Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe Santa Fe Rail Trail follows the old Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line, beginning at Santa Fe’s Railyard Park on the southwestern end of the city and continuing to Highway 285 in Lamy. The pathway parallels the Santa Fe Southern Railway, an active tourism line, in a configuration known as rail-with-trail.
Beyond the capital city, the trail makes its way through El Dorado and runs through hilly, red-dirt terrain among a beautiful landscape of yucca, junipers, and piñon trees. A traditional rail-trail on its northern end, its paved for nearly 4 miles between the Railyard and Rabbit Road. Beyond that, the surface is hard-packed dirt and significant elevation change best suited for mountain bikes. Be especially cautious after a rainfall as the trail conditions can become muddy.
In Lamy, history buffs may want to check out the century-old depot in town. The station (at 152 Old Lamy Trail) serves Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route between Chicago and Los Angeles. Learn more about the region’s past at the nearby Lamy Railroad and History Museum.
Parking is available at several points along the trail, including at the southern end of the trail along Hwy 285. See TrailLink Map for more information.
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.
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.
We had a great ride on this trail today. We had planned to go the entire way and back but when we got close the end, at the last road crossing, we lost the trail. It just disappeared. So we turned around and headed back. 30+ miles round trip from our Airbnb which is a 15 minute walk from the rail yard starting point. Loved the dirt portion of this trail especially!! Very much an up and down rollercoaster feel that is fun to ride.
This is not really a rail trail; it is a trail beside a rail. If you prefer level or steady grades like rail trails, this one will be a disappointment. The dirt trail portion is in good condition although there are several washes with deep sand. It is picturesque and the roller coaster nature of it keeps it exciting, but I can't say that it was an above average experience.
Rode here last week down to Eldorado. Had to turn around due to time constraints but really enjoyed the rolling nature of the dirt pack to the east. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a leisurely desert ride. Least favorite part was paved and concrete sections in town with the sizable cracks but not unpleasant, more so inconvenient. great ride in and out of the train depot.
We ride from near the plaza downtown Santa Fe. It was a great ride. We have cruisers with 7 speeds and it was fine. We turned around about 6 miles from Lamy. The only downside was having to cross a couple of busy 4 lane rouses.
not suitable for a cruiser bike
While taking a picture of the Trail Head off Rabbit Rd ( N35.62771 W105.96681 ) I was informed that starting 0.2 miles north the trail is asphalt for 3.6 miles into town. I found an excellent trail with some at grade street crossings. Up and down to cross the arroyos, with one bridge that has parallel planks that made it very smooth for my Tri-Cruiser, but may be a hazard for skinny tires.
The “ Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail” joins the Santa Fe Trail at Siringo Rd ( N35.65191 W105.96541 ) Noel Keller 18 May 09
My wife and I walked a portion of the Santa Fe Trail on the day after Thanksgiving in 2007. There was an inch or two of fresh snow that had fallen during the night which made it a beautiful but somewhat slippery walk. The Rabbit Road trailhead is easy to reach by going south on St. Francis, Santa Fe's main drag. Continue past I-25 to the dead end and turn right. The railroad tracks are about a half mile west, and a small parking lot is on the left. We saw broken glass mentioned by an earlier reviewer (five years ago), but local friends go there to run frequently and say the parking is safe.
The trail is great for walking or running, but it would be a pretty good workout on a mountain bike. For most of the mile we walked to the south, there were usually two choices. You could stay near the tracks where the trail was reasonably level, or you go up over the small hill for a good workout. After each small but steep hill, the two trails would come back together and then split again at the next hill. Even in the short distance we went, the views were beautiful, particularly on a snowy day. We are anxious to come back with our bikes so we can do more of the trail.
"I live in Eldorado (at Santa Fe), a half mile from the approximate mid-point of the Santa Fe to Lamy ride. While the rail tracks (still in use) do go all the way to the village of Lamy, the trail in fact does not.
If riding from Santa Fe or points in between, you will intersect state highway 285, about two miles (as the crow flies) from Lamy. It is well advised that at this point you turn onto 285 south (right) and ride approximately one mile to the Lamy (left) turn, if your goal is to reach the village.
If you stay off road, following the railroad, you’ll soon discover that there’s no real trail, for riders or hikers, with very rugged brush and steep ridges. It’s bushwhacking or riding on the rails themselves, never a good idea.
As of this writing (November 2004) the village of Lamy contains little more than homes and the railroad station, where the Amtrak passenger run that connects Los Angeles and Chicago stops twice each day, once east bound, once west bound, about an hour northeast of Albuquerque.
There have been a few incarnations of a restaurant and bar called the “Legal Tender” across the road from the station, but the latest has long been closed. Thus, there are currently no refreshments to be had in the village, unless there are vending machines in the Amtrak station.
The Lamy – Santa Fe railroad spur is still used for commercial and recreational purposes. There are excursion rides, the train may be booked for groups, and the railroad station is available to caterers, if a bit rough on accommodations.
As for the two-wheel ride, it’s quite beautiful, whichever way you take it. From Santa Fe’s Rabbit Road, you are in for about seven miles of dirt slalom, mostly single track, mostly mile downgrade (from Santa Fe’s 7,000’ to Eldorado’s 6,800’, to Lamy which is lower still), before crossing pavement, in the middle of Eldorado. You can turn back there, or go on to Hwy. 285, where you can also turn back, or go on to see Lamy.
For my money, the best seasons are any but June (hottest month here, and buggy), and spring winds, which can range from March through May, unpredictably."
"This is not a ""rail-to-trail"" but a ""rail-with-trail"" because the trail runs right alongside a railroad. This trail has a lot of ups and downs and short steep climbs. We caught this trail where it goes from pavement to dirt at the intersection of Zia Road and St Francis in Santa Fe. This is a trailhead with parking. From what we had read this trail was supposed to take us to the town of Lamy but as far as we could tell it dead ends into Highway 285 (a couple miles shy of Lamy according to the mile markers).
The dirt portion of this trail is about 13 miles long. We rode out and back for a total of about 27.5 miles and a little over four hours. There are a lot of off shoots on this trail and on most of the ride there is trail on both sides of the tracks. We encountered light trail traffic on a Sunday. It gets pretty hot in the afternoon in June."
"I rode this trail while vacationing in Santa Fe. I really enjoyed riding it. It's a rolling, dirt trail very different from most rail-trails. I rode in the late afternoon and early evening and the views were outstanding.
But beware of where you park. My rental car was broken into at the Rabbit Road parking area. After I discovered it, I saw broken glass in other spots, so it is an area where there are some problems. Parking on cross roads should be OK. This particular lot sits off the road and is a bit secluded."
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
