Sandia Foothills

Cottonwood Springs Trail

WHY IT'S OUTSTANDING:

A paved wheelchair-accessible trail leads to a pond for wildlife viewing. There are several shaded rest areas along the trail, as well as interpretive tile art panels created by local artist Margy O’Brien. The pond is fed by a natural spring and was originally built as a cattle watering hole when the area was ranched by the Simms family.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take I-40 to the Tramway exit (Exit 167). Head north on Tramway Blvd. for about 6 miles and turn east on Simms Park Rd. At the entrance booth for the Elena Gallegos Picnic area, follow the road counter-clockwise around the entrance booth and head north. This road will end at the trailhead.

The Five Stones

WHY IT'S OUTSTANDING:

“The Five Stones of the Elena Gallegos” is a sculpture by artist Billie Walters and is a memorial to Philip B Tollefsrud. Tollefsrud was a leading proponent of Open Space and was instrumental in the effort to preserve the Elena Gallegos Land Grant. Sadly, he died in 1976 before his dream became a reality. The sculpture consists of 5 granite boulders and collectively represents humans in nature. The first stone contains 38 brass studs, one for each year of Tollefsrud’s life; the remaining stones symbolize the connection of humanity to the environment.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take I-40 to the Tramway exit (Exit 167). Head north on Tramway Blvd. for about 6 miles and turn east on Simms Park Rd. At the entrance booth for the Elena Gallegos Picnic area, follow the loop road to the right. The trailhead is at the east end of the road. The sculptures are located within the Albert G. Simms Park/Elena Gallegos Picnic Area at the start of the Pino Trail.

There is a day use fee of $1.00 per car on weekdays, $2.00 on weekends.

Hilldale/Tijeras Canyon Trail

WHY IT'S OUTSTANDING:

The Hilldale/Tijeras Canyon Trail area is the southern terminus of the Sandia Mountains before rising into the Manzano Mountain range to the south. When hiking this area, take a moment to imagine the history of Tijeras Canyon as a pass between Albuquerque and satellite communities to the east. Communities such as Carnuel were established by governors to serve as buffers for Albuquerque against Indian attack. It wasn’t long ago that from this trail you would be looking down upon horse drawn carriages going to town for supplies.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take I-40 to the Tramway exit (Exit 167). Go north on Tramway Blvd. Head east at the first traffic light, which is Encantado. Follow Encantado around and head east on Hilldale. Stay on Hilldale until it ends.

Piedra Lisa Canyon

WHY IT'S OUTSTANDING:

Piedra Lisa means “smooth rock” in Spanish and refers to the cliff face worn smooth over time by water as it cascades down the canyon. Sometimes it is only a trickle, but the presence of water gives life to a narrow riparian area consisting of cottonwoods, coyote willows, New Mexico olives and hackberry trees. Follow the Canyon Trail about 1/4 mile, marked by green arrows, up to the top of the waterfall for a view across the city, west mesa and out to Mount Taylor.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take I-40 to the Tramway exit (Exit 167). Take Tramway Blvd. north to Candelaria Rd. and head east on Candelaria until it ends at Camino de la Sierra. Head south and go about 1/2 mile, the parking will be on the east side of the street.

Pino Trail

WHY IT'S OUTSTANDING:

This trail provides access to the Sandia Mountain Wilderness and eventually connects to the Crest Trail, allowing you to climb to the very top of the Sandia Mountains. This is also one of the very few trails in the Sandias that is open only to hikers (horses are allowed on the continuation of the trail in the USFS Wilderness area). The view from the top of the trail is among the best in the Sandia Foothills Open Space.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take I-40 to the Tramway exit (Exit 167). Head north on Tramway Blvd. for about 6 miles and turn east on Simms Park Rd. At the entrance booth for the Elena Gallegos Picnic area, follow the loop road to the right. The trailhead is at the east end of the road.

There is a day use fee of $1.00 per car on weekdays, $2.00 on weekends.

South Trail 365

WHY IT'S OUTSTANDING:

Trail 365 provides opportunities for extended hikes through the entire Sandia Foothills Trail system. The trail meanders through numerous granite outcrops and gravelly arroya beds. Trail 365 gains elevation between Indian School and Copper and provides beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley. Many other trails exist and provide alternative loops for shorter adventures.

HOW TO GET THERE:

The trail can be accessed from four different trailheads: 1) the east end of Copper Ave., 2) the east end Indian School Rd., 3) the east end of Menaul Blvd., and 4) just south of the east end of Candelaria Rd.