ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – As the first day of fall approaches and as leaves start to change colors, hiking is an activity many New Mexicans may take part in. Here are five of the best places to go hiking in the fall within an hour of Albuquerque.
The Rio Grande Bosque Trails: Running the length of the city, the trails throughout the Rio Grande Bosque provide wonderful scenery, and you don’t even need to leave city limits to reach them. The fall is a wonderful time to go through this trail as the leaves begin to change colors, and you will be surrounded by a perfect fall scenery, perfect for your next photoshoot.
Foothills Trail 365: Along the base of the Sandia Mountains the Foothills Trail 365 is a great trail providing moderate challenge and wonderful scenery. Being able to see the whole city provides a great view while you hike. It also leads towards the Sandia Peak Tramway, which is a great stop to make during the fall for one of the best views in the city.
Petroglyph National Monument: If you are looking to see a piece of the city’s history, taking a hike through the Petroglyph National Monument is perfect. With an estimated 24,000 images carved by Ancestral Pueblo peoples, it is a site that cannot be missed.
The Sandia Crest Trail: 22.1 miles long, the Sandia Crest Trail is one of the longest stretches on this list. Being made up of a lot of smaller trails, the Sandia Crest Trail goes along the entire range of the Sandia Mountains. For fall, my personal recommendation would take the north crest trail, as it provides tree coverage over top, which looks beautiful as the leaves change color.
La Luz Trail: Being one of the hardest trails on this list, the La Luz Trail takes you 9 miles uphill from the base of the Sandia Mountains to the crest. For skilled hikers, this trail is perfect, and you are rewarded with one of the best views of the city that you can get.
Honorable MentionJemez Springs…