The best gravel rides around Santa Fe

Santa Fe offers a wide array of gravel biking opportunities, with over 110 routes available on komoot. These trails cater to various skill levels, including easy, moderate, and difficult options, ensuring there's something for every rider.

The terrain around Santa Fe is incredibly diverse, ranging from high desert and piñon-juniper woodlands to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You'll encounter a mix of crushed gravel paths, unimproved doubletrack, smooth dirt roads, and even some cattle tracks, often with significant elevation changes and stunning views.

Yes, Santa Fe has options suitable for beginners. While many routes involve elevation, trails like the Cerro del Sol – Cerro del Sol Summit loop from Churriana de la Vega offer a moderate challenge that can be approached by those looking to build their gravel biking skills. The Santa Fe Rail Trail is also known for its crushed gravel surface, providing a smoother ride.

Santa Fe's gravel trails offer access to breathtaking natural beauty. You can experience the dramatic backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the unique high desert landscapes, and views of the Rio Grande and Jemez Mountains. Specific highlights include the University of Granada Botanical Garden and the Santa Fe Hot Springs. The Caja del Rio area provides stunning vistas of the Rio Grande Gorge.

Santa Fe's high desert climate makes it a year-round destination for gravel biking, with over 320 days of sunshine annually. While higher elevation trails might see snow in winter, lower elevation paths remain accessible. This allows you to experience multiple climate zones within a single ride, from arid deserts to alpine forests, depending on the season.

Absolutely. Many routes in Santa Fe are renowned for their scenic views. For instance, the Caja del Rio area offers spectacular views of the Rio Grande, Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You can also find excellent viewpoints like the San Nicolás Viewpoint and the Gardens of the Adarves, which provide panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscapes.

The gravel biking community highly rates Santa Fe, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 40 reviews. Riders often praise the diverse landscapes, the extensive network of trails catering to all abilities, and the unique experience of cycling through high desert, piñon-juniper woodlands, and mountain foothills. The variety of challenging climbs and leisurely rides is also frequently highlighted.

Yes, many of Santa Fe's gravel routes are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end in the same location. An example is the Santa Fe – Aurora Mine loop from Estación de Atarfe - Santa Fe, which covers a significant distance and varied terrain. The region's trail systems, like La Tierra and Dale Ball, also offer numerous loop possibilities.

Definitely. Santa Fe is well-suited for experienced gravel bikers seeking challenging rides. Many routes feature significant elevation gains and technical sections. For example, the View of Sacromonte and Granada – Genil Riverbank (Granada) loop from Vegas del Genil is classified as difficult and offers demanding terrain with rewarding views.

Several areas around Santa Fe are renowned for gravel biking. The Santa Fe Rail Trail offers a popular, accessible route. For more extensive and varied terrain, consider the Dale Ball Trails, La Tierra Trails, Pacheco Canyon Road, and the Caja del Rio area. Rowe Mesa is also a favored location for its mixed terrain and scenic beauty.

Santa Fe is rich in culture and natural beauty. Beyond the trails, you can find calming places for nature lovers and art enthusiasts. For more inspiration on nearby attractions, you might explore this list of 6 Calming Places in Santa Fe for Nature Lovers and Art Enthusiasts.