A Guide To Biking In Santa Fe

Is Santa Fe the most beautiful city in America? If you love southwestern architecture, desert flora, and sweeping mountain vistas, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Here, every building pays homage to traditional adobe, from age-old churches to suburban chain stores. The facades recall pre-Colombian dwellings and early Spanish settlements; earth-toned walls blend seamlessly into the arid landscape. Lots of places in the U.S. cultivate historic skylines, but nowhere is that vision so complete.

Santa Fe is also a primed playground for cyclists. Like nearby Albuquerque, Santa Fe is well connected with paths and dedicated lanes; during nice weather, cyclists can scoot around New Mexico’s capital as easily as motorists.

More famously, Santa Fe is a gateway to alpine woodlands, which have drawn diehard mountain bikers for decades. The Santa Fe National Forest is crisscrossed with epic single track, drawing riders from all over the world. Once you’ve spent a day or two tearing up the berms, you can explore centuries-old streets, with all the galleries, tequila joints, and spicy entrees you could hope for.

Note: Santa Fe is a high-elevation city, a full 2,000 feet (600 meters) higher than Denver, Colorado. We recommend acclimatizing if you can, especially if you have respiratory issues. On the bright side, Santa Fe tends to be a bit cooler than low-lying desert country to the south.

Where to Go

A paved trail runs straight through the heart of Santa Fe, from downtown to the western outskirts; the route is smooth and fast, and it runs through quiet neighborhoods, busy commercial strips, and even a disc golf course. There’s also the River Trail, which runs through scenic parks and boasts several elegant trestle bridges.

South of the city, the rail trail transforms into a rustic dirt path, which parallels the still-active train tracks. The route undulates over hills and scrubland, a case study in blissful gravel biking. You can travel 16 motorless miles from the city center to the end of the line—and explore numerous offshoots along the way.

The list of landmarks is exhaustive: Learn about the Southwest’s most beloved artist at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Celebrate New Mexico’s profound Native American heritage at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. If you’re here with kids, dive into the Meow Wolf Immersive Art Experience; this massive, interactive installation is the first of its kind (spinoffs exist in Denver and Las Vegas). Trust us: Your mind will be blown.

Where to Eat

New Mexico is famous for its cuisine, and Santa Fe is a foodie’s paradise, making it impossible to round up even a fraction of the must-visit eateries. You could spend a week here just sampling food trucks, which are perhaps the ideal choice for hungry cyclists on the go. You could make a similar pilgrimages to local breweries, distilleries, and taquerias 

A personal favorite is El Cajellón, where you’ll find a long bar, atmospheric lighting, and tacos so flavorful you may weep with satisfaction.

How to Get a Bike

Lots of visitors bring their own souped-up adventure bikes, with the expectation that they’ll be hitting the mountain trails. This is handy, because Santa Fe doesn’t have a bike-share program, and rentals can be tricky. For example, there’s a “Borrow a Bike” program at the Ft. Marcy Recreation Center, but this is reserved for Santa Fe residents.

One option is Heritage Inspirations, a tour company that specializes in renting ebikes and showing visitors around town. This is a great option for folks who struggle with hills, run out of breath at 2,100 meters above sea level, or want a curated tour.

For serious cyclists, the creme-de-la-creme is Bike N Sport, a spotless emporium of top-quality bikes. You can rent a wide range of rides, from hybrids to full suspension MTB, the customer service is exceptional. If you fall in love with your rental – which is entirely possible, with a fleet like this – your daily fee can count toward a purchase.

Where to Stay

Downtown Santa Fe is packed with hotels, making it possible to explore the city on foot and avoid driving for days; a bike expands this range to anywhere you’d want to go. This includes the boutique Hotel St. Francis, an historic building located just a block from the central plaza. The mission-style lobby and inner patio alone will make it difficult to even leave the property.

For budget-conscious travelers, you may consider the Santa Fe International Hostel, a funky and mural-covered structure that has welcomed guests for more than 30 years. You’re still a leisurely ride from downtown, and you’re even more likely to meet fellow cyclists on the road.