Atalaya Mountain

Atalaya Mountain is a straightforward hike right outside Santa Fe, with a summit at 9,121 feet just a few miles from downtown.

What to Do

Atalaya Mountain Trail

The Atalaya Trail is the classic route to the summit of the mountain. The trail climbs steadily for about 3 miles through piñon-juniper woodland to ponderosa pine forest before reaching the broad summit. The round trip is roughly 6 miles with around 1,800 feet of elevation gain, making it a moderate to strenuous hike. The views from the summit stretch across Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains, and the Ortiz Mountains. Don’t feel bad if old people pass you during your hike up, they likely hike it every day.

Dale Ball Trail System

The Atalaya Trail is part of the larger Dale Ball Trail System, a 25-mile network of interconnected trails in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The system offers routes ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, all just minutes from downtown, and junctions make it simple to combine trails into loops of varying lengths. I have found that it’s easy to get lost, but because there are so many trails, you can always find your way back to town if you walk west!

How Much Time to Spend

Budget 3 to 4 hours round trip for the full summit hike, less if you’re just exploring the lower Dale Ball trails.

Getting There

The trail begins at either the lower trailhead near St. John’s College or the upper trailhead on Camino de Cruz Blanca. The upper trailhead saves you about a mile each way, but there are only 8 parking spots, so get there very early if you want one. Both trailheads are on paved city streets — no high-clearance vehicle needed.

If you only have time for one hike in Santa Fe, this is the one to pick — a real summit and a real workout, all within city limits.