HomeNew MexicoLas Cruces › Soledad Canyon Loop Trailhead

Soledad Canyon Loop Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · Running trail in Las Cruces, New Mexico · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Soledad Canyon Loop Trailhead'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.

Natural surfaceLoopScenicHillyMile markers

What runners say about Soledad Canyon Loop Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (24 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🪧 well-marked 4 mentions

“The trail from the trailhead is uphill all the way - it is well marked, and the incline is mostly gentle (but I regret not being in better shape as I walk to the canyon!”

Easy hike. Rocky but firm footing. Greta trail for begnginers. The little water fall really only runs after snow melt or rain. Jan through Jun is the best times. You'll find mule deer Javilalina Mountian lions and oryx on this side of the mountain. Also keep in mind the Bar Trail breaks into different loops.

★★★★★ — Tc , Jan 2022

I completed the Soledad West Ridge Loop. It’s a 3.6 mile loop with 1,040 of elevation. I started in the canyon and made my way to the ridge across from Chimney Rock. It’s a fairly well maintained trail, much more narrow and it gets really tricky once you reach the top.

★★★★★ — Arturo , Mar 2024

Nice moderate hike. Did not expect to see an Oryx! The waterfall at the end was not more than a trickle, but it's been quite dry for weeks now... Please keep your distance from the Oryx. They are huge.

★★★★★ — D.J. , Mar 2024

This hike always reminds me that I am just a spot on the head of a pin in comparison to these mountain outcroppings. The trail from the trailhead is uphill all the way - it is well marked, and the incline is mostly gentle (but I regret not being in better shape as I walk to the canyon!

★★★★★ — Carol , Mar 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 24 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“The waterfall at the end was not more than a trickle, but it's been quite dry for weeks now.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“I completed the Soledad West Ridge Loop.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“The trail from the trailhead is uphill all the way - it is well marked, and the incline is mostly gentle (but I regret not being in better shape as I walk to the canyon!”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“The trail from the trailhead is uphill all the way - it is well marked, and the incline is mostly gentle (but I regret not being in better shape as I walk to the canyon!”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Large Rocky peaks surrounding the valley make it rather interesting.”

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Plan your run at Soledad Canyon Loop Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Where to find Soledad Canyon Loop Trailhead

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Get directions

Running trails near Las Cruces

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Soledad Canyon Day Use Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 434 reviews

Las Cruces, NM

3 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

Mountainous, pet-friendly destination offering various hiking trails, some with waterfall views.

under a mile away

Achenbach Canyon Hiking Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 40 reviews

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MixedScenic

Hiking area featuring a loop trail with views and rocky canyons.

1.4 miles away

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

4.8 ★★★★★ 161 reviews

Las Cruces, NM

MixedScenic

Scenic mountain range, canyon & woodlands with hiking, horseback riding, camping & mountain biking.

1.5 miles away

Dripping Springs Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,592 reviews

Las Cruces, NM

3 miLoopMixedShaded

Hiking trails through rock spires & scrub to 1800s resort buildings & a granite-wall spring.

1.7 miles away

Sierra Vista National Recreation Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 124 reviews

Las Cruces, NM

29 miNatural surfaceLitScenic

Hiking, mountain-biking and trail-running destination, with sweeping views and free camping.

2.6 miles away

Pine Tree Loop Trail Head

4.8 ★★★★★ 100 reviews

Las Cruces, NM

4 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Hiking area with scenic views, varying difficulty levels, and a primitive campsite.

4.8 miles away

All running trails in Las Cruces, NM →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.