What you should know about the Santa Fe Rail Trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico

I  recently rode the Santa Fe Rail Trail (also known as the Santa Fe bike trail). It was one of the best mountain bike trails I’ve ever ridden. But you should know that it is very different than other rails-to-trails projects. So I’ve come up with a list of important information about the Santa Fe Rail Trail:

  • It is 15.1 miles long.
  • It is 3.5 miles of paved trail followed by 11.6 miles of dirt single-track mountain bike trail.
  • It starts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • It can easily be accessed by using the Rail Runner commuter train that runs between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM.
  • You should plan on using a mountain bike on this trail.
  • The trail is more of a “rail beside trail” as opposed to rail-to-trail.
  • It is a pretty darned good trail during the spring & fall but can get beastly hot during the summer and quite cold during the winter.
  • It is best accessed via the South Capitol Rail Runner station.
  • It has a microbrewery (Second Street Brewery) located alongside the trail, but not many other refreshment stops.
  • One of the easiest hotels from which to access the trail is The Santa Fe Suites near St. Francis and Zia streets.
  • Spending a little time in Santa Fe before and/or after your ride is highly recommended.
  • You will see lots of cactus on your bike ride.
  • You may see coyote or road runners while on the bicycle path.
  • The best place to get trail information, a Santa Fe Trail map, and bike trail pictures is at the Santa Fe Rail Trail web page on trailsnet.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/05/20/what-you-should-know-about-the-santa-fe-rail-trail-in-santa-fe-new-mexico/

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Please take a couple moments to cast a vote for the Rails to Trails Conservancy in the “Members Project” grant money contest.

Currently the Conservancy is in a tie for first place, so your vote could put them over the top.

Visit the Members Project website to cast your vote for the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

They have made it extremely easy for you to vote, especially if you have a Facebook account. It costs you nothing and could earn $200,000 for new and improved trails. Please vote before Sunday, May 23, 2010.

Thank you!!!

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/05/20/rails-to-trails-conservancy-2/

New Mexico Trails

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days.

I just got back from New Mexico where I rode the Santa Fe Rail Trail and the Bosque in Albuquerque. I had great weather and good biking. I especially enjoyed riding the train from Santa Fe to Albuquerque between my two bike rides.

Information about the Bosque Bike Trail in Albuquerque is available on trailsnet.com.

I’ll post information about the Santa Fe Rail Trail soon.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/05/19/new-mexico-trails/

Wheelchair Accessible Trails

I am extremely pleased to announce that I’ve discovered a website that features wheelchair accessible trails.

It is www.wheelchairtrails.net. It provides access information about San Francisco Bay Area parks.


imgres.jpgYou’ve probably read my rants about the senseless focus on only mountain bike trails and road bike routes. 


Yes, I’m an avid mountain biker, and I realize there are hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy riding on mountain bike trails and on roads. But I believe there are even more people who would enjoy riding bikes if they had access to multipurpose trails such as rail-trails. 


everyone, regardless of age, ability, physical condition, or bicycle type. To help improve health, the environment, and family togetherness, we must promote bicycling for everyone, not just people of a certain age or ability.That is one of the reasons why I started trailsnet.com. It is a website that features trails for literally 


For a listing of multipurpose trails and multi-use paths throughout the U.S., visit trailsnet.com to find the best trails.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/05/11/wheelchair-accessible-trails/

Mother’s Day Bike Ride

If your mom likes the great outdoors or is inclined to being active, I would like to suggest a bike ride or hike for Mother’s Day this year. After all, the best gifts you can give your mother are health, happiness, and time with you.

Here are some trails you and Mom might enjoy:

Chief Ladiga in Alabama
Pikes Peak Greenway in Colorado
West Orange Trail in Florida
Silver Comet trail in Georgia
Munro Trail in Hawaii
Route of the Hiawatha trail in Idaho

Click one of the links below to find biking trails and hiking trails by state:

Alabama trails
Colorado trails
Florida trailsGeorgia trails
Hawaii trails
Idaho trails
Louisiana trailsMississippi trails
Montana trails
New Hampshire trails
New Mexico trails
Virginia trails
Washington state trails
Wisconsin trails
Wyoming trails

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/05/08/mothers-day-bike-ride/

5 best New Hampshire Trails

Wow there are some great trails in the United States. I couldn’t tell you which state has the best trails, but New Hampshire would certainly rank up there pretty high. Last October, I had the opportunity to visit the following five trails:

Ammonoosuc Rail Trail in Littleton, NH
Ashuelot Rail Trail in Keene, NH
Cheshire Rail Trail near Keene, NH
Rockingham Recreational Trail near Manchester, NH
Northern Rail Trail near Lebanon, NH

What these trails lack in pavement, they make up for in scenery, ambience, & character. All of them wander through beautiful New England countryside. All of them would make awesome fall foliage rides, and all of them are easily accessible.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/05/07/5-best-new-hampshire-trails/