These 10 Trails In New Mexico Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ancient Ruins
People have been living in the Land of Enchantment for thousands of years and the remainders of their lives are scattered across our state in the forms of ruined buildings. Combine hiking and history with a walk back in time along these 10 hiking trails with ruins in New Mexico:
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1. Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Pueblo Alto Trail (near Nageezi)
Most visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site follow the paths through Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl - as they should. However, it’s hard to appreciate the massive scale of these magnificent ruins, while you’re in them. Until the 19th century, the buildings here were the largest in North America. That’s why this 4.5-mile trail is so great; you can view both ruins from above since the path takes you around the canyon rim. Bear in mind that the climb is on the more strenuous side. (Park in the Pueblo del Arroyo lot.)
2. Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Una Vida
When you’re exploring a place with extensive ruins, some are bound to receive less attention than others. That’s the case with Una Vida. These remains are some of the oldest on the site and they can be reached by an approximately one mile, round trip hike. If you’re up for an extra burst of physical effort, you can reach a petroglyph panel too. The trailhead for Una Vida is near the visitor center, where you must stop to pay admission.
Chaco is in the middle of nowhere and you need to plan in advance to ensure you have sufficient supplies, plus a camping spot if you want to stay overnight. Here is the Chaco Culture National Historic Park website for information on these first two hikes.
3. Bandelier National Monument: Main Loop Trail (near Los Alamos)
Bandelier National Monument spans 50 square miles and includes extensive Ancestral Puebloan ruins. Wander past the remains of Tyuonyi, once a 400-room structure, peek inside the Big Kiva, and marvel at the Long House. The Main Loop Trail is 1.2 miles in total, and it’s partially accessible. The latter portion involves narrow stairways. However, while you have the option to climb inside the cliff dwellings, doing so isn’t part of the trail. You can find this impressive national monument at 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos. Learn more about this park at the Bandelier National Monument website.
4. Bandelier National Monument: Tsankawi (near White Rock)
There are 13 different trails within Bandelier, but most people don't know about Tsankawi, an Ancestral Puebloan site that once contained roughly 350 rooms. Although it’s technically in Bandelier National Monument, it’s separate from the main area. This hike is only 1.5 miles in length (round trip), but you need to be capable of clambering up ladders. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to view kivas, petroglyphs, and cavates. Since Tsankawi is a little tricky to find, here’s a map.
5. El Morro National Monument: The Headland Trail (near Grants)
Although El Morro is best known for Inscription Rock, the 2-mile long Headland Trail offers panoramic views and an opportunity to see Atsinna. During the 13th and 14th centuries, 1500 people called this multi-level, 875-room pueblo home! The goal was to build in a location that was easy to defend so this trail takes a bit of effort and involves traversing uneven ground. Visit the El Morro National Monument website for more info.
Technically, this hike leads to an overlook where you can see where a large structure once stood, rather than to the remains of a pueblo. However, this little known spot once contained 700 rooms on the ground floor alone, so it left a noticeable imprint on the earth. To reach the overlook, you need to climb up a half-mile long trail – there are places to rest – then return the same way. To access the trail and see this site, which was constructed by ancestors of the Tewa People, watch for a turnoff 2.5 miles south of the Abiquiu post office on Highway 84.
This trail leads to dramatic and well-preserved cliff dwellings created by the Mogollon people during the 13th century. The one-mile loop trail leading to the dwellings is steep and it covers uneven ground. Still, those who climb up here are well rewarded for their effort.
The mistake many make is underestimating the length of time needed to drive to these ruins. They’re remote so you definitely need to start early. Here’s a map and also some additional information.
A paved, sloping trail takes you to these ruins, which consist of more than just the remains of an old Spanish Mission. This is also the site of a pueblo (Cicuye) that dates back to 1100 A.D. Its location near the Glorieta Pass made this pueblo strategically important because it allowed the 2000 people who lived here to control travel through the area. This is an easy hike along a one-mile, loop trail. GPS mapping for this location is unreliable – instead, use this map.
9. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park: Dog Canyon Trail (near Alamogordo)
In the mood for a strenuous day hike? Challenge yourself by taking Dog Canyon Trail. There’s no need to hike this whole trail to see ruins. Just under three miles into this hike, you’ll come across the ruins of this cabin. While not ancient, it is still historic and scenic. For more info.
The appeal of the ruins at Aztec is that you can walk right through an Ancestral Puebloan "Great House," literally stepping back in time as you travel along this half-mile trail. Here is a map to help you reach this underrated national monument.
There are so many ruins throughout the state that this list is – by necessity – incomplete. Which hiking trails with ruins in New Mexico would you add?
Address: 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
Address: NM-53, Ramah, NM 87321, USA
Address: Poshuinge Trail, Abiquiu, NM 87510, USA
Address: Silver City, NM 88061, USA
Address: 1 NM-63, Pecos, NM 87552, USA
Address: 409 Dog Canyon Rd, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA
Address: 725 Ruins Rd, Aztec, NM 87410, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking Trails With Ruins In New Mexico
October 23, 2020
Leah
What are the most picturesque hiking trails in New Mexico?
There are many unique hiking trails in New Mexico that’ll take you to more spots than just ruins. You can hike through the dazzling White Sands National Monument on trails like the 1.8-mile White Sands Backcountry Trail. There’s no other place in the world quite like it, and it’s beautiful. A hike through the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Badlands is also most certainly picturesque. Taking one of the many trails through the area is almost like walking on another planet, the formations are just that unique.
Which state parks should I visit in New Mexico?
Looking for more prime locations to experience New Mexico hikes? The state has many great parks that offer exactly that and so much more. The Cimarron Canyon State Park is quieter and surrounded by trees and other beautiful views. There are many trails there that are truly stunning. For a beautiful mountain lake view, try Morphy Lake State Park. Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the lakeside scenes are just spectacular to see in person.
What is the oldest town in New Mexico?
These historic hiking trails in New Mexico take you to some truly old towns. This state is full of history, and if you’d like to see some truly spectacular living history, you’ll want to visit the Taos Pueblo. This particular place is still lived in today and has been continuously for over a thousand years. It’s considered one of the oldest of its kind not just in New Mexico, but all of the United States. Not only is its history fascinating, but it’s quite lovely to look at, as well.
