The best walks and hikes around Torreon

Albuquerque Trail lies just north of the 4th of July Campground and travels through a mix of ponderosa pines, and maple and oak trees. It connects with the extremely popular 4th of July Canyon, which is truly spectacular during peak fall foliage. The Albuquerque Trail is primarily completed as a loop with the 4th of July Canyon Trail, but on its western side, you can link it with many trails, enabling you to make routes of varying length and difficulty.

Cerro Blanco is a 8,369-foot tall mountain just above 4th of July Canyon and Campground in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. Although this mountain is not particularly tall, it is a great destination if hiking up to the top of the 4th of July Canyon and you wish to add more elevation to your day or want to bag a summit! The top is a little treed-in, but you can still get nice views through the foliage.

4th of July Canyon is one of the most famous spots in the whole of the Manzano Mountains. Known for the abundance of maple trees, 4th of July Canyon in the fall is a must-visit; as the leaves change from green to orange, gold, and especially vibrant red, the canyon is truly awash with color.

Osha Peak stands at just under 10,000-feet at 9,313-feet above sea-level. It is most commonly approached from the east on either the Manzano Crest Trail or the New Canyon Trail, but you can also climb it from the west along the Trigo Canyon Trail or the long Osha Trail. The open summit is technically just off the Manzano Crest Trail and provides great views of Manzana Mountains and the desert beyond.

New Canyon Trail winds its way up New Canyon from the New Canyon Campground. This is a great trail through a steep-walled canyon of tan and orange rock. The trail ends at a junction with the Manzano Crest Trail and the Trigo Canyon Trail. You can pop on to the Manzano Crest Trail and tag Osha Peak if you're looking to add a little extra elevation to your hike.

The Capilla Peak Lookout is a historic fire-lookout on the top of Capilla Peak. First constructed in 1921, the spot for this lookout was chosen because although Capilla Peak is not the tallest in the area, it stands out from the main ridge, and provides great views of the entire range. Unfortunately, there have been many wildfires here over the years, so the tower has quite a bit of use gotten use in the last 100 years.

The Manzano Hawkwatch site is a vital location for monitoring raptor migration. Operated by HawkWatch International, the site has been active since 1985 and provides valuable data on raptor populations and trends. Each fall, thousands of raptors, including species like the Northern Harrier and Cooper's Hawk, pass through this area. The site is not only important for research but also offers a unique opportunity for visitors to observe these birds in their natural migration patterns. You can reach this spot via the Gavilan Trail off of Capilla Peak. Even if you are not a bird enthusiast, this is a spectacular lookout that is a must-visit if camping at the Capilla Peak Campground or in the area.

Gavilan Trail is a relatively short (.8 miles one way) but incredibly scenic out-and-back trail by the trailhead for the southern Manzano Crest Trail and the Capilla Peak Campground. The trail climbs steadily through the trees, with increasingly good views of the surrounding mountains as you draw closer to the top. The trail ends at a HawkWatch Observation Point, where migrating raptors and other birds are tracked, making this trail popular with bird enthusiasts.