The best walks and hikes in Valencia County

The Manzano Crest Trail is an epic trail that runs north-south along almost the entirety of the Manzano Mountains. This particular short section traverses the ridge connecting Manzano Peak and Gallo Peak, between Ox Canyon Trail and Red Canyon trail. The trail can be a little hard to follow here, but since you are ridge-running, it's hard to get truly lost. As you hike, you get great views over the Manzano Mountains and beyond.

Osha Peak stands at just under 10,000-feet at 9,313-feet above sea-level. It is most commonly approached from the east on either the Manzano Crest Trail or the New Canyon Trail, but you can also climb it from the west along the Trigo Canyon Trail or the long Osha Trail. The open summit is technically just off the Manzano Crest Trail and provides great views of Manzana Mountains and the desert beyond.

New Canyon Trail winds its way up New Canyon from the New Canyon Campground. This is a great trail through a steep-walled canyon of tan and orange rock. The trail ends at a junction with the Manzano Crest Trail and the Trigo Canyon Trail. You can pop on to the Manzano Crest Trail and tag Osha Peak if you're looking to add a little extra elevation to your hike.

The Red Canyon Trail heads west up a drainage from the Red Canyon Campground past some unique rock formation and steep rock faces. It is also unusually (for the area) lush, with mushrooms and wildflowers dotting the trail in the spring and summer. The Red Canyon Trail eventually meets the Manzano Crest Trail just below the summit of Gallo Peak. This is a popular trail in its own right, but if you are looking for more milage, or if you wish to complete a loop rather than an out-and-back, you can link it with the Spruce Spring Trail or the Ox Canyon Trail for a great, challenging hiking loop.

Gallo Peak stands at just over 10,000 feet at 10,010-feet in the Manzano Mountain Range. The true summit of Gallo Peak is just west of the Manzano Crest Trail and is a moderate jaunt off trail through some boulders and slightly dense forest growth. It is most commonly reached via the Spruce Spring or Red Canyon Trails, which then both lead to the Manzano Crest Trail, which runs north-south along almost the entire mountain range. The summit of Gallo Peak is relatively flat and open, with summit register on the southeast side for you to sign, if you wish.

The Capilla Peak Lookout is a historic fire-lookout on the top of Capilla Peak. First constructed in 1921, the spot for this lookout was chosen because although Capilla Peak is not the tallest in the area, it stands out from the main ridge, and provides great views of the entire range. Unfortunately, there have been many wildfires here over the years, so the tower has quite a bit of use gotten use in the last 100 years.

The Manzano Hawkwatch site is a vital location for monitoring raptor migration. Operated by HawkWatch International, the site has been active since 1985 and provides valuable data on raptor populations and trends. Each fall, thousands of raptors, including species like the Northern Harrier and Cooper's Hawk, pass through this area. The site is not only important for research but also offers a unique opportunity for visitors to observe these birds in their natural migration patterns. You can reach this spot via the Gavilan Trail off of Capilla Peak. Even if you are not a bird enthusiast, this is a spectacular lookout that is a must-visit if camping at the Capilla Peak Campground or in the area.

Gavilan Trail is a relatively short (.8 miles one way) but incredibly scenic out-and-back trail by the trailhead for the southern Manzano Crest Trail and the Capilla Peak Campground. The trail climbs steadily through the trees, with increasingly good views of the surrounding mountains as you draw closer to the top. The trail ends at a HawkWatch Observation Point, where migrating raptors and other birds are tracked, making this trail popular with bird enthusiasts.