Spring is in full bloom and the weather in Albuquerque is perfect for outside activities. No doubt you need to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, and there's no better way to do that than a good hike through Albuquerque's hiking trails. You'll get more than just good exercise. You'll discover a wonderful world of volcanic terrain, intertwining dirt trails in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, and a complex trail system suited for all skill levels in the Cibola National Forest.

Here's a few of the top places to hike in the Albuquerque area:

The Sandia Mountain Foothills

The Sandia Mountains are easily accessible from Albuquerque. With 2650 acres and miles of trails, there's plenty of open space to explore. Here's a complete list of trailhead access points. Some of the trails include the following:

  • Foothills Trail 365
  • Embudito Trail 192
  • Lower La Luz Trail
  • Grassy Hills Loop

The Sandia Mountains / Cibola National Forest

On the Eastern face of the Sandia Foothills you'll find the Cibola National Forest, with clearly marked trails for all skill levels of hiker. You can find a full list of trails at fs.usda.gov. Many of these trail-heads are accessible from the Sandia Peak Scenic Byway (Highway 528).

Some of the best trails in the Cibola National Forest are:

  • Cienega Canyon Picnic Site & Interpretive Trail
  • La Luz Trail
  • The Sandia Crest Trail
  • North Crest Trail
  • 10k Trailhead
  • Tree Springs Trailhead

The Rio Grande Bosque Trails

If you want to hike a great trail right in the city, the Rio Grande Bosque Trails offer you 16 miles of paved paths, with no interaction with roadways. And if you want to stray more off the beaten path, you can venture off on one of the dirt trails that connect to the paved walkway. You can connect with the other dirt trails that intertwine with each other to make it a different adventure every visit.

West Mesa Hiking

On the west side of Albuquerque, you can explore the volcanic features that are host to ancient Native American Petroglyph National Monument. Step back in time thousands of years, while also getting a grand view of the modern city that lies just below. There are an estimated 24,000 images carved into these rocks, so you'll have an endless journey of discovery. You can view these ancient drawings from 3 of the 4 trails in the monument area.

The Paseo De Las Mesa Trail offers a panoramic view of Albuquerque and 4 miles of paved hiking paths, along with trails that branch off and intersect with each other to offer an variety of hiking experiences.

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