Information
Landmark: Arroyos del Norte TrailsCity: Taos
Country: USA New Mexico
Continent: North America
Arroyos del Norte Trails, Taos, USA New Mexico, North America
Overview
Just north of El Prado, near Taos, the Arroyos del Norte Trails wind through open sagebrush, a hushed maze of high‑desert paths tucked away in northern New Mexico.Tucked away under the Bureau of Land Management’s care, this quiet trail network leads you into the raw heart of the Taos Plateau, where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains lift against the horizon and the sky stretches like a vast blue canvas.The trails wind along the western rim of Taos Valley, crossing a high-desert plateau marked by dark volcanic earth, stands of juniper, and shallow arroyos etched by bursts of seasonal rain.The land feels both untamed and calm, its low hills carrying specks of black lava rock and strands of grass whispering as the breeze passes through.All along the route, there are spots where visitors catch sight of Wheeler Peak, its snow-dusted summit rising as New Mexico’s tallest mountain against the far-off sky.The air here feels crisp, carrying the sharp scent of sage that drifts in after a summer storm.The land lies in deep quiet, pierced now and then by a raven’s cry or the faint hiss of wind sliding through brittle, sun-bleached brush.The Arroyos del Norte Trail System winds through a series of looping paths, easy to moderate in difficulty, perfect for hiking or mountain biking beneath the rustle of juniper trees.Just off U. S. Highway 64, the main trailhead leads to easy dirt paths that wind through the open desert, where the air smells faintly of sage.Many hikers choose the Overlook Loop, a gentle climb that opens onto sweeping views of the Rio Grande Gorge, while the Sage Loop winds quietly through dense sagebrush and the dry, narrow cuts of small washes.Trail markers are few and far between, just a splash of paint on a rock now and then, making the hike feel more like a true exploration.The ground shifts underfoot with loose, sandy patches, and at roughly 7,000 feet, the thin air adds a quiet strain-made sharper by the sun’s heavy summer heat.Walk in the early morning or late afternoon, when the air feels cool and the sun spills warm gold across the plateau.On this stretch of plateau, you’ll find an unexpected mix of plants and animals-hawks circling above, lizards darting between sun‑warmed stones.Cottontail rabbits hop across the dusty trail, lizards flick into the grass, and prairie dogs vanish into burrows, while hawks, ravens, and now and then a golden eagle drift in slow circles above.Through the year, the landscape changes-late spring brings the gentle burst of Indian paintbrush and purple asters, while autumn settles into the dry, muted gold of rabbitbrush.With its untouched beauty and deep quiet, the area is perfect for birdwatching or simply sitting in stillness, far from the chatter and traffic of the busy Rio Grande Gorge Bridge just down the road.You’ll find the trails about ten miles north of Taos, with the main trailhead reached by a brief drive down a crunching gravel road just west of Highway 64 near the quiet community of Arroyo Hondo.Parking’s free all year, but don’t expect much-no restrooms, no water, not even a bench in sight-so bring what you need.In winter, a fine layer of snow often settles on the plateau, muffling sound and sharpening its quiet beauty; summer trades that hush for blazing sunlight and sudden, heavy monsoon rains.No matter the season, pack light layers, wear sturdy shoes, and carry plenty of water-enough to hear it slosh in your bottle.Walking the Arroyos del Norte Trails feels like stepping into an ancient stillness, where the horizon unfurls on all sides and your footsteps blend with the low, steady hum of the desert wind.It’s the kind of place where time holds its breath, and sunlight drifts slowly over sage leaves and warm, rough stone.If you’re looking to connect with northern New Mexico’s land in peace, these trails deliver-simple footpaths winding under wide skies, with the steady hum of open country carrying beneath the deep blue Taos sky.
