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Rift Valley Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.1 (85)
  1. Areas
  2. NM
  3. …North Central New Mexico
  4. …Río Grande del Norte National Monument
  5. Taos Valley Overlook Trails
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“This is a beginner trail that is also a lot of fun for advanced riders. ”

Paul Lowe
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Map Key

12.6

Miles

20.4

KM

90%

Singletrack

7,001' 2,134 m

High

6,682' 2,037 m

Low

723' 220 m

Up

723' 220 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Family Friendly Beginner/intermediate terrain, excellent views.

Overview

This trail is almost 100% tight, winding singletrack. You'll be pedaling almost the entire time. No big climbs or big descents. You'll ride along the Rio Grande Rift Valley. It is one of only two places in the world you can witness a rift valley (the other one is in Africa). You can also see the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance.

Need to Know

Desert riding, so bring water. The Rio Grande is a long way down. Trailhead on State Rd. 68, but a better ride from the trailhead at 110.

Description

This ride can be done clockwise or counterclockwise. This description is written from the clockwise perspective. It is well marked and there are other trails you can add to the ride.

Follow the sign for the Rift Valley Trail from the 110 trailhead. There is a sign for a hiking trail that will take you to the bottom of the rift valley and there is another trail that takes you to an overlook, avoid these.

You'll start with a doubletrack downhill. You'll cross over some rolling hills and find the Rift Valley Trail crossing the doubletrack. Turn left (toward 68) following the sign and start a gradual climb. Stay left at the intersection with Floodplain Trail toward the 68 trailhead. Once at the 68 trailhead, turn right following the Rift Valley Trail.

You'll start a gradual descent past Floodplain Trail ending at Escarpment Trail. Hang a left at Escarpment Trail and start ascending. You'll cross over La Gijosa Trail along with some rolling hills. Stay left at the crossing with Sediment Trail. Then turn right and descend toward the Rio Grande Gorge.

You'll then turn north along the rim of the gorge. There are some short punchy climbs and views of the valley below. Stop and check out the Taos Junction Bridge and people watch of those enjoying the river below.

You'll come back to the intersection with the doubletrack that you turned left on. Stay straight to do the loop again, try out some other trails, or turn left back to the trailhead where you began.

History & Background

The Rio Grande works its way through the rift valley below. This is one of only two places in the world where you can find a rift valley. For more details about what that is, check out the BLM webpage.

Contacts

Land Manager: BLM New Mexico - Taos Field Office

Shared By:

Paul Lowe with improvements by Shari Heier and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 85 votes

#1

in Taos Valley Overlook Trails

#187

Overall
  4.1 from 85 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Taos Valley Overlook T…

#4

in New Mexico

#187

Overall
58 Views Last Month
18,994 Since Jun 16, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
20%
15%
64%
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Photos

Rift Valley Trail during November
Nov 23, 2017 near Ranchos…, NM
Some downhill segments of flowy singletrack.
Jun 17, 2015 near Ranchos…, NM
Rio Grande River below.
Jul 9, 2016 near Ranchos…, NM
Great views and interesting vegetation to someone from the Southeast
Aug 13, 2018 near Ranchos…, NM
This is a wonderful trail with beautiful scenery
Aug 13, 2018 near Ranchos…, NM
Beautiful views of the Rift Valley.
Jun 22, 2019 near Ranchos…, NM

9 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 4 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 4, 2024
David Ham
Out to Escarpment and back to Zipper Drop. 14.6mi
May 3, 2023
Matt Smuts
Nov 12, 2022
Mike McD
2h 02m
Nov 7, 2022
Dave Stamm
Oct 19, 2022
Atsuko Ohtake
Sep 20, 2022
Beka E
Nov 6, 2021
Daylene York
13.1mi
Oct 17, 2021
Michael Purcell

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