Atalaya Mountain in Santa Fe National Forest, NM

Hike Atalaya Mountain Santa Fe National Forest, NM

Class 1 7.1 miles 2100 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Oct 22, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Atalaya Mountain GPX Track

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The trail to Atalaya Mountain is very popular, located just on the city limits of Santa Fe, NM. The trail is easy to follow and well-marked, and doesn't have much for views until an overlook at the summit. It's a nicely forested walk, though. The first few miles wind around the foothills before ascending the peak's west ridge. The trail crosses a road early on, and most views along the way are down toward Santa Fe, so it's not necessarily where you want to go for solitude. Halfway up, there is an option for a shorter, steeper shortcut (which is signed), or to take the scenic and slightly longer and easier route. We did the latter, and were happy we did. Otherwise, there were some steeper sections along the hike, but most of the time it's a pretty moderate grade. The final half mile or so is a bit eroded since hundreds of people have cut the switchbacks, and the final ridgeline approach to the summit includes various overlooks toward Santa Fe.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Atalaya Mountain
9121 ft
741 rise

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Atalaya Mountain trailhead. Peak seen ahead.
Atalaya Mountain trailhead. Peak seen ahead.
The trail meanders through the foothills.
The trail meanders through the foothills.
Image 2 from gallery
The trail crosses a raod.
The trail crosses a raod.
Atalaya Mountain ahead.
Atalaya Mountain ahead.
Junction where you can choose the steeper (left) route, or longer and more scenic route (right). We stayed right.
Junction where you can choose the steeper (left) route, or longer and more scenic route (right). We stayed right.
Image 6 from gallery
Atalaya Mountain above.
Atalaya Mountain above.
A steeper section of trail.
A steeper section of trail.
Switchbacks as we near the summit ridge.
Switchbacks as we near the summit ridge.
View back the way we came, just before reaching the summit ridge.
View back the way we came, just before reaching the summit ridge.
Summit ridge, heading to Atalaya Mountain.
Summit ridge, heading to Atalaya Mountain.
Lookout just below the Atalaya Mountain summit. Santa Fe seen below.
Lookout just below the Atalaya Mountain summit. Santa Fe seen below.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!