Atalaya Mountain

Atalaya Mountain provides amazing hiking opportunities right outside of Santa Fe. The summit reaches 9,121 feet and rewards hikers with panoramic views of Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains, and the surrounding wilderness. Despite being only minutes from downtown, the mountain feels surprisingly remote and provides an escape into nature from the bustle of the plaza.

Popular Trails

Atalaya Mountain Trail

The Atalaya Trail is the classic route to the summit of the mountain. It begins at either the lower trail near St. John’s College or the upper trailhead on Camino de Cruz Blanca. The upper trailhead will save you about a mile both ways but there are 8 spots maximum so get there very early. The trail climbs steadily for about 3 miles through piñon-juniper woodland to ponderosa pine forest before reaching the broad summit. The round trip is roughly 6 miles with around 1,800 feet of elevation gain, making it a moderate to strenuous hike. The views from the summit stretch across Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains, the Ortiz Mountains. Don’t feel bad if old people pass you during your hike up, they likely hike it everyday.

Dale Ball Trail System

The Atalaya Trail is part of the larger Dale Ball Trail System, which is a 25-mile network of interconnected trails in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The system offers routes ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, all just minutes from downtown. Junctions make it simple to combine trails into loops of varying lengths, with many routes offering views of Santa Fe and the surrounding mountains. I have found that it’s easy to get lost but because there are so many trails, you can always find your way back to town if you walk west!