Took this beautiful trail on a Monday morning. You have to…read morepark off the side of the road, as there is no parking lot but there is plenty of parking in the morning. When I arrived, I found parking amongst four vehicles already lined up -- and when I left, about four to five more were parked up and down the road, so don't stress about the parking too much. I do want to mention that there are 'high car prowler' signs, so definitely don't come with valuables/leave valuables in your car. The hike itself takes about an hour to an hour and a half, give or take. A few recommendations: 01. Most of the hike is sun exposed, so do bear that in mind (in case a sunstroke or skin cancer is something of concern). 02. Go in the AM hours as you'll get rather sweaty from the steep uphill trekking. Besides, who doesn't want a gorgeous view at the start of their day? 03. Hiking boots (as it is steep going up and can be slippery going down). I encountered a lot of elderly people too. I'm talking people in their 60's+. It was... very inspiring to see, as this trail is a moderately difficult hike! Quite adorable to see them out there hiking with their dogs and their hiking poles. So kind and friendly too. 100% worth it.

Pretty, easy hike for visiting from flat land beginners offers nice view over St. John's Collegeread more

We had trouble finding the starting point that we were originally looking for (our Lyft dropped us…read moreelsewhere), but nonetheless we were able to still hike on a beautiful trail. It did not disappoint! It was easy to follow as everything we clearly marked.

This is a nice easy to moderate trail. Plenty of trees and great views to be had. It is not far…read morefrom the plaza and many other great Santa Fe destinations. There is a good sized parking lot. The markings and posting are great and the trail is easy to follow. It is definitely recommended if you are looking for a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in nature.

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.

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.

This is a very well taken care of trail that is very easy for people to see quite up close. You…read morecould possibly have a stroller or wheelchair here and still see a lot. There are seats all throughout the routes. The first third of the trail isn't as shaded but the entire last portion is quite shaded. There's also a bathroom available about 2/3rds of the way to alcove house. The history is amazing. Glad we are preserving this place and sharing it with the public.

One of my favorite national parks that I have ever been to and hiked! STUNNING. I love that you can…read morehike up the ladders on one of the hikes here. That hike definitely is not for the faint of heart and pushed my limits at the top (you are high and it seems scary) but it is one of my most memorable hikes all around for the scenery and unique experience. A must visit! For those who don't to do the ladder hike, you can still walk to the bottom of it and look up and get a good view. So there is something for all levels here. The scenery is gorgeous. It does get windy here sometimes (we had a lot of wind blasting us as we were climbing the ladders) so be careful and be prepared for that. The nature all around is beautiful. Additionally, there are some tables so you could bring a picnic. Staff in the visitor center is very friendly and has lots of great recommendations of what to do here or nearby. A must do! This was the highlight of my trip to this area and I can't recommend it enough :)

Nice hike for us fairly fit seniors is the loop trail. Park at the lodge or just before it st the…read morecampground where sign indicates black canyon trail. Walk past the lodge and look for sign with trail map. We thought we'd try the waterfall trail but no signage made us stop after crossing the stream several times and ending at a memorial cross. Someone said you need to scramble with large rock/cliff to the left and keep going. The lodge was closed when we went in mid September. Lovely cool day for a 9:00 am hike.

This is camping! The trees are absolutely gorgeous and there are little trails right off the…read morecampsites. The sites are level and have a nice big table and a pole with two hooks for hanging trash or food so critters can't reach it. The way the loop is developed gives each campsite lots of privacy and you're never too far from a restroom or trash can. The people in the park were really friendly and the camp fees were totally reasonable. It's also not too far from town to run in to spend time in at the beautiful plaza area and browse for adorable nick knacks for souvenirs and gifts. It's also convenient for groceries or gas. There is an Albertsons and Whole Foods right off the highway as soon as you get to town.

Beautiful cool and shaded. What? Not good enough? Ok, most of Chamisa is nice soft dirt walking,…read moreTenderfoot! Easy to spot this trail head on left of road after crossing into the National Park from Santa Fe.

We need to have a talk, my Santa Fean Yelp brethren. You undervalue the James Beard-awarded fine…read moredining destination pumping lifeblood into your celebrated art district*. You ignore the historic (and haunted) cemetery where many of your most prominent ancestors rest (or *don't* rest, if my investigation is any indication)**. Worst of all, you apparently have no knowledge of the scenic trail just a few miles northeast of town. Fortunately for you, the dapper, mysterious Ryan M. from San Antonio is here not only to berate but to educate. My father and I were so taken with the Chamisa Trail that I added it to Yelp Santa Fe's business listings. The Chamisa Trailhead is located somewhere between mile markers seven and eight on Hyde Park Rd. Signage is minimal, which might explain the trail's relative obscurity to tourists and locals. When you arrive, you'll notice two paths, neither of which is labeled. The path on the right is apparently the more difficult of the two, a fact my father and I learned the hard way. It was a challenge at times but nothing too strenuous. If you're a girly man (or a LaVeyan Satanist who takes things too literally), then the "left-hand path" would probably be the better option. Both paths begin and end at the parking area, though, so don't worry about getting lost. The word "chamisa" refers to the rubber rabbitbrush that grows wild throughout Santa Fe and parts of the western United States. I could pretend to be a well-traveled authority on ericameria nauseosa, but that would be mendacious of me. No, I learned much about the rabbitbrush from a chatty server at Café Pasqual's, the best place for breakfast in Santa Fe. He informed me that many folks suffer a violent allergic reaction to chamisa, which might explain the Latin prefix "nauseo" in "nauseosa." Thankfully, my father and I suffered no ill effects throughout our three-mile hike. Ironically, I recall seeing very little (if any) chamisa brush on the trail. As I attempt to describe the unmolested beauty of this semi-secluded trail, I find myself resorting to adjectives such as "gorgeous," "scenic," "spectacular," and "peaceful." The Chamisa Trail is indeed all of these and more. Every turn reveals something new: a millennia-old rock formation, an aspen with trembling yellow leaves, a ground squirrel foraging for food. Not once did my father and I hear the sound of a car engine, an airplane, or any semblance of modern life. We had the trail practically to ourselves the entire time, which emphasized the sense of isolation. As I mentioned earlier, the path on the right is definitely the more difficult of the two. If you choose this path, expect a steep, mostly uphill hike with many switchbacks and drop-offs. The most challenging moment of the hike, however, occurred towards the end when we were declining. The section in question was steep and rocky. Had we attempted to navigate it on foot, we probably would have fallen and broken our necks. After some deliberation, we decided to sit and slide down until we reached the bottom. Our exfoliated butt cheeks paid the price, but at least we lived to tell the tale. The mystic charm of Santa Fe is apparent in its art, architecture, cuisine, and the untouched beauty of Hyde State Park, the home of Chamisa Trailhead. Whether you're a local (in which case, shame on you again for neglecting your Yelper duties) or a visitor, then please consider spending an afternoon hiking the Chamisa Trail. You'll appreciate its many gifts and work up an appetite for a world-class meal at either Geronimo or The Compound. *See my review of The Compound: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-compound-santa-fe?hrid=CL8YFxAUxslYbtKsF28oKw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) **See my review of Fairview Cemetery: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fairview-cemetery-santa-fe?hrid=1kYzceD5CpAKFiqUDxapbw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Hillside Park offers great views of Santa Fe, as well as provides historical information about New…read moreMexico and Santa Fe. It's accessible, close to the city centre and the paved walkway makes it easy for all to enjoy. We visited Hillside Park, as it was recommended by a local. It's not a very long or steep walk at all. The walkway is paved with railings and a few steps. Once at the top you can see the Cross of the Martyrs and views of Santa Fe. That's in itself a reason to visit. But what I liked most about Hillside Park is the historical plaques along the walkway, detailing the founding of Santa Fe from its first settlers to when it became a part of the United States and New Mexico today. It is also the historic sight of Fort Marcy, a military reservation in the mid-1800's when U.S. declared war on Mexico. With this trail you can see more informational signs about the war and fort. I would definitely recommend for visitors in Santa Fe to check out Hillside Park, not only for its city views but to learn about the city's history and its significance in the U.S. So glad we came here!

Overlook park to get a view of the city and get some steps. The gate and railing separate Fort…read moreMarcy Park at the top from this park and cross partially funded by the Catholic Church to recognize the 21 Franciscan priests and friars killed in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 led by Popé (not the Pope), according to a plaque. There are visible signs of consternation on some of the plaques that this recently built park makes no mention of the atrocities that lead to the uprising. Nonetheless, I found the one sided history laid out in the plaques to be educational because it made me look up people and the events.