Albuquerque Biking Trails: Easy, Moderate & Difficult

Albuquerque offers a wide variety of biking trails with difficulty levels to accommodate any rider. Here are reviews for three such trails in the local area.

Paseo del Bosque - This is the easy bike path. It is 16 miles long and is uninterrupted by roadways. This bike path passes under all the major highways and offers numerous places to start. Along the ride you will see camels, lamas, and ostriches; as well as, road runners, coyotes, ducks, cranes, ospreys and geese. The path passes the Rio Grande Zoo, the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, and the Rio Grande Botanical Garden. The trial is accessible from either end from Alameda and Rio Bravo open spaces. There is no charge for access. It is a flat path that is highly traveled by bikers and pedestrians alike. (The trail is temporarily closed because of construction on the I-40 Trail and the Rio Grande Crossing. The trail will reopen after July 26, 2010)

Petroglyph National Monument Volcanoes Park - The trail system here offers a moderate bike trail. The park is located on Albuquerque's West mesa and is open seven days a week. Entrance to the park is free. The trail system begins in the parking area and has several routes. Distance is from one to two miles depending on which trail you take. The views are scenic and spectacular here.

Elena Gallegos Picnic Area - The difficult bike trail is accessible from the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area. The challenging trail is 230. It has steep mountain inclines and challenging desert environments. The fee her is $1.00 on Monday through Friday and $2.00 on Saturday and Sunday. There are a network of multi-use trails here, so you will see hikers, bikers and riders on horseback.

Albuquerque has over 400 miles of bike paths and trails. You can visit the cities website for a comprehensive map of all the bike paths available. There is a wealth of information on cycling in Albuquerque; including bicycle safety, trail etiquette, and links to bike clubs, groups and events.

Resources
City of Albuquerque Website, Ellen Gallegos Picnic Area & Albert G. Simms Park

City of Albuquerque Website, Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

City of Albuquerque Website, Bike Path Map

New Mexico Touring Society, Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

National Park Service, Petroglyph National Monument