Cibola National Forest is a national forest spanning over 1.6 million acres, primarily located in New Mexico. It is characterized by its unique "sky island" mountain ranges, such as the Sandia, Manzano, and Mt. Taylor, which rise significantly above the surrounding landscape. This diverse geography creates varied ecosystems, from piñon-juniper woodlands to ponderosa pine forests, providing a range of environments for several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. The varied terrain across Cibola National Forest offers…
137
Routes
4.8
(72)
Average rating
1429
People visited

5.0
(5)
82
hikers
12.7km
05:51
1,040m
60m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.5
(2)
22
hikers
8.78km
03:24
340m
340m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
22
hikers
2.70km
00:58
80m
70m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.5
(2)
12
hikers
6.70km
02:26
190m
190m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

8
runners
6.84km
01:14
360m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

1
runners
6.70km
01:01
170m
160m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

1
runners
22.6km
03:59
1,190m
1,190m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

1
runners
5.31km
00:52
270m
270m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

9.59km
01:02
170m
170m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
11
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
13.4km
01:18
310m
310m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

68
riders
79.2km
03:29
850m
850m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

58
riders
57.9km
02:41
660m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(1)
43
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
25
riders
40.9km
02:03
570m
570m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

53
riders
17.2km
01:45
280m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

38
riders
20.6km
02:01
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
riders
12.8km
01:16
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
45
riders
26.8km
02:30
400m
400m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

47
riders
29.3km
02:47
480m
480m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

12
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
20.5km
02:17
630m
630m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Cibola National Forest offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, and Gravel biking. The forest features approximately 800 miles of trails across its diverse landscapes. More than 200 routes are available on komoot, with an average rating of 4.84 stars.
Popular hiking trails in Cibola National Forest include the Sandia Crest Trail, Manzano Crest Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and Timber Peak Trail. The Sandia Mountain Wilderness area also offers trails like the South Piedra Lisa Trail. For more options, explore the Hiking in Cibola National Forest guide.
Yes, Cibola National Forest provides options for easy hikes suitable for various skill levels. These trails offer gentler paths for those seeking less strenuous outdoor experiences. A dedicated guide for Easy hikes in Cibola National Forest is available.
Cibola National Forest is a popular mountain biking destination with diverse terrain, from smooth singletrack to technical sections. Key areas include the Sandia Ranger District and the Mt. Taylor Ranger District. Popular trail systems for mountain biking include Placitas Area trails, McGaffey Trail system, and the Manzanita Trail system. Bikes are not permitted in designated Wilderness Areas. Find more details in the MTB Trails in Cibola National Forest guide.
Yes, Cibola National Forest offers scenic drives and recreation areas suitable for road or gravel riding. The Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway is a notable route for road cyclists. Information on routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in Cibola National Forest guide.
The forest is characterized by its 'sky island' mountain ranges, including the Sandia, Manzano, and Mt. Taylor. It features diverse ecosystems ranging from piñon-juniper woodlands to ponderosa pine forests, spanning elevations from 5,000 to 11,301 feet. Notable natural monuments include seasonal waterfalls like Travertine Falls and North Sandia Peak.
Regulations regarding dogs on trails in Cibola National Forest generally permit leashed dogs. Visitors should always check specific trail or wilderness area rules before bringing pets. It is important to practice Leave No Trace principles and properly manage pet waste.
Cibola National Forest offers outdoor activities year-round, with conditions varying by elevation. Higher elevations provide cooler temperatures, especially during warmer months. Visitors should consult specific ranger district information for current conditions and recommendations based on their planned activity.
Cibola National Forest is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 6,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The available routes have an average rating of 4.84 out of 5 stars. There are 216 total routes recorded across various sports.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Cibola National Forest, covering various activities. These include guides for Hiking, Easy hikes, Running Trails, Waterfall hikes, Road Cycling Routes, MTB Trails, Cycling, and Gravel biking.
The official website for Cibola National Forest is fs.usda.gov/cibola. The Supervisor's Office can be reached by phone at +1-505-346-3900. Specific ranger districts may have their own contact numbers for localized inquiries.
Cibola National Forest is home to diverse wildlife, including mule deer, black bears, and mountain lions. Bird enthusiasts may spot species such as the Abert's squirrel, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles. The varied ecosystems support a wide range of animal habitats.

