Taos Area Mountain Biking

The Taos area offers the best mountain biking in all of New Mexico. The variety and beauty are unlike anything the state has to offer. This is not, however, Disneyland mountain biking. Meaning, riders need to have their wilderness skills intact. Come prepared for varied weather conditions. Monsoon season starts around the middle to end of July and lasts into September. This means rain, snow, and hail at or above 10,000 feet, so bring enough clothing to cover your arms and legs. Trails are poorly marked and sometimes not marked at all. So, orientation skills are important to prevent getting lost in unfamiliar territory. For rides lasting over three hours, always bring as much food and water as you can carry. This is a place where a little imagination and preparation can lead you on the adventure of a lifetime. Come to Taos Cyclery for accurate trail information and all the maps you’ll need to insure a safe and happy return home.

Taos Area Mountain Bike Trails

South Boundary Trail - This is the one you’ve heard about. Over twenty miles of luscious single track. The trail can be done in a variety of ways ranging from an end to end, or tourist version; to an all day ride including any number of adjoining trails. This is our marquee trail and not to be missed.

Rift Valley Trail, West Rim Trail, and Horse Thief Trail -
These are all along the beautiful Rio Grande Gorge. These trails range from beginner to advanced intermediate. They include some old jeep road and single track with scenic views all along the gorge. These are most popular in the late fall and early spring seasons.

Devisadero Loop and Talpa Traverse Trails - Local gems just minutes from the center of town. Devisadero offers all anyone could want in a hard hour of technical mountain biking. While the Talpa Traverse is famous for its early season skills building.

Northside at Taos Ski Valley - This pay to use area is a legend in the making. Although known for its steep terrain, it's also some of the most scenic riding in all of Taos County. Trails are being put down yearly, so intermediate as well as expert level riders can enjoy the experience. The saying “ What goes up must come down” has never applied more than here. For more information go to www.RideNorthside.com.

Woodpile Trail - One of the hardest trails to find in some of the most beautiful forest around. Hard climbing followed by insanely fast descending. You’ll never have more fun being lost. What more could you ask?

Cerro Vista - This is El Rey, the King of mountain bike rides. Even the shortest version of this monster is around 40 miles; with a 65 mile loop that includes the Woodpile Trail; and an 80 mile loop with the South Boundary Trail as a cool down. Riders start at 7,000 feet and climb to 11,900 feet along rough abandoned forest road. This one is for the strongest endurance junkies only.

These are just a sampling of what’s out there. Come by Taos Cyclery and we can customize any ride for your ability as well as provide the right maps.

5-11-12

The forecast this season is for normal monsoon patterns. This is good as it means a healthy and accessible forest. It also means riders should be prepared for wet and cold conditions year round. Monsoon storms are usually in the mid to late afternoon and can be short and intense. At higher elevations this can mean hail or snow. If the pattern is afternoon thunderstorms bring wet weather gear. This includes shells or any other arm, leg, head, hands, and feet covers. Avoid trails when wet, our soil is clay called "caliche" and it will destroy bike parts as well as leave trail destroying ruts when ridden wet. As always, have your orientation skills intact; bring enough food and water for the day's ride; and be prepared for trail side repairs. This year's tip: bring the proper hanger for your bike frame's rear derailleur. We stock many, but not all, types of derailleurs, even bikes we don't sell.

The closer you get to the gorge rides the trails become rockier and more cactus filled. So stay on the trails and bring your flat repair kit. These include West Rim, Horse Thief, and Rift Valley trails. Town rides like Devisadero Loop (Expert) and Talpa Traverse (Intermediate) give riders more alpine like riding but are still pretty rocky. Most higher elevation rides like South Boundary and The Woodpile trails will dry out by the end of May with the really high rides out of Northside at Taos Ski Valley opening in June. After that all trails should be ready to go. Contact us for trail conditions and suggestions before your trip.