Santa Fe Rail Trail
EstablishedJuly 2010[1]
Length15 mi (24 km)[1]
LocationSanta Fe, New Mexico, United States
TrailheadsZia Road
Rabbit Road
Nine Mile Road
Avenida Vista Grande
Avenida Eldorado
Highway 285
UseCommuting, Hiking, Trail running, Mountain Biking
SeasonAll year
HazardsDehydration
Surfacepaved, natural

The Santa Fe Rail Trail is a multi-use trail, part of the trail system in the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trail begins at the Santa Fe Depot, in the Railyard arts district, and ends at U.S. Route 285, near Lamy, New Mexico and the Lamy station. An example of Rails with trails, it parallels the New Mexico Rail Runner Express tracks to roughly I-25, where it then continues along the Santa Fe Southern Railway. The Santa Fe Rail trail is 15 miles long, is asphalted for the first 3.5 miles, and improved natural surface for 11.5 miles. The last few miles between Eldorado and US-285 is unimproved natural surface.

Trailheads, crossings and access

The Santa Fe Rail Trail can be accessed via trailheads, connecting trails, and intersecting roadways in Santa Fe and Eldorado. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has stops on the trail at the Santa Fe Depot, South Capitol station, and Zia Road station. Major connecting trails are the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail (paved), the Spur Trail (improved natural surface), and Galisteo Basin trail system.

AccessMilepostDirectionsMap Coordinates
Santa Fe Depot0410 South Guadalupe Street35°41′03″N 105°56′48″W
South Capitol station1 mi (1.6 km)1301 Alta Vista35°40′23″N 105°57′26″W
Siringo Road crossing2.7 mi (4.3 km)connecting Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail
Zia Road station3.4 mi (5.5 km)602 West Zia Road, parking available35.6464°N 105.957°W
Rodeo Road crossing4.2 mi (6.8 km)Rodeo Rd and Siringo
Rabbit Road Trailhead5.0 mi (8.0 km)249-251 Rabbit Rd., parking available35.62771°N 105.96681°W
Spur Trail6.7 mi (10.8 km)connecting trail from Santa Fe Community College and
Nine Mile Trailhead8.8 mi (14.2 km)parking available
Avenida Vista Grande11.8 mi (19.0 km)in Eldorado
Avenida Eldorado13.4 mi (21.6 km)in Eldorado, parking available
Spur Ranch Road14.9 mi (24.0 km)
US-285 Trailhead16.7 mi (26.9 km)

Gail Ryba Trail

Small asphalted branch trail that connects the Rail Trail to shopping areas, neighborhoods, and a medical center. The Gail Ryba Trail starts at Saint Michaels near the Hospital, joins the rail trail thru an underpass at Saint Francis Drive, and ends at West Zia Road. Approximately 1 mile long.

Spur Trail

Improved natural surface trail that branches from the rail trail to connect to the Santa Fe Community College. The Spur Trail trailhead is located at the intersection of Richards Avenue and Avenida del Sur ( 35.5988°N 106.0014°W ). Approximately 3 miles long.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Rail Trail". Santa Fe Conservation Trust
  2. ^ "Rail Trail Map". Travel Bug. Retrieved 24 April 2020.