🌲🥾Albuquerque’s Top 3 Hikes—and Why Tree Spring Trail Keeps Me Coming Back

As someone who’s lived in the Albuquerque area for over 20 years—and logged more trail miles than I care to admit—visitors often ask me the inevitable question: “What’s the best hike in Albuquerque?”

Well, read on for my response!

Ah yes, the classic “what’s the best hike in Albuquerque?” question. And like any good answer in the outdoor world, it starts with two words: “It depends.” (Annoying, I know—but true.) It really comes down to what you’re looking for. So here are three solid options based on different activity levels—plus my personal go-to that works for just about everyone.

My answer really depends on what you’re after:

• Looking for a long, leg-busting climb? Tackle the legendary La Luz Trail.
• Want a variety of hiking and mountain biking right in the city? Check out Elena Gallegos Open Space for a variety of easy loops, moderate routes, and more challenging options like Pino Trail.
• Prefer something short, scenic, and a little off the beaten path? Then let me introduce you to my personal favorite: Tree Spring Trail.

🥾The Classic Grind (but a beautiful one): La Luz Trail and Its 3,200-Foot Climb

This one rarely surprises anyone. La Luz is Albuquerque’s flagship hike—7.5 miles (one way) with a leg-burning 3,200-foot climb to the top of Sandia Peak. It’s tough, it’s beautiful, and it’s absolutely worth the effort.

For those who thought hiking it wasn’t quite painful enough, there used to be the annual La Luz Trail Run. I’ve done it multiple times and lived to tell the tale. The race stretched 9 miles and climbed over 4,000 feet, starting farther down the road to give runners space before funneling onto the trail. It sold out every year, with a lottery system for one of the 400 coveted spots permitted by the U.S. Forest Service. Sadly, the race met its end in 2021, when Cibola National Forest decided not to renew the permit. A tough loss for mountain masochists everywhere.

But fortunately, La Luz is always a great hike, and you can run it if you want to. Here’s a link to learn more about La Luz Trail. Unless you have an annual pass, the parking fee is $5 at the La Luz Trailhead (cash or check only).

By the way, if hiking just one direction on La Luz—either up or down—sounds more appealing than doing the full round trip, you’re in luck. The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway makes that possible. Check out my post about the Sandia Peak Tramway for tips on how to use it to knock out one leg of your hike, and to get the scoop on the connecting trail you’ll need at the bottom. (Spoiler: the tram base and La Luz trailhead aren’t exactly neighbors, so you’ll be hiking over 9 miles one-way, unless you park two cars.)

🌄 The In-City Escape: Elena Gallegos for Hikers, Bikers, and View Seekers

If you’re looking for something more accessible, Elena Gallegos Open Space is a local favorite that offers a little bit of everything—easy loops, moderate routes, and more challenging options like the Pino Trail, a 9.2-mile out-and-back climb (4.6 miles each way) up to a saddle of Sandia Peak. Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking, or just out for a scenic stroll, Elena Gallegos Open Space is one of the best all-around outdoor escapes right in the heart of the city. The fees are $1 per vehicle Monday – Friday, and $2 per vehicle Saturday – Sunday.

🌲 My Go-To Favorite: Tree Spring Trail on the Cool Side of the Mountain

Now, let’s talk about the hike I always recommend for those looking for something short, scenic, and worth the drive: Tree Spring Trail.

Located on the east side of the Sandia Mountains, Tree Spring is part of what locals call the “East Mountains.” If you’re in Albuquerque, you’ll need to hop on I-40 East and drive about 35 minutes to get to the trailhead—but it’s worth the mileage.

🧭 Getting There: How to Find the Tree Spring Trailhead (Before You Lose Cell Service)

• Take I-40 East from Albuquerque.
• Exit at 175 toward Cedar Crest / NM-14.
• Drive 6.5 miles north on NM-14 to NM-536, a.k.a. the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway.
• Turn left onto NM-536 and follow it for 5.5 miles until you see the Tree Spring parking lot on your left.

Heads up: construction is underway to convert the NM-14 and NM-536 intersection into a roundabout, so the area may look a little different depending on when you visit. You’ll also spot a Shell gas station and The Lazy Lizard Grill here—a solid post-hike stop for pizza, a cold drink, and maybe even some live music if you time it right.

One more thing: cell service gets sketchy as you drive up NM-536, so send your texts and make those calls before you start the climb.

🚗 What to Know Before You Hit the Trailhead: Passes, Pit Stops, and Picnic Tables

As of the latest info, parking is $5 per vehicle. It’s a self-service (cash or check only) pay station. So bring exact change, preferably dollar bills, if you’re paying cash. Too many coins and your envelope won’t fit in the slot, and that’s probably not how you want to start your hike.

Annual passes—including the New Mexico Enchantment Pass and Interagency Passes—are also accepted here. If you don’t have one but want to join the club, you’ll need to swing by the Sandia Ranger District office in Tijeras during business hours to pick one up.

You’ll also find picnic tables and a restroom at the trailhead—perfect for fueling up, regrouping, or just taking a moment before you hit the trail.

🥾 On the Trail: Pines, Alpacas, and a Surprisingly Good Workout

Part of the trail is multi-use, so you may run into hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and yes, I’ve even seen alpacas. Once. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. In winter, the shaded sections of the trail can become very icy, but it does attract a few snowshoers. And where there’s snow and ice, there’ll be mud in the spring, so plan accordingly.

Tree Spring Trail starts at an elevation of 8,470 feet and climbs to 9,440 feet, which means you’ll trade scorching temps for cool mountain air, shady stretches of forest, and—depending on the season—a little snow or mud to keep things interesting. In summer, it’s smooth sailing. The trail is well-marked, easy to follow, and a great intro to high-elevation hiking in the Sandias.

But come winter, it’s a different story. Snow can blanket the trail entirely, turning a casual hike into an unintentional game of “where’s the path?” Many trees are tagged with helpful blue blazes to keep you on course, but a fresh snowfall will bury the clues—and the footprints of anyone who came before you. So bring your sense of direction, a good layer, and maybe a healthy respect for the mountain’s ability to humble even the most confident hikers.

You’ll pass through stands of ponderosa pine—yes, the bark really does smell like vanilla—and enjoy some scenic overlooks as you gain elevation.

You’ll come across two trail signs along the way—both marking paths that run perpendicular to Tree Spring. In both cases, ignore the detours and keep heading straight. The first sign you’ll spot is for the Oso Corridor Trail. Just stay the course and continue over the rocky stretch pictured below.

The second sign appears near the top of the trail—for the 10K Trail. Keep heading straight through the opening between the two fence posts… otherwise you’ll miss the grand finale.

Just two miles from the trailhead, you’ll reach the saddle of Sandia Peak and be rewarded with sweeping views of Albuquerque to the west. It’s often windy up here—so yes, this is one of those literal “hold onto your hat” moments.

🔁 Downhill: Where Your Lungs Celebrate and Your Knees File a Complaint

From the overlook, it’s a 2-mile descent back to your car—and probably a reminder that your knees aren’t quite the spring-loaded marvels they used to be. Most hikers finish the round trip in 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on pace, snack strategy, and how long they stare wistfully into the distance pretending they’re in a Patagonia ad. Lingering is highly encouraged.

Back in my trail-running days, I cranked out the whole thing in just over 52 minutes—not that I was keeping track or anything. (Okay, fine. It was 52:16.) These days? I stop to soak in the view, savor the silence, and enjoy the absence of email notifications. Call it mindful hiking, or aging with style. Or maybe it’s just that the cell service is spotty and I can’t run like I used to. But “mindful hiking” sounds better, so let’s go with that.

🚙 Back to the Trailhead—and Maybe the Lazy Lizard

Because every hike deserves a proper ending—and by “proper,” I mean pizza, a cold drink, and a place where sweaty clothes don’t raise eyebrows. Just down the hill on NM-14, the Lazy Lizard Grill delivers all of the above, plus live music on the patio if you time it right. It’s the kind of spot where post-hike calories don’t count, and nobody cares if you still have pine needles in your hair.

🌄 Final Take: Peace, Pines, and a Bit of Elevation

If you’re looking for a short, scenic hike that’s just far enough off the beaten path to feel like an escape—without needing to train for an ultra-marathon—Tree Spring Trail is tough to beat. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and manageable for a wide range of hikers, including families.

So grab some dollar bills, leash the dog, and point your wheels east. The mountains are calling.

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Thought for the Week

For this week’s “thought for the week,” I’ll leave you with a quote that’s stuck with me ever since I first heard it—simple, clever, and true. It didn’t come from a granola-crunching wilderness guide or a fitness influencer with a GoPro. It came from George Macaulay Trevelyan, a Cambridge academic and historian from the early 1900s who made English history read like a novel. G.M. Trevelyan (1876–1962) spent much of his life buried in books, yet he clearly understood the unmatched clarity and calm that comes from a good walk in the woods.

Trevelyan believed in the healing power of movement—of getting out of your head and into your legs. And honestly, that’s what Tree Spring Trail delivers. It’s not just about elevation gain or Instagram-worthy views (though you’ll get both). It’s about stepping away from screens, schedules, and to-do lists, and letting your “two doctors” do their work. Whether you charge up the trail like it’s a race or meander your way to the top with plenty of snack breaks and pine-sniffing detours, you’ll come back better than you started. And that’s the kind of medicine we could all use a little more of.

“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.”
— G.M. Trevelyan

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Thanks for reading and happy travels!

Mark Aspelin, The New Mexico Travel Guy (www.newmexicotravelguy.com), is a travel writer and author of two books who has enjoyed a wide variety of adventures in his travels to over 100 countries and all 50 U.S. States.  His current project involves visiting EVERY town in his home state of New Mexico (there’s over 500 towns) and writing a story about each one.  He’s on track to finish the project by his early-mid 100s. When not traveling, Mark lives as a recluse in the mountains outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.