Albuquerque Bosque Trail: Campbell Road to I-40 (East)

The Paseo del Bosque Trail Loop offers a delightful escape into nature right in Albuquerque, blending smooth paved paths with more adventurous dirt singletrack through the cottonwood forest along the Rio Grande. You'll ride through shaded "tree tunnels" and enjoy views of the distant Sandia Mountains, with opportunities to spot diverse wildlife like sandhill cranes and roadrunners, especially near the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.

This easy 7.3-mile (11.7 km) mountain biking loop, with only 23 feet (7 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 46 minutes to complete. It's a multi-use trail, so expect to share the path with others. If you plan to explore the unpaved sections, be prepared for sandy spots and the notorious "goat-heads" (thorns) that can cause flat tires; carrying flat-fixing tools is highly recommended.

Recognized by Sunset Magazine as one of the best bike trails in the West, the Paseo del Bosque Trail is a vital urban greenway connecting various parks and cultural institutions. A particularly special time to visit is during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in early October, when you might catch colorful balloons floating overhead from the trail.