Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Albuquerque to Albuquerque in New Mexico, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to October: best colour late September to mid-October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Culture, Nature, Classic road trip, Adventure.

Northern New Mexico Grand Loop: Santa Fe, Taos & the Enchanted Circle

Q: How long is the Northern New Mexico Grand Loop: Santa Fe, Taos & the Enchanted Circle route?

This route takes 9 days taking in 7 stops.

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The route · 7 stops

6 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Albuquerque

2 nights

New Mexico's biggest city and the trip's gateway. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to a 10,000 ft overlook, wander Old Town's adobe plaza, and see ancient rock carvings at Petroglyph National Monument. Two relaxed nights here help you adjust to the altitude before heading north.New Mexico's biggest city and the trip's gateway. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to a 10,000 ft overlook, wander Old Town's adobe plaza, and see ancient rock carvings at Petroglyph National Monument. Two relaxed nights here help you adjust to the altitude before heading north.

Recommendations

1h 41m · 121 km drive to Santa Fe

Santa Fe

2 nights

The 400-year-old state capital and the cultural heart of the route. Browse galleries along Canyon Road, trace Pueblo and Spanish history around the central Plaza, and visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Arrive via the Turquoise Trail for old mining villages and wide desert views.The 400-year-old state capital and the cultural heart of the route. Browse galleries along Canyon Road, trace Pueblo and Spanish history around the central Plaza, and visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Arrive via the Turquoise Trail for old mining villages and wide desert views.

Recommendations

1h 33m · 112 km drive to Taos

Taos

2 nights

Reach Taos on the High Road, a winding mountain drive through Chimayó and old Spanish villages. Base here two nights for Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site lived in for over 1,000 years, the dramatic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and the 84-mile Enchanted Circle day loop around Wheeler Peak.Reach Taos on the High Road, a winding mountain drive through Chimayó and old Spanish villages. Base here two nights for Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site lived in for over 1,000 years, the dramatic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and the 84-mile Enchanted Circle day loop around Wheeler Peak.

Recommendations

1h 54m · 137 km drive to Chama

Chama

1 night

A small mountain railroad town near the Colorado line, set among aspen and meadow at 7,800 ft. The reason to come is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a coal-fired steam train that climbs over the 10,015 ft Cumbres Pass on the highest and longest narrow-gauge line in the country.A small mountain railroad town near the Colorado line, set among aspen and meadow at 7,800 ft. The reason to come is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a coal-fired steam train that climbs over the 10,015 ft Cumbres Pass on the highest and longest narrow-gauge line in the country.

Recommendations

1h 28m · 105 km drive to Abiquiú

Abiquiú

1 night

Georgia O'Keeffe's red-rock country on the Chama River. The banded sandstone cliffs and mesas at Ghost Ranch inspired decades of her paintings. Hike to Chimney Rock or join a landscape tour, then stay a quiet night in a setting that contrasts sharply with the mountain towns.Georgia O'Keeffe's red-rock country on the Chama River. The banded sandstone cliffs and mesas at Ghost Ranch inspired decades of her paintings. Hike to Chimney Rock or join a landscape tour, then stay a quiet night in a setting that contrasts sharply with the mountain towns.

Recommendations

1h 3m · 76 km drive to Jemez Springs

Jemez Springs

1 night

Drop into the Jemez Mountains for red-rock canyons, hot springs and volcanic country. See the towering Soda Dam, the vast Valles Caldera grassland (a collapsed supervolcano), and the cliff dwellings of Bandelier National Monument, an easy detour by way of Los Alamos.Drop into the Jemez Mountains for red-rock canyons, hot springs and volcanic country. See the towering Soda Dam, the vast Valles Caldera grassland (a collapsed supervolcano), and the cliff dwellings of Bandelier National Monument, an easy detour by way of Los Alamos.

Recommendations

On the way

Albuquerque
1h 23m · 99 km
Close the loop back in Albuquerque on the scenic Jemez Mountain Trail and US-550. Return the car or stay a final night in the city. If you time the trip for early October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta makes a spectacular send-off.Close the loop back in Albuquerque on the scenic Jemez Mountain Trail and US-550. Return the car or stay a final night in the city. If you time the trip for early October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta makes a spectacular send-off.
Recommendations

Northern New Mexico Grand Loop: Santa Fe, Taos & the Enchanted Circle