Get Out and Hike!
The Taos region offers some of the best hiking on earth and TMO is the place to get started with the best info as well as the best gear. Below is a quick recap of a few of our favorite trails. Keep in mind these are just the start of great hiking near Taos! There are hundreds of other trails throughout the Enchanted Circle area. We have a couple of great books by Kay Matthews – Day Hikes in the Taos Area and Hiking the Wilderness that provide detailed directions and descriptions of many great trails in northern New Mexico.
Williams Lake and Wheeler Peak
Starting at the Taos Ski Valley, the hike up to Williams Lake is about 2.4 miles. Some locals avoid it because it has become so popular with tourists and the trail can get busy. But there is good reason for its popularity. It is a gorgeous hike! And even though there is elevation gain up to the lake, the trail is relatively easy. It is a great trail for dogs and your canine companion will meet lots of new friends if you go up on a nice summer day.
If you are in good shape and want even more spectacular views, consider going the additional 1.4 miles from the east side of the lake up to the summit of Wheeler Peak. This will probably take you over an hour due to the steep and sometimes slippery trail.
Whether you turn around at Williams Lake or get to the summit of Wheeler Peak, make sure you leave time for lunch or a cold beverage at the Bavarian Inn when you’re done. The food is great and the beer always tastes better after a good workout on the trail.
Bull of the Woods
A more common way up to Wheeler Peak (and a lot less steep) is the 14 mile Bull of the Woods / Crest Ridge Trail hike. This is one of the best known hikes in New Mexico and offers spectacular diversity of scenery. It starts in the northeast corner of the TSV parking lot.
In your perfectly fitted hiking boots from TMO, the 14 miles will be a breeze, but it may be a little too much for some folks. For an easier picnic hike, stop in the Bull of Woods pasture for snack and then head back down to TSV. This option is about 4 miles round trip.
Devisadero Loop
This is a great hike with spectacular views that is close and convenient to Taos. Best time to hike this trail is spring or fall. If you go in the summer, try to get out early before the heat of the day kicks in. The trailhead is 2.8 miles up US 64 from the intersection of 64 and NM 68.
Start on the west side of the old picnic ground and hike about 2-1/2 miles up to the peak. This is a moderate 1,100’ elevation gain. Then stay on the loop trail and meander about 3 miles back down. Along the way, you’ll find great views of Taos Mountain, Wheeler Peak and Taos Pueblo lands. You’ll also find a variety of habitats along the trail from pinyon and brush on the south to pine and spruce on the north side of the loop.
Yerba Canyon and Manzanita Canyon
This is a great loop trail up through lush alpine scenery to Lobo Peak. With all the stream crossings and greenery, you’ll find it hard to believe you are in New Mexico with the high desert of Taos just a few miles down the road. This loop starts about 10 miles up the Ski Valley road from the intersection with NM 522 north of Taos. Look for the Yerba Canyon trailhead sign.
The whole loop is about 9 miles so if you prefer a shorter hike, just head up from either trailhead as far as you like and turn around. Some folks find all the stream crossings a bit of a pain, but scenery is worth it and your dog will love them!
