Discover the 13,000-foot Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Spanish Colonial plaza, sacred dirt, and an 18th Century church painted by Georgia O’Keefe.
Heading through the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this 58-mile trek is the most panoramic route between Taos and Santa Fe. Start out from Espanola on U.S. 84, picking up Route 76 to Chimayo. Sights here consists of the fortified Plaza del Cerro, a remnant from the Spanish Colonial times, as well as the Santaurio de Chimayo, which draws the faithful from around the area for its sacred dirt believed to impart cures.
The well known Rancho de Chimayo is a great spot to fortify yourself before heading back on the road. From Chimayo, Route 518 ascends through forests past Truchas and Cordova, a former Spanish outpost built Read more . . .
Continuing on the drive from Espanola to Taos, this route takes you from the hustle and bustle of Taos into high, valleys, lakes, remote forests, and Wild West towns. The four-to five-hour loop snakes the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the nation’s highest mountain, as well as some outstanding ski spots. Heading east from Taos on U.S. 64, the road ascends through Taos canyon’s evergreen forests and past several picnic spots and campgrounds. After winding through the Carson National Forest, it climbs over a 9,101-foot pass and heads back down to farmlands and the ski town of Angel Fire.