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La Cuchara Trailhead (La Tierra Trails)
4.8 ★★★★★ 98 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 25 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from La Cuchara Trailhead (La Tierra Trails)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about La Cuchara Trailhead (La Tierra Trails)
“If you live in the Albuquerque or Santa Fe area and love to ride or trail run get out here.”
Good hiking and biking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. They also have a technical bicycle trail with obstacles, jumps, etc. Some trails are wide, others narrow with lots of (fairly) short ups and downs, following the natural terrain. No real PUD's.
So much fun. 2 bike parks. Flowy trails. Well maintained. And the biking community is ace. Definitely a fun place to ride. I brought the dirt jumper, so any bike is good. All public and all free. If you live in the Albuquerque or Santa Fe area and love to ride or trail run get out here. You won't be disappointed.
Great easy-moderate clean trail for hiking or MTB. Got started about 8am and it was a great hike with few people on the trail. Trail is marked well with signs, numbers and maps along each path break. There are some elevation changes although I would consider them small. Highly recommend!
The Ridgetop Loop provides views that overlook the city at different locations. The website provides which markers to follow and pretty informative. Suitable for hiking and bike riding. Easy trail and conveniently placed on the outskirts of town.
Trail conditions & character
“The Ridgetop Loop provides views that overlook the city at different locations.”
“Photographed a shoot here, be very careful about what’s in your car in the parking lot - my rental car window was smashed and my wallet was stolen.”
“They also have a technical bicycle trail with obstacles, jumps, etc.”
“The Ridgetop Loop provides views that overlook the city at different locations.”
“The website provides which markers to follow and pretty informative.”
Plan your run at La Cuchara Trailhead (La Tierra Trails)
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance25 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesfct.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
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