Santa Fe & Taos Biking
New Mexico's Land of Enchantment
New Mexico is a land of contrasts, where verdant mountain forests and arid crimson-hued mesas surround sophisticated cities and tiny rural villages. Like a colorful tapestry, these elements are woven together beautifully, attracting artists and travelers from around the world. In Taos, explore traditional pueblos and browse galleries showcasing the work of talented local artists. Pedal through the high desert, visiting Ancestral Pueblo ruins along the way. Enjoy lively Santa Fe, where the native culture and inspirational landscape are reflected in the architecture and handicrafts found throughout town. Evenings you’ll relish the best of the region’s flavorful Southwestern cuisine and luxuriate in stylish inns.
- Bike iconic routes like the Enchanted Circle
- Rancho de San Juan, combining European elegance with Southwestern style
- Artsy Santa Fe and authentic Taos
- Explore amazing Ghost Ranch before riding along the edge of the stunning Colorado Plateau
- A cultural weave of Spanish, Mexican, Anglo and indigenous traditions
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 taos
Meet in Santa Fe and shuttle to Taos 
Visit the Millicent Rogers Museum and view its fine collection of Southwestern art Warm up your biking muscles with a spin along a ridgeline overlooking Taos Ride part or all of the Enchanted Circle, or choose to explore the numerous shops, museums and galleries in Taos.
Days 3-4 espanola
Bike through the mesas and copper-colored hills of the High Road desert to the tiny village of Chimayó, established in 1680 Stop by the revered El Santuario church, where the soil is believed to have miraculous healing powers Visit Ghost Ranch and explore Georgia O’Keeffe’s famous homestead on foot Pedal past Abiquiu Lake along the Charma River Valley back to the hotel 
Be sure to bring your appetite to tonight’s delicious Southwestern dinner.
Days 5-6 santa fe
Begin with a loop ride in the foothills of Los Alamos At Tsankawi Prehistoric Ruins, view fascinating Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings and petroglyphs hidden atop a mesa at Bandelier National Monument A leisurely ride around Santa Fe affords the opportunity to visit museums, galleries and boutiques Cap off your two-wheeled adventure in the Southwest with a farewell lunch.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I have only been on two Backroads trips so far, but you distinguish yourself with the quality of your trip leaders. They far exceed your competition. The other benefit for us is that my husband is a stronger cyclist so the van support allows us to go on more challenging trips and both enjoy our vacation.- Encinitas, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Santa Fe & Taos Biking
SLUMBER IN STYLE: Premiere Inns*
Casa Benavides
Taos (2 nights) Located less than a block from the Taos Plaza, guest rooms at this former artists’ residence feature such welcoming touches as down comforters and wood-burning stoves.
* Casual Inn
Rancho de San Juan
Española (2 nights) This luxurious high-desert hacienda offers expansive views of the Jemez Mountains, award-winning cuisine and charming guest rooms with kiva fireplaces, wood-beam ceilings and tile floors.
La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa
Santa Fe (1 night) This plush Leading Hotels of the World member showcases Spanish-Colonial décor complete with handcrafted stone mantels, viga and latilla ceilings, and opulent fabrics, as well as the deluxe RockResorts Spa.
Santa Fe & Taos Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 14 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 4 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 45, 62, 85 miles
- 2800 - 7000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 33, 51 miles
- 2400 - 3850 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3, 5 miles
- Biking 14, 33 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 31 miles
- 1800 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.6 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 14, 32 miles
- 500 - 3400 feet elevation gain