The best MTB trails around Sunlit Hills

Santa Fe Plaza stands as the historic and cultural heart of Santa Fe. Founded in 1610, it’s one of the oldest continuously occupied public spaces in the United States. The Plaza was originally designed as the central square for the Spanish colonial Presidio, surrounded by residences, a chapel, and the seat of government. Over the centuries it evolved — welcoming trade caravans arriving along the historic Santa Fe Trail, serving as a gathering place for Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and later American communities, hosting centuries of civic, social, and cultural life. Today, the Plaza remains a lively public square ringed by adobe-style buildings, galleries, boutiques, and museums — including the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S. The plaza is also the official starting point for the Santa Fe to Taos thru-hike.

Old Santa Fe is the historic downtown area. It's known for its mix of Naive Pueblo and Spanish Colonial styles of architecture and is an excellent mix of culture, history, shops, and views. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Santa Fe is New Mexico's state capital and sits at almost 7,200 feet. The town is known for its' Pueblo-style architecture and its creative arts community. It's also one of the oldest cities in the USA, being founded in the early 1600's.

Atalaya Trail is a steep challenging trail up to Atalaya Mountain. Despite its difficulty, it's a popular challenge among local mountain bikers and a great way to get some serious exercise and some great views in close to town. It features tight turns, narrow, rocky singletrack, and steep grades, all between 7,000 and 8,000 feet! If done in the winter or early spring, there can also be ice at spots. While it can be ridden up or downhill be aware of hikers - this is a popular trail to get to the summit of the mountains.

With 9,121 feet, Atalaya Mountain is one of the highest peaks around the city of Santa Fe. It is part of the Sangre de Cristo Range. Up here, you will be treated with a stunning view towards Santa Fe, Sun Mountain, Picacho Peak and Thompson Peak.

The Calabasas Trail is a nice flowing trail from Tano road down to the Calabasas trailhead in the northern part of the La Tierra trails. If riding east to west, it is generally downhill, but it can be ridden in both directions. There are many, many trails you can turn onto along this trail, enabling you to make loops of almost any length in this fun area.

The Calabasas Trailhead leads you to the northeastern end of the La Tierra Trails system. There is a short loop hike you can do along the northern boundary here, or you can connect with the rest of the trail system for a longer hike.

The North Boundary #1 #2 trail is the northernmost trail in the La Tierra trail network and most consider it to be one of the best, if not the best, XC trail in the area. From this popular section of trail you get fantastic views and great riding over swoopy, burmed switchbacks. Headed west from #1 it is mostly downhill, but headed east from #2-#1, you'll encounter some of the toughest climbing in the system.