This section of the Santa Fe Rail Trail passes through the community of Eldorado at Santa Fe. An easy hiking and biking trail providing panoramic views of the Sangre de Christo, Ortiz, Sandia and San Juan mountains.

The Santa Fe Rail Trail follows the old Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line, beginning at Santa Fe’s Railyard Park in downtown Santa Fe and continues 17 miles to Highway 285 near Lamy, New Mexico. The trail parallels the Santa Fe Southern Railway, an active tourism line, in a configuration known as rail-with-trail.

Beyond the capital city, the trail makes its way through Eldorado at Santa Fe and runs through hilly, terrain among a beautiful landscape of sage, yucca, junipers, and piñon trees. It’s paved for nearly 4 miles on its northern end between the Railyard and Rabbit Road. Beyond that, the surface is hard-packed dirt. Be especially cautious after a rainfall as the trail conditions can become muddy in places.

In Lamy, history buffs may want to check out the century-old depot. The station (at 152 Old Lamy Trail) serves Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route between Chicago and Los Angeles. Learn more about the region’s past at the nearby Lamy Railroad and History Museum.