New Mexico Walking

Santa Fe & Taos Walking & Hiking

Overview
Lodging
Reviews
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Trip Highlights
  • A weave of Spanish, Mexican, Anglo and indigenous traditions
  • Hike centuries-old paths to ancient cliff dwellings and descend into a deep wildlife-rich river gorge
  • Ghost Ranch: art history set amid a gorgeous red-rock landscape
  • Explore artsy Santa Fe and authentic Taos
  • Rancho de San Juan, combining European elegance with Southwestern style
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Natural & Artistic Inspiration in New Mexico

It’s the convergence of art, history, geology... and chile peppers. Each day you spend in Santa Fe and Taos will inspire you. The lazy bends of the Rio Grande. Simple pueblos that are still standing after a thousand years. Flowers of the desert. The flowers of Georgia O’Keeffe. The spices of a southwestern meal. And some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen. You’ll understand why artists seem to find their muses here. You may even find one of your own. But we only take care of your first six days here. If you decide to stay, the rest are yours to plan and enjoy.

Day 1 Explore historic Santa Fe, whose rich past is preserved in centuries-old adobe architecture and splendid European-style churches  In Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, discover slot canyons and cone-shaped rock formations created millions of years ago.

Day 2 Hike an ancient route to fascinating cliff dwellings in Bandelier National Monument Imagine an Ancestral Pueblo community thriving amid the sculpted volcanic tuff of Frijoles Canyon.

Day 3 A weave of Spanish, Mexican, Anglo and indigenous traditions  Visit the revered Santuario de Chimayó, where modern-day pilgrims flock to be healed The 1,000-year-old Taos Pueblo, a marvel of American Indian architecture, welcomes you Hike up to Williams Lake in Taos Ski Valley or get to know Taos.

Day 4 European elegance and Southwest style at Rancho de San Juan Descend into a deep gorge where the Red River and Rio Grande converge, and watch for red-tailed hawks, porcupines and mule deer.

Days 5-6 Ghost Ranch: art history set amid a gorgeous red-rock landscape  Discover the striking scenery made famous in Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings A delectable candlelit dinner at the nationally acclaimed Three Forks awaits Hike to a point overlooking the Jemez Mountains and Sangre de Cristo Range.

Guests Reviews About This Trip

This was the best Backroads trip we've taken. The area is breathtakingly beautiful. And the accommodations, food and fellow travelers were super.
Leslie Cohen - Miami, FL
I can't say enough wonderful things about our two leaders. They worked so well together, and made the journey enjoyable, stimulating, and educational. Their flexibility, understanding of individual needs, and enthusiasm for the area were key in making this trip so spectacular. They made the history of New Mexico come alive with the interpretive walks in Frijoles Canyon, the Ghost Ranch and Tsankawi Ruins. New Mexico is definitely the Land of Enchantment - I fell in love with the area. I was so impressed with how each day's hike could be so different from the day before - in such a short time, I got to experience so many different landscapes. I learned so much about the history of the Native Americans in that area - seeing is knowing! I would have repeated this trip immediately and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Geraldine Monahan - Greenwich, CT
Superlative! I plan on going on another trip and encouraging my family and friends to travel with Backroads. Thanks for a wonderful vacation.
Eileen Bell - Chicago, IL

Premiere Inns*

La Posada de Santa Fe
La Posada de Santa Fe

Santa Fe (2 nights) In the heart of town, a welcoming Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick featuring Pueblo revival architecture, viga and latilla ceilings, and an abundance of Southwestern art. (pool, spa)

Casa Benavides
Casa Benavides

Taos (1 night) With a name meaning "house of the good life," this 1930s former artist’s residence is located less than a block from the Taos Plaza.

* Casual Inn

Rancho de San Juan
Rancho de San Juan

Espanola (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." (spa)


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This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4

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 1  1 Route Option Available
  • 3 miles
  • 400 feet elevation gain
  • Walking Tour 2 hours 
Day 2
  • Level 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 8.3, 11.5 miles
  • 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Level 2  1 Route Option Available
  • 5 miles
  • 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Walking Tour 1 hour 
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 3  3 Route Options Available
  • 6.1, 6.7, 7.8 miles
  • 800 - 1400 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 3, 8 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 1.2 miles
  • 200 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Historic town walks, canyon trails, ladders to view ancient cliff dwellings.

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

Walking & Hiking

Premiere Inns

6 days, 5 nights
arrow view dates

Trip Price*
  • $2,798 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$880 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

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Not Into Group Travel? Neither Are We!

It’s easy for a company to say their trips allow for flexibility and spontaneity but a lot of careful thought is needed to make it
a reality.

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Not Into Group Travel? Neither Are We!

It’s easy for a company to say their trips allow for flexibility and spontaneity but a lot of careful thought is needed to make it a reality. We provide "back-pocket options," multiple support vehicles, "daily snapshots," area maps, self-navigable directions, optional high-resolution self-navigable maps and, most importantly, routes that are designed with a sense of journey in mind—many of these features are unique to Backroads. Our leaders then cater to the needs of each guest, taking the "group mentality" out of group travel while still cultivating the wonderful camaraderie our trips are famous for. It’s your trip—uniquely yours.

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Group Travel

"The trip was well organized and I loved the flexibility to do all or part of the activities based on how you felt each day."

Ellen Trotochaud
Glenview, IL

Contact a Trip Consultant today!

800-462-2848

or 510-527-1555

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