3 Best Hiking Trails in Albuquerque, NM

"Petroglyph National Monument is a National Park site and is an archaeological site with thousands of prehistoric Native American etchings on basalt boulders. Petroglyph National Monument contains patterns and symbols that Native Americans and Spanish settlers carved into volcanic rocks 400 to 700 years ago. This monument of 7,200 acres is co-managed by the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque Open Space. Petroglyph National Monument has 20,000 petroglyphs and provides the public with opportunities for leisure and education. Tourists can hike the trails from sunrise to sunset in the Volcanoes Day Use Area, Rinconada Canyon, and Piedras Marcadas Canyons. Rinconada Canyon is a 2.2-mile hike.

"La Luz Trailhead is a 15.2-mile trail that is generally considered an easy trail route. This trail is an out-and-back type. It takes a total of 8 hours and 6 minutes to complete the trail. A 2.3-mile loop below a canopy of cottonwood trees is also available. The trail's path leads from the hot desert landscape to the cool forested areas typical of the region. The elevation gain is 3,200 vertical feet. Visitors can explore the beauty of nature while trekking. Tourists can also enjoy beautiful views of magnificent trees, such as ponderosa pines, rising along the hike. La Luz Trailhead features a wheelchair-accessible parking lot and restroom facilities for the convenience of hikers.