OUTDOOR RECREATION
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With
310 days of sunshine per year, Albuquerque is the ideal location for
outdoor activities with four distinct seasons and fantastic year-round
weather. Mild winters and pleasant warm summers make Albuquerque a
year-round destination. The Sandia Mountains provide excellent terrain
for hiking and mountain biking in the summer and skiing or snowboarding
in the winter. The city’s location in a high desert rift valley lends
itself to hot air ballooning, cycling, golfing, rock climbing,
bouldering, geocaching, bird watching, fishing, rafting, llama trekking,
horseback riding and much more.
Elite athletes come from around the world to train here alongside
locals and visitors who take advantage of the miles of hiking and biking
trails that crisscross the metro area, connecting the cottonwood forest
of the Rio Grande Valley with the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.
Albuquerque is regularly named as one of America’s “Fittest Cities” by
Men’s Fitness magazine.
Bosque Trail
Albuquerque also has a vast network of paved bike trails
throughout the city, including the gem of the network, the Bosque Trail.
Traversing the city for approximately 16 miles along the Rio Grande,
the Bosque Trail winds through mature cottonwoods, wetlands and ample
open space, where roadrunners, lizards and coyotes can often be spotted.
Bike lanes on many of the city's streets and miles of open road on the
outskirts are more reasons that Albuquerque has earned a solid
reputation as an excellent city for cyclists.
View an Albuquerque bike map
Rio Grande Nature Center
Located on 270 acres of riverside forest and meadows, the
bosque, as this wooded area is called in the Southwest, is home to
100-year-old stands of cottonwoods and a cattail marsh alongside a pond.
Threaded throughout are more than two miles of trails offering a sense
of isolation and tranquility. More than 260 species of birds make this
their temporary or permanent home. The visitors center, built partially
underground, houses a library and exhibits on the ecology, geology and
history of the Rio Grande Valley. (505) 344-7240
http://www.rgnc.org/
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway & Ski Area
The world's longest double reversible bi-cable aerial tramway, a
glorious mountain setting and a varied recreational playground come
together to make a marvelous getaway anytime of the year. The Sandia
Peak Tram travels 2.7 miles from the base of the foothills northeast of
Albuquerque to the top of the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak. From the lower
terminal, the tramcar travels suspended over rugged boulders and rocky
mountain landscapes, and the city drops beneath you as you glide over
the lush ponderosa forest. The view from Sandia Peak encompasses more
than 11,000 square miles on a clear day. The view is one of deep rugged
canyons, extinct volcanoes, distant mountains, unusual formations carved
by erosion and a sensational desert landscape. At the top of the peak
riders can enjoy a drink and then ride the tram down, ski down the other
side of the mountain on snow-covered slopes in the winter/spring
seasons, or ride the primary chairlift at Sandia Peak Ski Area in the
summer and fall.
During the winter, the Sandia Peak Ski Area is a popular destination
among visitors and residents alike. In addition to the Tram, you can
also access the ski area via the Turquoise Trail to the Crest National
Scenic Byway. Ski rentals are available at the ski lodge, but skiers can
also take equipment with them on the Tram. In the summer, enjoy the
cool temperatures and fresh mountain air while riding a chairlift or
mountain biking on a series of trails across Cibola National Forest.
Bike rentals are available at the base or the top of the chairlift.
(505) 856-7325 http://www.sandiapeak.com/
Petroglyph National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument contains more than 20,000 images
pecked in stone. Some are recognizable as animals, people or crosses
& other more mysterious. All are inseparable form the landscape
& from the spirits of the people who created them. The images carved
onto these black rocks provide an opportunity for people today to share
the cultures of those who long ago inhibited and traveled through the
Rio Grande Valley. The monument provides a variety of hiking
opportunities from basic nearly flat hikes to moderate hikes of several
miles to discover hundreds of petroglyphs. (505) 897-8814 www.nps.gov/petr
Golf in Albuquerque
The Albuquerque high desert climate is perfect for golf with desert
links, parkland and mountain courses, we offer arguably the most
diverse golf experience available in one area. The Albuquerque area
offers 14 public and private courses in varying levels of difficulty,
several of which are on Native American land. For additional information
about golfing in Albuquerque, check out the Golfing page or visit www.itsatrip.org/golf.
Wildlife West Nature Park
The 122-acre wildlife refuge and enhanced zoo features native New
Mexico plants and animals. All the animals and birds in the enhanced zoo
are non-releasable. The park is an educational project of the New
Mexico Wildlife Association and is staffed by volunteers and members of
the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps. The park offers educational
programs, weekend cultural celebrations and space for private parties.
(505) 281-7655
http://www.wildlifewest.org/