Santa Fe Area Day Hikes That Will Get Your Blood Pumping and Your Energy Soaring

Looking for a way to spend a morning or afternoon in nature within 15 minutes of Santa Fe’s city center?

Look no further. While on my recent long-term trip to Santa Fe, I found four great local hiking spots that were easily accessible and safe for a solo female hiker in the middle of winter.

Reco 1: The best of the best: Hyde Memorial State Park. This one is worth a couple of visits.

There’s a $5 parking fee at this easy-to-access state park location.

The main hiking loop is called the East/West Circle Trail.

The East side (where you park) is an easy to moderate climb of just under a mile.

If you go up the East side (counterclockwise) and don’t cross over the road, you’ll return to your car via PiggyBack Trail (.4 miles back to the middle of the East trail) with a waterfall hike option that adds another .6 miles roundtrip to the hike.

In its entirety, this route is about 2.5 miles long and takes a little over an hour at an easy pace.

The most confusing thing about this hike is figuring out where it starts.

The East trail starts on the right side of the road just in front of the parking spaces in the gravel lot where you’ll buy the parking pass.

The waterfall offshoot is TOTALLY worth it.

Who doesn’t love any opportunity to get up close and personal with water in nature?

This particular gem is nestled in a secluded, serene spot a quarter mile from the main East trail.

A frozen waterfall is a sight to behold. The usually rushing water was a solid mass of lumpy, bumpy ice waves.

The icicles were perfectly clear and the sun made the entire area sparkle. Check out the instagram photo @TravelistaLiz.

It was snowy and a bit icy in spots. If the weather’s a bit tricky, it’s not a bad idea to use crampons with your hiking boots for added peace of mind and safety.

They are low cost when and you can buy them ahead of time (and return them if not needed) on Amazon. I brought these crampons and I’m so glad I did!

The West side (2.2 miles) is MUCH steeper (1000 ft elevation gain if you start from the parking area, cross the road, and walk clockwise around the loop).

The magnificent views and several lookout points along the way make the extra cardio worth it.

If you plan to do the full loop, cross the road, and start on the West side.

Walk clockwise to join the East side trail as you cross the road.

It forms a 3.1 mile loop through a beautiful pine forest. Even though this direction is uphill, it’s easier to climb the 1000 ft elevation gain rather than walk down it in snowy/muddy conditions.

Check out the photo to the right for a map of the trails to get your bearing.

Reco 2 – The Dale Ball Trail system is just outside one of Santa Fe’s main residential areas and it’s one of my favorites because of how well marked it is.

In case you are directionally challenged in nature, it is virtually impossible to get lost in this trail system. There are maps and numbered trail markers at literally every turn.

I like the North section of the trails. The 4.4 mile loop I explored has around 600 feet of elevation gain.

See the AllTrails map to the right that outlines the route I followed.

There’s something awesome about being out in nature, taking in the sights and sounds, without being out of breath the entire time.

This hike fit the bill perfectly in that regard.

There are all kinds of options to modify the distance, just follow the lettering and numbering system at let your instincts guide you.

Among the stunning views from this trail is Santa Fe Baldy – a white capped bald looking mountain that rises high above the others in the nearby Sangre de Cristo mountains.

Santa Fe Baldy is 15 miles from the trail. It’s noticeably tree-less as the top 600-800 feet of elevation is above the tree line.

Check out the photo below to catch a glimpse of this majestic mountain.

Reco 3: Dorothy Stewart Trail is an in-town option and easily accessible from the parking lot at St John’s College.

It’s best to park at the college and walk ¾ mile to the trailhead.

Parking at the trailhead is limited to a handful of cars along the side of the road. Unless you are heading to the trail at the crack of dawn, you’ll just waste time driving up and returning to this parking lot anyway.

This trail is very walkable for any fitness level and it boasts the most scenic views of the Santa Fe area.

Reco 4: The Cerro Gordo Trail is another great city hike option. I was able to walk here from where I was staying in the Canyon Road area.

This trail is in the southern part of the Dale Ball Trail system discussed earlier. It features a flat walk around an old dam and reservoir that was once a major source of water for the Santa Fe area.

Check out the details as you stroll. I was intrigued by the interesting designs I found on logs along the path. Further research revealed these log-trails were made by termites!

If you have a few hours free and want to enjoy the fresh air while in Santa Fe, check out these local favorite hike/walk options!

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them. If you’re interested in more photos of my travels across the Southwestern US or around the world, follow me at @TravelistaLiz.