As part of our Dream Trail series, in partnership with the Visit Santa Fe and Santa Fe County, we present the Tour of Santa Fe Singletrack. Read on for everything you need to know to get rolling!

DREAM TRAIL – Tour of Santa Fe Singletrack Ride Overview

In what has to be the best sampling of the singletrack trails Santa Fe has to offer, our route takes you through the foothills of Atalaya, into the Dale Ball network as you climb into the Southern Rockies before descending one of the wildest rides in the area. This ride has the potential to be an all-day affair, so pack accordingly!

Tour of Santa Fe Singletrack Quick Hits

Difficulty: Intermediate
Bike: Mountain Bike – Rigid, Hardtail, Full Suspension
Distance: 27 miles
Elevation: 4000′
Estimate time: 3-5 hours
Best time of year: Late Spring through Fall
Tour of Santa Fe Singletrack – LINK TO GPS ROUTE

Need to Know

Weather: During the summer months, monsoon rainstorms build all morning before breaking in the early afternoon. They can last from anywhere from twenty minutes to hours long. Be sure to check the local weather before embarking on this ride, pack a rain jacket, and if you are caught out in a thunderstorm, seek cover.

Water: There are several perennial streams, as well as multiple springs along the route, so bring a water filter.

Routing: This is a vetted and bedded route, straight from town and even though it’s only 27 miles, it will challenge even the fittest of riders. So, take your time, bring a lunch, and enjoy a small sampling of what this beautiful region has to offer. You’ll start in the foothills of Atalaya in the Dorothy Stewart and Dale Ball trail networks.

From there, climb up into the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, along Tesuque Creek, and onto Winsor. Take a break before climbing Chamisa to the top of Saddleback trail. Brace yourself for the descent down Saddleback and Juan. It’s a wild one! A short pavement climb gives you some time to recover from sore hands. End the ride with a whooping good time down the Luge trail in Dale Ball central before rolling back into town.

If you’re looking for a challenging sub-24-hour overnighter, you can break this ride into two parts by camping along the Winsor Corridor for an epic route!

Tour of Santa Fe Singletrack – Red Chile

See the gallery for more stunning vignettes from this Dream Trail ride and be sure to check out our Radavist Cycling Guide to Santa Fe for more rides!

Please, as with all trail activities, observe the Leave No Trace Principals, yield to uphill traffic, be nice, say hi, and in general, when you’re visiting new locales, be nice to the locals. :-)