1
hikers
04:43
18.1km
120m
Hiking
The Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail offers a unique blend of urban accessibility and natural beauty right in Santa Fe. You'll find yourself following a charming chamisa-lined arroyo, with glimpses of local flora like Rubber Rabbitbrush and Eastern Cottonwood trees, all while enjoying distant mountain views. The trail is primarily paved, making for easy walking, but also features natural surface paths alongside for a more rustic feel. It's a moderate 11.2-mile (18.1 km) route with a gentle 404 feet (123 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 4 hours and 43 minutes to complete.
Planning your visit to the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail is straightforward, as it's well-integrated into Santa Fe's urban fabric. You can access the trail from various points within residential areas and near community hubs, with parking generally available. It's a great option for a leisurely outing, and since it's an urban trail, you can often find nearby amenities like cafes after your hike. The trail is suitable for year-round enjoyment, though spring and autumn provide the most pleasant weather conditions.
What truly sets the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail apart is its vital role as a connector within Santa Fe's urban trail system. It links parks, schools, shopping centers, and the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, making it a popular choice for locals seeking outdoor activity. The trail also connects to the longer Santa Fe Rail Trail, opening up possibilities for extended adventures. It's a family-friendly and dog-friendly path, perfect for a relaxed stroll or a longer walk within the city.
Last updated: June 9, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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18.1 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
15.1 km
1.50 km
1.01 km
512 m
Surfaces
12.3 km
3.63 km
1.69 km
459 m
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Elevation
Highest point (2,090 m)
Lowest point (1,990 m)
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Weather
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Today
Tuesday 25 August
33°C
16°C
17 %
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Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
The trail primarily features a paved pathway, making it accessible for various activities like walking, running, and cycling. While the main path is paved, you can also find natural surface paths alongside the arroyo itself. It has gentle elevation changes, described as 'up and down', and is considered easy to moderate in difficulty. It's also noted as being wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
Yes, the trail is generally considered easy and is very suitable for beginners, families, and those with strollers or wheelchairs due to its predominantly paved surface and gentle elevation changes.
You'll enjoy picturesque mountain views and the distinctive chamisa (Rubber Rabbitbrush) plants that line the arroyo, giving the trail its name. The arroyo also supports diverse plant life, including wildflowers like curly dock and prairie verbena, Eastern Cottonwood trees, cholla cactus, and Apache Plume. The route blends natural landscapes with urban and residential areas.
The trail is accessible year-round. However, spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities. Spring brings wildflowers, while fall showcases the changing colors of the chamisa and cottonwood trees. Summer can be hot, so early mornings or late afternoons are best, and winter can be cold but often clear.
Yes, the trail is a key part of Santa Fe's trail system and conveniently links with the Santa Fe Rail Trail. This connection allows for significantly extended outings, potentially creating combined routes of over 17 kilometers towards Eldorado.
The trail connects various community assets, including parks like Villa Linda Park and Monica Lucero Park, as well as shopping centers such as Santa Fe Place Mall and the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. These locations often provide convenient access points and parking options.
Yes, the trail is dog-friendly. However, all dogs must be kept on a leash at all times to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all trail users and local wildlife.
No, there are no permits or entrance fees required to access or use the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail. It is a publicly accessible urban trail.
The trail is well-integrated into the urban fabric of Santa Fe, connecting directly to several amenities. You'll find it links to Villa Linda Park, Monica Lucero Park, Santa Fe Place Mall for shopping and dining, and the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, offering various facilities nearby.
Absolutely. The trail's primary feature is its connectivity. By linking with the Santa Fe Rail Trail, you can easily extend your outing significantly, creating longer routes towards areas like Eldorado. This allows for a much more extensive experience than just the main paved section.
The main paved section of the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail is primarily a linear, out-and-back pathway that connects various points in Santa Fe. However, its strong connectivity with the Santa Fe Rail Trail allows for creating longer, more varied routes, including potential loops or extended linear journeys by combining trails.
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