What a great day we had a with Tom from GSWA. We are a group that likes to learn and Tom quenched…read morethat thirst. He was so knowledgeable about the area, the history, the geology and the people north of Santa Fe. We highly recommend GSWA and it's wonderful team. A special thanks to LaVonne for making it happen on very short notice!

My wife and I had a fantastic experience with Monique of Great Southwest Tours of the Taos, New…read moreMexico area. Our guide Monique pointed out the topography of the region as well as of all the tribal lands and the history of those tribes. Sante Fe has a rich history and Monique's highlighting of the history was incredibly enriching. Touring with Monique in the Toas area was so wonderful that we felt like we were back in college, we learned so much. When we plan next trip to the Sante Fe, New Mexico we will schedule a tour of the area with Great Southwest Tours and ask for Monique as our guide. Having a knowledgeable guide like Monique will surely make your visit just as memorable.

During our annual winter road trip from Austin to Taos, we take as many opportunities as possible…read moreto stretch our legs and take in some beautiful New Mexico landscapes, especially after a great local meal. We chose one of the trails at La Tierra because it was near our location after our tasty late lunch at the original Pantry diner and would put us on the correct side of town to easily continue our journey north on Highway 84 to our lodging at Embudo (north of Espanola). From a peek at the trail system map from Santa Fe Conservation Trust (SFCT, https://sfct.org/la-tierra-trails/), it looked like the La Cuchara trailhead (off 599 aka Veteran's Memorial Highway, behind Unity Santa Fe church) would be our best option, as we could access the roughly 3-mile Ridgetop Loop that would give us a bit of elevation gain with lovely views of the mountains in every direction. If you wanna follow our path, start at the trailhead (designated by marker "TH" throughout the park) and proceed through these numbered markers: 24, 21, 17, 16, 14, 12, 11, 25, and back to the trailhead. This was a mild winter Sunday afternoon, with temps in the low-40s, breezy, and partly sunny. There was a bit of leftover snow here and there, but the single-track terrain was primarily sandy and rocky with minimal mud, a good thing, since we were in our street shoes. We encountered only 2 other parties during our 1-hour outing, one guy on a mountain bike, and a couple walking their 4 dogs (off-leash, grrrr, but thankfully, harmless). The La Tierra Trails system has over 25 miles within 1.5k acres and is rated for multi-use by hikers, cyclists, and horses, plus a small section for motorcycles and ATVs at Buckman Track. Trail runners can also enjoy this trail system, with caution for the abundant cacti. Mountain bikers and BMX riders can have extra fun with some technical trail sections, jumps, and terrain obstacles created just for them; they even get an annual event during Santa Fe Bike Month (August) here, the La Tierra Torture race https://www.core-crew.com/la-tierra-torture-4-27 . Good to know: There are no restrooms or other comfort facilities (at least near the trailhead and path we took). We did notice signs about the risk of car break-ins and shattered window glass on the ground, but no one broke into our car while we were on the trail.

We loved hiking out here, nice and secluded, well marked trails that were easy to follow. All the…read moretrail markers had the full map to help you orient. Very good scenery. There were a couple places that were a little steep but most of the trail was very reasonable grade wise. We took a two mile or so loop from the calabasas trailhead, but there are a bunch of different trail heads to start from and options to go. Some are horse and bike friendly, some not. Bring water with you! There isn't any place to get it nearby.

I really loved this trail! This trail is not for the faint of heart or the beginner. It's a…read morechallenge but a good challenge. You can go at your own pace and you'll get to see all the beautiful butterflies and other creatures. Huge area and very clean. Great for camping, picnics, and hiking.

It was so nice! I'd recommend going the first week of October, we went October 18th and it was…read morepast peak so some of the trees were already bare. But still, super nice, a bit chilly, but an amazing way to start a Sunday morning with the puppers The AllTrails map has you do a loop, but we did it as an out and back and hiked 2.5 miles in before turning around on the less steep side.

In the July heat, I could hear the birds more than I could see them but it was still fun to take…read morethe short trail hikes and use the Merlin app (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) to figure out what birds we were hearing. Closer to the center you'll have a chance to see the birds that visit the hanging bird feeders and you can stroll the garden that has labelled flowers and plants. The docent led tour of the Randall Davey house and studio is interesting if you are there on a Friday and is a great way to support the Center.

I had a lovely visit to this free (I know, free!!) Center and really enjoyed the short hike and…read moreviews. A good spot to visit if you have some time to kill or are with kids and want a easy and super short hike.

Atalaya Trail is a very serviceable and enjoyable trail.  It's just the right length for an…read moreafternoon (or morning) hike, and it offers just enough elevation gain that you won't be bored by the level of endeavor required.  That said, apart from the views you'll be rewarded with when you're here, there's not a whole lot else of interest to see during your visit. Tip: This is a popular destination for both hikers and cyclists; both of the aforementioned need to keep their eyes peeled for their opposite numbers; hikers especially need to exercise caution to avoid being hit by oblivious cyclists. I've been here several times recently, and very much enjoy myself each time.  I've found that the views (especially from the top) are very rewarding.  Because it's very easily accessible from all over the area, the trail can sometimes get very crowded; it's best to visit either in the early morning or at off-peak hours to optimize avoid the crowds. The trail winds through the Cruz Blanca neighborhood before rapidly ascending up the side of Atalaya Mountain; it eventually reaches a height of just over nine thousand feet.  While the final stretch is quite gravelly and steep, the views from the top are totally worth it!

Part of the Dale Ball trail system, that include the Dorothy Stewart and Wilderness Trailheads. The…read moreparking lot near after entry for St John's college is the largest and furthest away. Drive up Camino Cruz Blanca and save yourself the 1.5 walk along the road past $1MM homes to these other trailheads. As with everything Dale Ball creates, this is a superbly marked trail system that allows the hiker to plan and tailor their experience. I made a bee-line to the summit of Mt. Picacho. Beautiful vista, but I'll need to return for a sunset and very carefully make my way down the steeper parts of a darkening trail.

A great spot for an easy hike around Santa Fe…read more I mean truly, a beautiful hike, and not hard at all. I had been looking for one that my gal would like. She likes a good walk but isnt looking for soemthign that would be literally back breaking. I hadn't hiked Arroyo myself yet but I knew it was one she would like as I knew the terrain in that area. so we went out early-ish on a Saturday(before the sun really kicked in). There's a nice parking area that I think I could find in the dark. From there We grabbed our hiking poles and went straight out(there is a side path too but we didn't go that way). It was a beautiful walk amongst the trees and sometimes wide open ridge lines. We saw a few other hikers and joggers, but not many. It was the type of hike I could really enjoying once a week, if only I lived locally. But we will be back for sure for a hike again soon to this great spot.

Beautiful short trail with wide open views of Santa Fe, decent amount of parking, porta potty, and…read morenot very busy! The loop is a little less than two miles long and has minor elevation gains and dips throughout. Great for beginners still acclimating to the altitude or for anyone looking for a nice and easy walk to admire Santa Fe's environment. I was lucky enough to visit during cactus bloom season which made this trail extra special!

Beautiful trail with great views. A little rocky in some areas but a good incline overall and nice…read moreoption for a hike or trail run. It is in a residential area and the only parking is right in front of the trailhead with room for about 4 cars. We got lucky and the 4th spot was available when we arrived! Worth a visit! Near downtown so an easy trail for visitors staying at hotels to check out!

The trailhead for this beautiful and easy 1.9-mile loop hike is about 3/4 miles above St. John's…read moreCollege on Santa Fe's eastside. The trail affords great views of the north end of Santa Fe and the Jemez Mountains. There are frequently lizards and horned toads along the trail edges. Although the trailhead parking lot is small (4 cars), there is roadside parking near St. John's College.

Santa Fe Footprints is a veteran-owned and operated tour agency providing guided walking tours,…read morehikes, and outdoor experiences across parts of Northern New Mexico. Led by veteran guide Bob Ackenhausen and local naturalist Terry, the company focuses on delivering insights into the region's unique architecture, diverse culture, history, and natural ecology. I took a friend's suggestions and booked an historical walking tour of the Plaza area of Santa Fe on our first morning here. I've been to Santa Fe several times over the years, but individual touring often doesn't go deep enough as you sometimes walk by something without much thought. Some examples of that during our Santa Fe Footprints tour was Burro Alley, the Spitz Clock, and the Solders Monument. Our guide for our 2 hour deep dive was Terry. We were impressed with his knowledge and insights, and I'm sure Gayle and I will see him again when we return to Santa Fe next year. Other choices may include the Botanical Garden, History Museum, Bandelier, and other "hidden" treasures.

Let me preface this by saying my husband and I have been to Santa Fe many times…read more For a change, we decided to do a historical walking tour. Bob Ackenhausen and Santa Fe footprints were fantastic. First off, Bob is super responsive to email and texts. Bob greeted us at Henry and the Fish at 900am. He's relaxed and puts you at ease. The next two hours were delightful. We learned so much American, Spanish and Mexican history. It was not a lot of walking however there were so many interesting tidbits along his route. Bob is extremely knowledgeable and we totally recommend him. Santa Fe is a wonderful town and thanks to Bob, we'll have wonderful memories!!!