This was amazing, I had fun hiking the whole day! Me and my friends decided to hike this trail. Be aware that there is a restaurant on the top and a tram to get down. I took the tram instead of hiking down. The trail is around 7-8 miles, with steep switchback my friends call "Switchback Hell". I had a blast hiking on that trail. I will come again with more people. read more

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Always a fun time. Very defined trail. Great views although they can get a bit repetitive after a point. Personally never felt this trail to be hard. Lots of rock slides, but if you have decent balance you should be good. Parking is free with the national park pass, otherwise it's paid parking- couple bucks. If you are going to take the tram down after hiking up, know that dogs aren't allowed on the tram. And the tram ends at a different point/ so either park a car at each end or be prepared to hike 2.5-3 miles back from there to La Luz trailhead (which can be brutal in summer) read more

I want to gatekeep this trail because it's so peaceful and quiet, with not a lot of foot traffic--if any. Make sure to take plenty of water, a snack, and sunscreen or hat. read more

Did most of this on a weekend morning the second weekend of April, got to the parking lot around 8AM, $3 parking fee. Not too many people on the trail when we were going up, not too steep. Ran into a bit of packed snow that was slippery and icy, so didn't get to the top. On the way down, saw some runners and other hikers. Great hike! Loved the part of the trail that went more into the mountains. read more

Hot damn. The Sandias sure are flipping gaw-geous!! Since my parents moved to Albuquerque and I heard about the La Luz Trail, I have been wanting to hike to Sandia Peak via this trail. But since my visits tend to happen around Christmas, I haven't gotten the chance until now! Too much snow and ice! My most recent visit happened in the middle of April, which is still a potentially dicey time for the trail, weather-wise. And we encountered some snow and ice between mile 5 and 7. I would have felt better with crampons and hiking sticks....but it was passable, with only minor anxiety and panic attacking on my part. We had my parents drop us off at the trailhead. There are facilities available at the start. They were the cleanest permanent port-a-potties I have *EVER* seen. I think they had just been cleaned/sprayed down. The trail is quite a climb. But I expected it to be more difficult. That isn't to say it was easy by any means...but I think most people, with ample water and time, can certainly handle the trail up until about mile 5. That is where things get intense. The trail becomes more rugged, sometimes a stretch of giant rocks, more switchbacks and a quicker ascent. And then, depending on the time of year....there is a much higher chance of snow and ice....despite it being 80 degrees at ground level. You can be better prepared than I was with good hiking shoes and poles/sticks. If you are like me and don't have those things...you might be able to power through it. The trail is easy to follow. And the higher up on the mountain you go, the nicer the other hikers you run in to are. And the views are to die for! Give yourself plenty of time, bring plenty of water, and enjoy nature! read more

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Wonderful sunset hike with the kids. Beautiful terrain and spectacular views. Not well suited for out of shape hikers... it's kinda steep right off the bat, lots of switchbacks, but it doesn't stop being uphill! It's seven miles to the top... we didn't make it. We hiked up for 45 minutes and hiked back down for 30. It was fun jogging down, but there are some craggy rocks that'll trip you up if you're not particularly agile. Still, terrific vistas at every turn, and fantastic views of the city as the twinkling lights started lighting up at dusk. As with most foothill trails, not particularly shady, but the ridge line keeps you somewhat protected from the sun when it's not high noon. read more

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We did not get too far on our hike. We did not start until 6 p.m. either.important thing is we were out there enjoying nature and had a great time. The weather was perfect. No wind, a little cooler just right for hiking. The views from up here are amazing. There is two parts of the la Luz trail. If you enjoy hiking download the app all trails. Is free to use I've had it for years. If you look on the app there's two parts of the la Luz trail. when is rated moderate the other one is rated hard. read more

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I just came back from La Luz hike and it was enjoyable. I took a tram to be up here on the Sandia but never had a chance to hike up. We parked our car at the tramway and made our way to the La Luz trailhead (less than 3 miles). Once on the La Luz trail, first 4 miles is easy. In fact, trail is well maintained and perfect for trail runs. I saw several trail runners. With around 7,000 feet in elevation at the trailhead, perfect place to get training. Once you pass around 4 miles mark, trail changes to more narrow with beautiful trees and rock formations. This was my favorite area, I enjoyed taking pictures and scenery. After 6.4 miles mark, it gets a bit tricky with landslide remains and more switch back. I was glad I had a very good pair of hiking boots and poles. Last one mile was not so enjoyable. I knew it's going to end soon, and kept thinking about ice cold beer at the High Finance restaurant at the top. I just wanted to be done with walking. What's so unique about this hike is that you have an option to take a tram back. Instead of walking 7-8 miles down. I hang out at the bar for a while with cold drink in my hand, just enjoyed this high altitude for a while before taking the tram back down ($15). Trail is rated difficult but with the right gears, I thought hiking itself wasn't difficult. read more

La Luz Trail - La Luz trail - Hiking Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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After having spent most of 2018 in Europe for work, when I arrived in Albuquerque I decided to treat myself to some R&R before getting down to business. First up, I set out for hike on the La Luz Trail. Tip: If you climb to the top you'll experience an altitude gain of just over thirty-six hundred feet, starting with a trailhead elevation of seven thousand feet and ending with an elevation of ten thousand five hundred feet at the summit. While there are things to enjoy about this venue year-round, I think the best time of year for this hike is in the Spring and Fall, when there's no snow on the ground and the heat isn't too grueling. There are quite a lot of switchbacks along the trail, which makes the ascent relatively easy. I took my time and enjoyed some truly spectacular views along the way; to the West, you'll see Mt. Taylor, which is approximately 70 miles away. As you ascend, there are several places where crossing rockfalls makes things just a tad tedious, but the overall hiking experience and the incredible views make this an excursion that's incredibly worth doing! As a bonus for making it to the top, you'll be able to ride down on one of the world's longest passenger trams back to the bottom of the mountain. Riding the tram is an experience in and of itself - it's simply not to be missed. The beauty of this venue really energizes both novice and serious hikers alike, and the distance seems shorter than it is as a result. I look forward to returning now that I've relocated to Albuquerque. read more

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It has been over 6 months and it's time to knock out this trail review. This might be one of my favorite trails ever. While there was a bit of danger involved in mid-April, I easily want to make my way back up this mountain. Others already mentioned it but you definitely need to take plenty of water and expect to stop somewhere along the trail to eat a small lunch. There are perfect places half way up to stop for a little while and eat. The trail in itself is 8-9 miles(seems longer) with a climb of 7,000-10,378 feet. The highest point is 10,678 if you opt to go left at the junction to Sandia Crest. The first five miles you wind through the desert and you start to wonder why you're on this trail to begin with. Winding through the desert is the easy part. If you aren't physically up to making it to the top, you should at least take the first five miles to the first overlook before turning around. The first five also consists of lots of foot traffic. You see people coming, going, and coming back. You can tell that many people venture to the first overlook before turning around by how much water most of those people weren't carrying... so underprepared even for five miles. Past the first five is where you'll start encountering the seasoned hikers/backpackers. The ones that are friendly. The ones that have stared death in the face. The ones that will strike up a conversation and talk to you all afternoon if you wish. After the first five, the difficulty increases. Giant rocks to climb over from rock slides, steep inclines with the changing landscape. Before you know it, you're hitting pine tree forests, cold air, and snow! We were there during April and there was still snow but during other summer months, I think the snow is slim. After the forest and as you reach the top, it's back to desert landscape to complete the trek to the tram. If you intend on climbing up and coming back down, allow yourself plenty of time. The cooler air does help with breathing as you continue your climb. In between miles 5 and 7, we encountered ice and snow. At times, losing our foothold would've surely sent us barreling over the hill and on to rough rocks. You should also allow for extra time in case you do encounter snow. Those two miles definitely took us longer than the rest of the trail since we had to account for the snow and ice. I'll never forget this trail. When climbing over rocks and through snow, make sure you don't forget to stop and look back. Enjoy the views and scenery of this mountain. It's easy to forget why you hike/backpack when dealing with varying weather. I'll never forget the moment we were climbing over large rocks and I looked over my shoulder to the left and my breath was taken away. Giant mountains, cliffs, and rock walls galore. Completely breathtaking. I remember experiencing that only to yell Kathy's way to make her stop and look up. She was quite astounded too. read more

Without a doubt the best hiking trail in Albuquerque. It's not an incredibly long trail, but it is very very steep and would not say it's for the light hearted. beginner or intermediate hikers should be well prepared and ready for the elements. I've done this hike in the summer and in the winter and while it is doable, I'd say the best time to do this hike is in the fall or spring. Still only a one day hike I'd say anyone can do this. It just depends on how much energy do you wanna put into this grueling hike one cool aspect is if you park at the tram trail head you can hike up and take the tram down which is a pretty cool and unique aspect to this beautiful trail. Make sure you got good shoes and plenty of water because this is a gnarly one. You'll definitely be feeling it tomorrow! What? read more

Has become one of my favorite trails (and of course this iconic trail is something a New Mexican has to do at least once in their lifetime). It's best to start early (in case of thunderstorms and/or heat), watch out for snakes, bring plenty of sunscreen, snacks, and water, and make sure to occasionally enjoy the view. There are some shaded areas along the way and some boulder fields (possibly snow depending on how early/late you do it in the season). I couldn't imagine running this like some crazy people do (no offense). Took us about 8 hours to the top and took the tram down. Overall, a great day. Would I do it more often? Heck no read more

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I heard about this trail from my girlfriend. I love a good nature hike, especially with my family. We packed snacks for the kids along with a sandwich and water bottle for each one placed them in their own lil back pack. Definitely put on sun screen, take a pair of sunglasses along with a hat. Also have plenty of water and a first aid kit. Because the it does get very hot. If you have breathing issues and use a nebulizer pack that as well. We drove to the top and went on a mine hike. The kids were ages 3-6 years old. They absolutely love the view just as much as us adults. They liked looking at the plants and picking up the various things around them, you can only walk around for so long before the youngest got tired and hot wanting to go back to car. This is a nice way to get out with the family and not have to pay to visit. read more

La Luz Trail - Hiking Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This trail is amazing. But it is also the most physically difficult thing I have ever done. It takes 7 hours from tram station to top. (This is 10 miles & about 10,000 feet up.) I feel like I took 3 ballet classes by the time I finish. Bring A LOT of water, food & snacks. It's cold on top,so bring a hat. Bring a bandaid in case you get a blister too. Start by 11am if you want to do it. I did it in May and November, it was fine both months. (I am glad I had a sweatshirt for the top!) It's amazing & beautiful! They said it's $10k to emergency rescue you if you can't make it, so don't get dehydrated or injured. Be smart & careful & know your limits. If you leave earlier you can rest a little more which is nice. The views really are unforgettable. read more

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This hike was definitely the highlight of my trip to ABQ. I'm from the Northeast, and I was eager to see some nice landscape and also get some exercise in- La Luz seemed to be a perfect option, and it was not as hard as some of the websites made it out to be. This trail was marked as "Hard" and "Strenuous," but we both agreed it was Medium at most, but maybe more taxing due to the altitude change(up to ~10,000 ft up top) and the distance (about 9 miles). We went last weekend, and the recommended month frame for hiking is Spring to Fall. The last few miles of the trail were really icy, and sometimes the trail was really narrow and dangerous. There is about a mile of knee-deep snow at a decent incline around Mile 6. The beginning of the trail was dry and desert-terrain-y. Few tips: - bring ample water - bring food/snacks/power bars (there is a Valero gas station and store before the trail, but obviously pricey) - bring an extra jacket for the end of the trail - if taking the tram back down, park at the parking lot of the tram, not at the La Luz trailhead (we lacked this common sense tidbit) - if you are taking the tram, don't bring your dog - if you are taking the tram, try not to make it to the top around 3-4 PM because skiers will be taking the tram and you will have to wait in line for awhile (tram every 20-30 mins) - bring $3 cash for day parking permit (no cashier, exact change needed) - hiking boots are probably useful, but we were fine with our running shoes There was no incline where I had to be on all fours. I think the hardest part came around Mile 7 because I was ready to be done with it and not because I was physically tired. That being said, we are almost-daily gym goers so we weren't totally out of shape. It took us a little over 4 hours to the top. read more

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If you want absolutely breathtaking scenery of the Sandias, this is the place to be! I was in awe of the views. This 7-mile uphill hike was definitely worth it. I went this past Memorial Day and the weather was fairly warm, probably around 80-85 degrees. Bring a lot of water and a small lunch. There are plenty of places to stop and eat, and believe me, you're going to need a break and some energy replenishment. Now, I'm not even close to being a seasoned hiker, and I see where people are coming from when they say it is a very advanced trail, but I honestly didn't have as hard a time as I thought I would. It definitely is physically challenging, but as long as you're somewhat fit, I think you'll do just fine. Now if you were to just decide to go on this hike without any prior exercise at all, I'm sure you would have a lot of trouble. My Australian Shepherd came along with me and didn't have many issues. If you're looking to bring your pup along, I suggest that they are also in somewhat good shape and fairly well-behaved. A lot of the trail is right off some pretty steep drops, so make sure your dog knows to stay on track and listens to you when needed. The terrain starts off as regular NM desert-y foothills. As you get further up, you start to be covered by the beautiful greens of the Sandias. When I say the trail was completely uphill, I mean the trail really is completely uphill. I don't think there was more than 10 feet of flat surface our whole way up. Majority of the trail is just walking on dirt through some brush. However, the most difficult part of La Luz are the switchbacks made purely of rocks, which start at about mile 5. These rocks were noooooo joke. Not only are you physically tired after passing them, but you're mentally drained as well. There are rocks of every different size, all put together as your own treacherous puzzle. There are a lot of spaces between the rocks, so take extra care to not step in any holes. These switchbacks last a while and slow you down a lot. I would say you're going up these rocks for at least 45 minutes or so. Also, I had only training shoes on, so I had almost no grip. I'm sure with actual hiking shoes, these parts would have been much easier. This is really the only part of the hike where my Aussie had trouble. He was very hesitant in picking where to step, as was I, but he never seemed like he wanted to stop altogether. Getting up to the crest is an amazing accomplishment in itself. The views are absolutely outstanding and well worth the 4 hour hike. Bring a light jacket for the crest, as it gets a bit windy when you're all the way up there. I look forward to doing this trail again and again! read more

La Luz Trail - Hiking Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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It really is a beautiful hike. The vistas along the way are gorgeous. I went in October - the weather was nice, not too hot. There was a little bit of color in the valley. I'm sad I just didn't have time to do the entire hike. I did 4 miles in and 4 miles back out. I'm in good shape and had no issues at all but I could see where it would be challenging for someone who doesn't do a lot of hiking or working out. Visiting ABQ on business but you can bet this is going on my "to finish" list for another day. read more

Loved this trail! I went on a Saturday, its beautiful and has awesome views. It's a steady incline but I thought it was easy, however my legs and buns was feeling it next day, great workout. read more

Ready for a burly trek up the Sandia mountains? Look no further than La Luz. The first time I heard about this gnarly hiking trail, I was quaffing a brew at the Chama River tap room downtown. Three dudes entered the place covered in sweat and dirt, and they sidled up to the bar. One of them said, "Hey, we just did La Luz, pour us something." The bartender immediately placed his current orders on hold and serviced the group, and suddenly I knew I needed to get with that zen, whatever it was. I went home and surfed the web to find out what I was missing. The La Luz trail, while demanding, can be accomplished by the young and old alike. It's a switch-back trail that takes you from the bottom to the very top of the mountain, and it's best accomplished during the spring and fall, when the heat isn't too harsh and the snow atop has melted. Plan for a day trip. Wear some good shoes. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen and a pack of sandwiches and protein bars. And then get it on. Along the way you'll experience the climate and habitat change that encompass the varying degrees of sea level; pinon turn to pine, scrub brush become old man's beard, cactus wither to host more robust greens and foliage. The whole experience rocks. For the moment, you'll forget that you live in the high desert, because this towering (nearly 10,000 foot summit) is lush and happy. And that, friends, is reason enough for a few brews. read more

La Luz is one of my favorite trails in the state of New Mexico. Here's why: 1. It's close to home - you will see lots of locals on the trail whether running or hiking, a lot of us use it for cross-training and just to get outside. 2. It's not for the faint of heart - this is a pretty long and grueling trail. It is strenuous and long, but really not what I would consider difficult, but it's hard enough to deter the less experienced hikers. 3. It's a great way to get outside - At about 11 miles long (from the base of the tram) or 9 miles from the trailhead to the top of the tram, it's a pretty intense hike and for the average hiker about 4+ hours. 4. The views are spectacular - Elevation gains are approximately 3500ft, depending on where you start your hike. You will see all the Albuquerque valley has to offer on this hike. 5. Great excuse to take the tram - living in ABQ the tram tends to get a little unexciting, but doesn't mean we don't love it. I like to hike up and take the tram down! You can buy a halfway ticket from the top. If you choose to do this hike, definitely come prepared. Bring lots of water and a few snacks. I personally like to start early in the morning and make it up to the top for lunch! I bring my own lunch since High Finance is a little expensive! All in all a great time! I love Albuquerque. read more

My Favorite Trail. Got to ABQ/NM a year ago, and consider myself a "mediocre" hiker. This trail features a variety of terrain, climbing/scrambling options, and enough scenic views and desert beauty to entice any photog to drag all their gear up the mountain. La Luz is accessed from Forest Road 333, and while the trail head is small with limited parking, you can park further down the FR 333 and still access the trail. While this is one of the most popular trails on the Sandias, you can still encounter a ton of wildlife, untouched rock formations, and that beautiful "natural silence" that many hikers seek when they head out on the trails. This "can" be a strenuous hike, so bring plenty of water. If you think you've packed enough water, bring an extra liter. Depending on the time of year, this trail is very sun-exposed and the elevation gain will dehydrate people from other parts of the United States (tourists). My ONLY complaint isn't anything that La Luz Trail can improve. I really dislike the lack of "hiker etiquette" in the area. The Cibola National Forest has leash laws, if you bring your dogs, a leash is not an option, it's a rule, unless you have ACTUAL voice control of your dog. Also, hiker's ascending get the right-of-way on this trail (since there's no cyclists or horses). Show some courtesy on the trails. Primitive camping is permitted, and you will find a few multi-day hikers on the trails. Be polite, and be friendly. Locals know to keep an eye out for others, and don't be afraid to start up conversations. New People and Locals get lost, so it's good to have others aware that you are out there! read more

Agree with the bulk of the reviews here. It's a tougher hike, mostly because of the distance and change in elevation (bring lots of water, layers, and expect your feet to be tired from all the rocks). It was pretty neat seeing the change in plant life as we gained elevation along the trail. In my personal opinion, if you're in ABQ it's a must-do (and would recommend hiking up and enjoying the view before taking the tram down). Unfortunately for us, we started the hike at 4pm, arriving at the top around 8:30pm (after sunset...which meant hiking in the dark). We were slowed down by some snow/ice in the last couple miles, plus one person in our party got sick from the heat/lack of water so definitely make sure you budget more time for unexpected events. Also just as an FYI - the tramway closed early that day because of high winds, so you can't necessarily count on that as a way down. There is however a trailhead less than 2 miles away from the tram that is accessible by car, to the extent you have a friend willing to drive up to that point to pick you up. read more

Such a great hike! What's a better way to see Albuquerque than to hike above it? It's 7ish miles to the top and another mile or so to get to the tram if you want to take it down so be prepared! read more

This is the premier hike in the Burque metro area. It's shaded and cool making it perfect for a summer hike. The terrain is steep so be prepared. 8 miles long and almost a mile in elevation. It's worth it. You get an awesome sense of how big the Sandias are. Seeing them up close makes you really appreciate their magnificence. The colors of the trees and the rocks is so surreal. The jagged faces look pink. You're rewarded with a beautiful view of the surrounding area. You really feel like you climber into the sky. I can't recommend this more highly. read more

I began by parking by the tram at the bottom and taking the 2.7mile Tramway Trail to get to the La Luz Trail. The La Luz Trail is 7 miles to the peak & an additional mile to get to the top of the tram, so total it is a 10.7miles! At mile ~4.6 [on the La Luz portion] there is a lookout point that has gorgeous views and is at 8,800ft elevation. A majority of the hike is a steady incline with many switchbacks. It is not overly challenging until you get to miles 6 & 7 [on the La Luz portion only]. Those 2 miles are done entirely on rocks on the side of the mountain at a steeper incline. This part is very strenuous but good news is the last mile to the tram flattens out. Overall the hike has unbelievable views and is totally worth it. You are the edge of the mountain the entire time so you always have a great view. Bring plenty of water because you will be hiking for a while, it took me 3 hours & 20 minutes to the 8 miles of the La Luz Trail. When you get to the top it is ~30degrees colder so bring layers because you will be hot hiking and cold at the top. The tram is $12 one way and is a great way to end the difficult hike up! Definitely worth it! read more

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A view from the top of the world. Since moving back I had yet to really hit the Sandia trails hard but today I woke up with the energy and desire to be one with nature for a couple hours. Pulling up to the base of the trail memories of past La Luz adventures started to flood my mind. First things first, there is plenty of parking here, and because the cibola national forest is monumental you must pay $3 for the day. Simply grab one of the envelopes provided fill out your info and drop it in the box. $3 is a very small price to pay for the adventure you are about to embark on! Make sure to bring plenty of water, good shoes, and snacks!! Also it is smart if you are a first time hiker to read the do's and don't's of the trail which is proudly displayed at the starting line! Also brush up on your wildlife inhabitants as you could very well meet some critters and remember this is your home so be a good guest! As you begin to make your ascension up the mountain you begin to forget the world below and leave your worries at the base of the mountain! As you get higher and higher you see the clouds moving faster and faster and they almost seem close enough to reach out and grab. The first hour of your hike is mostly desert terrain but not to strenuous at all! Great for kids above 6 years. As you continue to climb, to the right the views will literally take your breathe away and two your left the view of the mountain which seems like a face to face interaction is magnificently magical. You soon realize that we are merely just a small small part of this big world that something or someone much greater than us has created! The journey is spiritual, healing, and empowering. There were several other hikers around and all very friendly, some stop and talk and others just wave and keep moving but you feel the comradeship amongst each other. Once at the top sit and stay for a while. Meditate or pray and remind yourself how proud you are of you! Of course coming back down is the best part! The high from your accomplishments fuels your energy that you literally feel like you may just lift off the ground and soar the rest of the way down!! Anyone looking for a healthy escape that is low cost, high energy, invigorating, and mind blowing this is the adventure for you!! read more

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Hiked this beauty of a trail to the top for the first time recently. I attempted it one other time and stopped about 2 miles in only because of being pressed on time. This past weekend my friend and I thought we'd give it a shot and gave ourselves plenty of time. We started the trail around 9:30 and made it to the top to where the tram goes down about 3:30. It's a beautiful trail and fairly moderate. Neither of us are experienced hikers. We both took about 3 liters each and ran out about mile 6 1/2. Not a great thing to Run out of. We were exhausted at mile 5 and were ready to be done but we somehow finished. We happened to pick a perfect day that the weather gods were with us. We both cannot wait to get back onto la Luz and hike up and down without taking the tram. The tram was very convenient for being first timers with the exception of it being $15 per person. I feel they should definitely give a hikers discount. read more

Hikes like this I look up at Sandiahiking.com and then go and have fun..Have fun hiking but don't over do it ..know when to turn back and go home. My legs needed a few beers after this..Yikes.. read more

I went the whole distance 9/5/2016 Labor Day (yesterday). Hadn't hiked it in a number of years but used to do it a couple of times a year. Took a 3 liter Camelback nearly full, 2 Cliff bars and some energy goo. Should have added a peanut butter and honey sandwich and some fruit. Add a couple of dry technical shirts and a few "possible" like a roll of electrical tape, a few paper shop wipes, some heavy twine, etc. And be ready for almost everything. I couldn't believe how many dingbats take their small dogs and puppies and end up carrying them down. The higher you go the crowd thins with the air and the scenery completes the process of leaving you breathless. Took 4.5 hours but I used to do it in 3.5. Either way a challenging hike especially in my 69th year. Go prepared, enjoy the journey and plan on riding the Tram back down if necessary. Park one vehicle at the tram and one at the trail head. Or sweet talk someone into dropping you off and picking you up. I did..... my wife. read more

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Spectacular views! The only thing I could even begin to suggest as far as improvement is maybe a few more trail markers especially around the bigger washes. Got off trail for 15 minutes at one point on what seemed to be a trail many had probably accidentally taken before. Be prepared!!! We started at tramway trail hike the 2+ miles of that plus the 7 up and a few of the side trails and the 1 mile back to tram so maybe 11ish miles total. If you decide to start at tramway trail start early in the AM. It is slow moving for tramway trail hike. The terrain is rocky and goes up and down not difficult just a slow pace situation. It is pretty easy to get off trail there too because of the washes especially if you aren't used to desert hiking and washes. I loved the La Luz! Those red rock fall areas at the top are the worst part honestly. Watch for cacti. Don't forget to look up and out and enjoy the views! read more

La Luz . . . meaning "the light" is a great trail to make memories with your kids. I was lucky enough for my dad to take my sister and I on this trail. Later I would run this trail with my soccer team. If you're looking for some tough rock climbing, this is not the trail for you. If you are looking for a surreal view and breathtaking atmosphere . . . visit La Luz of the beautiful Sandia Mountains this Spring! You can pretty much try this hike any season of the year as long as you pick the right day. read more

This a fun hike to go on with lots of pretty scenery. It is 7 miles long to complete the whole thing. We didn't realize that going in to it, so we only did a portion of it but we still enjoyed it! There are some parts that are pretty steep. Definitely have good shoes on because coming down there is lots of loose rocks and without good grip it is easy to slip. There is not a whole lot of shade, so be prepared to be in the sun. Very quiet and relaxing trail with many great views of Albuquerque along the way. There are small side trails you can take but we just stuck to the main path. read more