New Mexico Biking

Santa Fe & Taos Biking

Overview
Lodging
Reviews
Route Rating
More Trips
Trip Highlights
  • Bike iconic routes like the Enchanted Circle
  • Rancho de San Juan, combining European elegance with Southwestern style
  • Artsy Santa Fe and authentic Taos
  • Ride along the edge of the stunning Colorado Plateau to amazing Ghost Ranch
  • A cultural weave of Spanish, Mexican, Anglo and indigenous traditions
800-462-2848
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Backroads Trip VideoExpert Leaders Video Thumb

Watch a Video

New Mexico's Land of Enchantment

Vast cloudless skies. Piñon-scented air. Roads made for biking. Stark high desert beauty. You won’t want to get out of the saddle until you see your accommodations. Rancho de San Juan, for example: incredible luxury, amazing views and the promise of another memorable ride in the morning. Will it be as stellar as the Enchanted Circle towering above Taos? Or the high road to Chimayó? Absolutely - it’s the route to Ghost Ranch, where Georgia O’Keeffe once lived and painted. Santa Fe and Taos offer a ride, a destination and a vastness you won’t easily forget.

Days 1-2 A cultural weave of Spanish, Mexican, Anglo and indigenous traditions  Check out the Millicent Rogers Museum’s fine collection of Southwest art  Spin along a ridgeline overlooking Taos or enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Taos Plaza Bike the iconic Enchanted Circle, a scenic byway that curves around the base of 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak.

Day 3 Rancho de San Juan, combining European elegance with Southwest style  Pedal 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.

Day 4 Explore Ghost Ranch along the edge of the stunning Colorado Plateau  Hike up to Chimney Rock for a birds eye view of the ranch Georgia O’Keeffe’s famous homestead is ideal for exploration on foot  Bike past Abiquiu Lake in the Chama River Valley.

Days 5-6 Artsy Santa Fe  Bike along a rolling loop in the Los Alamos foothills At Tsankawi Prehistoric Ruins in Bandelier National Monument, view fascinating Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings and petroglyphs hidden atop a mesa A leisurely Santa Fe spin swings you past cafés, galleries and boutiques - feel free to stop in!

Guests Reviews 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.
Gretchen Yager - Encinitas, CA
This was without a doubt the most beautiful region I've ever ridden in. It was also the most challenging, but worth every mile.
Jim DiCello - Columbus, OH
Excellent trip - the rides were challenging and the scenery was incredible. Our leaders were great guides/hosts and really made everyone feel welcome. The trip was challenging in the areas I wanted it to be (cycling) and easy/stress free when off the bike.
Dale Surbey - Houston, TX

Premiere Inns

El Monte Sagrado
El Monte Sagrado

Taos (2 nights) With a warm inviting style inspired by American Indian and global cultures, this elegant haven is nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just outside of Taos. (pool, spa)

Rancho de San Juan
Rancho de San Juan

Española (2 nights)Travel + Leisure favorite, this luxurious hacienda is described by Andrew Harper as an "enchantingly sited 225-acre desert retreat in the foothills of the Black Mesa."

The Inn of the Five Graces
The Inn of the Five Graces

Santa Fe (1 night) With a Thousand and One Nights aesthetic, this sumptuous abode, a Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick,  is steps from the plaza on one of the city’s oldest streets. A Relais & Châteaux member. (spa)


California's Big Sur Coast Biking New!

From Monterey to Santa Barbara

California: Alexander Valley Biking

A Weekend in California's Alexander & Dry Creek Valleys

California: Death Valley Biking

California's Mojave Desert

California: Wine Country Biking

A Quintessential Bike Trip through Napa & Sonoma Vineyards, Redwoods & Coast

Utah: Bryce & Zion Biking

Inspiration and Adrenaline in Utah's Red-Rock Canyons

Utah & Arizona: Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon Multisport New!

Adventures in the Phenomenal National Parks of Utah & Arizona

Wyoming: Yellowstone & Tetons Multisport New!

Discover the Wonders of Wyoming's Wild Preserves

This Trip Is Rated Level 3-5

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 Road Bike Average Mountain Bike Average* Walk & Hike Average
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 10-15 miles 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 16-20 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 21-25 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 26-30 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 31+ miles 11-13+ miles

*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 15, 30 miles
  • 300 - 600 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 5  4 Route Options Available
  • 31, 45, 62, 85 miles
  • 2000 - 4730 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 3 to 5  3 Route Options Available
  • 33, 51, 74 miles
  • 2330 - 3270 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 3 to 4  3 Route Options Available
  • 29, 42, 55 miles
  • 1290 - 1800 feet elevation gain 
  • Hiking 3 miles
  • 600 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 3 to 4  3 Route Options Available
  • 23, 38, 55 miles
  • 1000 - 3800 feet elevation gain
  • Optional Hiking 1.6 miles
  • 200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 3  2 Route Options Available
  • 15, 32 miles
  • 810 - 3500 feet elevation gain

For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the New Mexico tour experts. See our award-winning USA biking tours, USA walking and hiking tours and USA multisport tours.

Biking

Premiere Inns

6 days, 5 nights
arrow view dates

Trip Price*
  • $2,798 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,240 for sgl. occ.)
Meet/Depart

Santa Fe, New Mexico


* Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Trip Notes

All meals included except 1 dinner

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Inside_scoop_header

You Can Have
It All

The strong local expertise that Backroads’ leaders bring combined with a deep and genuine understanding of the North American service ethic is crucial to your enjoyment…

Inside_scoop_footer

Close This Window X

Inside_scoop_big_header

You Can Have
It All

The strong local expertise that Backroads’ leaders bring combined with a deep and genuine understanding of the North American service ethic is crucial to your enjoyment… and connection on trip. We pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides as needed on international trips. They are the best combination in the business; they know how to both cater to you and how to crack open the local culture in a way that’s meaningful. It’s neither one nor the other—it’s the magic of both.

Inside_scoop_back_button 5 of 12 Inside_scoop_next_button
Inside_scoop_dotted_hr Inside_scoop_download
You can have it all

"What an awesome trip! Taking in the culture, people, and scenery by bike is such a wonderful way to experience Thailand. The various activities planned throughout the trip, combined with great leaders and support staff made the trip very enjoyable and enriching. Thanks Backroads for some great memories and a great travel experience!"

Justine Oppenheim
Cambridge, MA

Contact a Trip Consultant today!

800-462-2848

or 510-527-1555

e-mail us

Open 7 days a week

from 7 am to 5 pm, PT

or

contact your travel agent