaw/AllTrails
Round out your year with the last of our featured New Mexico hikes. Located outside Santa Fe, Picacho Peak Trail is a 3.8-mile hike that is just beautiful when covered in snow. As you gaze out over the snow-covered mountains from a scenic outlook and take in the crisp fresh air, you’ll know you just completed a fantastic year of some of the best trails in New Mexico.
Picacho Peak, New Mexico 87040, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Even more scenic hiking trails in New Mexico December 18, 2022 Chris Muras Where is the best hiking in New Mexico? The best hiking in New Mexico is right under your feet. Hiking in New Mexico is an adventure in exploration so no matter what type of terrain you are looking for you’ll find it. From deep caverns, sand dune deserts, snow-covered mountains, stunning lake hikes, and even a forest of tall swaying aspens await you in New Mexico. Here are some of the best hiking trails in New Mexico to get you started:
- Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
- Catwalk National Recreation Trail, Gila National Forest
- Cave Creek Trail, Pecos Wilderness
- Crater Rim Trail, Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Dripping Springs Trail, Las Cruces
- Fourth of July Trail, Cibola National Forest
- Holy Ghost Creek Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
- Junction Cave, El Malpais National Monument Learn more about these eight hiking trails and a few more New Mexico hidden hiking gems in this article. And then set some time on your calendar to go on a hiking adventure. What are some lesser-known state parks in New Mexico? We’ve heard about White Sands National Park in New Mexico, but there are some amazing state parks in New Mexico that are just as beautiful. Here is a list of seven lesser-known state parks in New Mexico for your next vacation or hiking trip:
- Bottomless Lakes State Park, Roswell, NM
- Cimarron Canyon State Park, Eagle Nest, NM
- Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, Las Cruces, NM
- Manzano Mountains State Park, Mountainair, NM
- Morphy Lake State Park, Mora, NM
- Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM
- Villanueva State Park, Villanueva, NM See photos and learn more about these beautiful state parks in New Mexico. Then lace up those boots and get out on those trails.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Even more scenic hiking trails in New Mexico
December 18, 2022
Chris Muras
Where is the best hiking in New Mexico? The best hiking in New Mexico is right under your feet. Hiking in New Mexico is an adventure in exploration so no matter what type of terrain you are looking for you’ll find it. From deep caverns, sand dune deserts, snow-covered mountains, stunning lake hikes, and even a forest of tall swaying aspens await you in New Mexico. Here are some of the best hiking trails in New Mexico to get you started:
- Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
- Catwalk National Recreation Trail, Gila National Forest
- Cave Creek Trail, Pecos Wilderness
- Crater Rim Trail, Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Dripping Springs Trail, Las Cruces
- Fourth of July Trail, Cibola National Forest
- Holy Ghost Creek Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
- Junction Cave, El Malpais National Monument Learn more about these eight hiking trails and a few more New Mexico hidden hiking gems in this article. And then set some time on your calendar to go on a hiking adventure. What are some lesser-known state parks in New Mexico? We’ve heard about White Sands National Park in New Mexico, but there are some amazing state parks in New Mexico that are just as beautiful. Here is a list of seven lesser-known state parks in New Mexico for your next vacation or hiking trip:
- Bottomless Lakes State Park, Roswell, NM
- Cimarron Canyon State Park, Eagle Nest, NM
- Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, Las Cruces, NM
- Manzano Mountains State Park, Mountainair, NM
- Morphy Lake State Park, Mora, NM
- Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM
- Villanueva State Park, Villanueva, NM See photos and learn more about these beautiful state parks in New Mexico. Then lace up those boots and get out on those trails.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The best hiking in New Mexico is right under your feet. Hiking in New Mexico is an adventure in exploration so no matter what type of terrain you are looking for you’ll find it. From deep caverns, sand dune deserts, snow-covered mountains, stunning lake hikes, and even a forest of tall swaying aspens await you in New Mexico. Here are some of the best hiking trails in New Mexico to get you started:
- Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
- Catwalk National Recreation Trail, Gila National Forest
- Cave Creek Trail, Pecos Wilderness
- Crater Rim Trail, Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Dripping Springs Trail, Las Cruces
- Fourth of July Trail, Cibola National Forest
- Holy Ghost Creek Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
- Junction Cave, El Malpais National Monument
Learn more about these eight hiking trails and a few more New Mexico hidden hiking gems in this article. And then set some time on your calendar to go on a hiking adventure.
What are some lesser-known state parks in New Mexico?
We’ve heard about White Sands National Park in New Mexico, but there are some amazing state parks in New Mexico that are just as beautiful. Here is a list of seven lesser-known state parks in New Mexico for your next vacation or hiking trip:
- Bottomless Lakes State Park, Roswell, NM
- Cimarron Canyon State Park, Eagle Nest, NM
- Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, Las Cruces, NM
- Manzano Mountains State Park, Mountainair, NM
- Morphy Lake State Park, Mora, NM
- Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM
- Villanueva State Park, Villanueva, NM
See photos and learn more about these beautiful state parks in New Mexico. Then lace up those boots and get out on those trails.
