Explore the best rated trails in Rio Rancho, NM, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Arroyo Vista Trail and Atrisco Trail . With more than 86 trails covering 232 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I road the entire trail yesterday both ways: over 17 miles. Trail is in good condition and offers beautiful views of the city below and the mountains above. Great, flat, paved trail!
Albuquerque has done a great job on their bike paths. We did the trail out and back, finishing with 35 miles. Well maintained and mostly right along the Rio Grand.
Thus is just a poorly maintained “bike” lane that stops and starts sporadically.
The Chris Chavez Trail is a nice wide, smooth asphalt paved trail. The pavement is in good shape, and there are a few benches along the way. There are no restrooms or other amenities. The trail runs along a drainage canal and through an industrial area of southern Albuquerque. We saw a few planes and a helicopter fly overhead from the nearby airport.
Lots of variety and space to explore. There’s a path for every person here with asphalt, wide dirt paths, smaller paths closer to the river, and paths that weave in and out of the trees and shrubs.
We came to the trail from Pennsylvania and our GPS got us close to a trail head at the end of a dead end street in the southern section around mile marker 9. We had to ask a person riding on the road where the trail was. Not well marked where we started and we just parked at the dead end. This was the most scenic trail I have even been on and it was absolutely beautiful. Other reviews warned that a part of the trail (that I was on) was a trail that followed "along side" railroad tracks and was not really a level Rails to Trails. They were absolutely correct. The trail followed level and straight railroad tracks but the entire ride for me was up and down hills following the terrain. I had a mountain bike and if I was on a hybrid I would have given up. There are some loose dirt portions and a lot of ups and downs. So much so that these were the hardest 10 miles (up and back) that I ever did. Could do with a hybrid but recommend mountain bike on this part of the trail. Be prepared for a workout.
This is not really a “trail” in my opinion. It’s a nice walk but noisy. Cabezon has become a very busy street.
Great trail. I rode the whole thing. Started at South end. Trail in that part is more sketchy, but it soon smooths out to basically a dirt road. There are lots of short climbs, so don't expect a flat rail trail. Like others have said, it is a trail, next to a railroad. It does NOT follow the railroad grade. That was perfect for me, as it was one of the best gravel rides I have done! Nice views. Some geocaches along the way if that is your thing. Not busy, but more hikers and bikers than I expected for a Monday.
Maps and hiking trail are great. It’s up and down but outlook points are beautiful.
We loved this ride on our e-bikes. But be careful some of the bike riders go way to fast for the conditions. I came across a wooden bridge with people walking on it, I respectfully walked my bike across and bike rider came sailing around the corner, did not slow down and nearly took us all out. No apology..nothing. There are congested areas on the trail..be careful
We visited Albuquerque and found this trail it was a great ride!
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