Taos Mountain Biking: Trails and RecommenDations

The vast mountain and desert landscape of Taos, New Mexico, is home to some of the best mountain biking trails in the region. Whether you're looking for singletrack, doubletrack, a casual smooth ride along a canyon, or a trail with a bit more character and excitement, we've put together a list of our favorite trails near Taos and the Taos Ski Valley area. We wanted to include a variety of trails for every skill level, so they are broken down by difficulty, and we're positive you'll be able to find a trail to match your adventurous inclination!

TAOS MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS EASY WEST RIM TRAIL Overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge, the West Rim Trail is 10.1 miles of great views and easy riding. Located just 15-minutes from Taos, the primarily flat doubletrack trail offers unique vantage points of not just the Gorge but of the surrounding Taos landscape as well. It's a perfect option for families with aspiring young mountain bikers or a biker looking to just soak up the views. Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled for the local bighorn sheep population.

HORSETHIEF MESA LOOP Located just 20 minutes from Taos in the Arroyo Hondo is this nearly 13-mile exciting singletrack trail. Compared to other trails in the area, the Horsethief Mesa Loop has a manageable elevation gain of 943 ft. The trail is often described as a great introduction to Mountain Biking and is ideal for beginners looking to build up their endurance and strength.

ANGEL FIRE VALLEY SCENIC TRAILS The Angel Fire Valley Trails, located an hour from Taos, is a popular spot that offers a network of trails for all skill levels. For easy trails, check out the Elk, Deer, Sage, and Bear trails, all of which are under 2 miles long and have minimal elevation gain, making them ideal for a casual morning or afternoon ride. The Angel Fire Trails are multi-use and, with proximity to Taos, is a favorite spot for hikers and families as well.

INTERMEDIATE EAST FORK TO LOST LAKE Often described as the best singletrack ride in New Mexico, this loop trail is a showstopper. With 14 miles of high alpine terrain to explore, the East Fork to Lost Lake trail offers vast mountain views, river crossings, some steep slope traverses, and a perfect spot for a snack break with views of Lost Lake. You'll be sure to encounter a few nerve-wracking cliff exposures along the 2,327 ft climb through the beautiful Taos terrain but for those who live for that kind of thrill, this is a can’t miss.

NORTHSIDE - ALPINE WILDFLOWER LOOP One of Taos Ski Valley’s best, this nearly 10.5-mile trail will make you work for the 12,163 ft peak view. Start your riding adventure at the Twining Campground parking lot and get ready to climb through the steep mountainous terrain as you take in alpine meadows. Make a trip in late spring to get the added bonus of wildflowers. Northside does require permits to enjoy the trail but they can be acquired through their website or at the trailhead kiosk. The silver lining is that with the permit, you have access to the other connecting trails, such as Bull of the Woods Mountain and Wheeler Peak Trail.

CAPULIN LOOP A fun but challenging ride, the Capulin Loop offers some stellar views of the Carson National Forest. The 10.4-mile trail provides an outstanding balance of singletrack and doubletrack terrain. The Capulin Loop trailhead is tucked just a few miles outside Taos and is conveniently located off Highway 64. Fellow bikers rave about the views along this 9,696-foot trail.

DIFFICULT HIKE-A-BIKE 'TILL YOU RIDE! If you're a novice, we might suggest working your way up to this one. The black diamond rating on this nearly 15-mile trail will surely test your stamina and leg muscles. Included within the network of the Northside trail system, the Hike-a-Bike 'till You Ride trail is a challenging and steep trail that may require most people to, as the name foreshadows, hike-a-bike.

SOUTH BOUNDARY TRAIL #164 South Boundary is a local favorite. With 21.4 miles of proper Taos mountainous terrain, the South Boundary Trail is frequently rated as one of the top mountain biking trails in New Mexico. However, this trail tops out at 10,710 feet and tends to encounter snow throughout the majority of the year due to its high elevation. The trailhead begins on Forest Service Rd 76 East of Taos and navigates its way just shy of Taos, finishing along Hwy 64.

TAOS VORTEX At 15.2 miles, this grueling trail offers some of the best views and most challenging terrain, all close to downtown Taos. Kick start your ride at the El Nogal trailhead along Hwy 64 and traverse through the pines of the Carson National Forest. Prepare yourself as the majority of the 1,927 ft elevation gain is experienced at the beginning between miles three and six.

TAOS BIKE PARK TRAILS The dynamic terrain of the Taos Ski Valley offers opportunities for fun multi-purpose activities. With the recent addition of Mountain Biking trails to the off-season slopes, bikers have taken advantage of the multiple lift-serve bike trails. While all the trails within the Taos Bike Park require a Mountain Bike Lift Ticket, the high-quality trail system is unlike any other in the region.

EASY GREEN CHILE FLOW TRAIL The Green Chile Flow Trail allows Taos Ski Valley visitors to experience the mountain in a new light as it winds through familiar winter slopes like Shalako, Winklereid, Japanese Flag, and many more. At 3.9 miles, the switchback flow trail sweeps through the Kachina Basin. This one may be marked as “green” but here in the Valley, we take that with a grain of salt. It may fall in the “easy” category but maybe think of it as easy+. So, if you’re a true beginner maybe start somewhere else as this is trail meant for novices, not first-timers.

INTERMEDIATE BLUE TRAIL & RUBEZAHL RETURN TRAIL If you're looking to up your game and find a little bit more excitement on the trail, then the Blue and the Rubezahl Return Trail are great choices. Both trails are 1.5 miles long and offer a thrilling downhill descent packed full of stream crossings and excellent vistas.

DIFFICULT BLACK TRAIL Make sure your brakes are in tip-top condition before hitting this trail. Unlike the other Taos Bike Park trails, the Black Trail is not machine-made. This means every uneven path, rogue rock, and quick descents are yours for conquering. Located on the backside of the mountain much of the trail travels through “Arroyo Hono” which will take them to Lift 7.

Stay tuned because the Taos Bike Crew is working hard to offer more exciting trails in the near future!

TAOS MOUNTAIN BIKE RENTALS & RESOURCES If you're looking for bike rentals in the area or have an unfortunate spill and need to fix something, these two shops can be a great resource for your mountain biking needs.

KACHINA SPORTS Kachina Sports is an excellent bike shop that offers demos and beginner-level rentals. It's a one-stop-shop for all of your technical needs.

TAOS CYCLERY Located along the main strip through Taos on Hwy 64, the Taos Cyclery is an established and trusted resource for repair service and local trail knowledge.

The mountain biking trails surrounding Taos and the Taos Ski Valley are incredibly expansive and provide opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the landscape. If you're looking for alternative activities to enjoy surrounding Taos, check out the other outdoor activities Taos has to offer.