Perched along the western face of the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande, Albuquerque offers a variety of recreational trails and other outdoor activities. Pedestrians, dog-walkers, hikers, and mountain bikers have many paths to explore that connect the city with Cibola National Forest.
Many of these trails connect some of Albuquerque's most beautiful residential neighborhoods with places where you can elevate and enjoy. Most offer free parking adjacent to or near the trailheads.
Today's adventure takes you to a portion of the trail system at Embudito Canyon. Albuquerque's Open Space Division offers a parking area on Trailhead Road NE in the Glenwood Hills neighborhood. The easiest way to access this site is to take Montgomery Boulevard NE east of Tramway Boulevard.
Convenient Access
Similar to other trailheads in the Albuquerque area, the trails at Embudito Canyon provide convenient day-use access for most visitors. The adjacent city roads and parking area are paved and generally accessible throughout the year. However, no paved pathways exist along the trails, so those requiring wheelchairs or other forms of mobility assistance will find most of this path to be inaccessible.
A short pathway takes visitors to the boundary between the city limits and Cibola National Forest. This location does not have the picnic areas or portable restrooms found at some locations, so plan accordingly. No overnight camping sites exist, but plenty of memorable views await those who visit.
Shortly after entering Cibola National Forest, hikers are encouraged to take a route that requires climbing along the hills that lead to higher mountain elevations. A portion of an earlier route into the canyon remains popular, but climbing beyond that site is strongly discouraged.
The Hill and Mountain Path
After entering the national forest, we notice a junction where paths diverge. The preferred trail for long-distance hikers takes us along the hill and mountain path that ultimately connects with other trails that reach the South Sandia Peak, Sandia Crest, and other pathways that span from Placitas to Tijeras, and beyond.
The hill and mountain path includes sections with moderate climbs and impressive overlooks. Although frequently used by hikers and even skilled mountain bikers, those climbing this well-marked trail should expect some loose rocks and areas with steep dropoffs.
As one climbs along the hill that turns into a mountain, they should prepare to encounter short stretches where elevation gain becomes signficant, as well as occasional areas where the pathway remains level.
Bringing along water is highly recommended, especially for those who have limited experience hiking in higher elevations. Larger rocks allow for occasional places to rest. Although the trip down this path often takes a lot less time than the climb, watch for areas where you must walk slowly to maintain secure footing.
The Lower Canyon Path
The lower canyon path offers a great alternative for those who wish to stay on a sandy path with few obstructions. Visitors who walk their dogs prefer this path, along with those who enjoy a trail with a slight but manageable elevation gain.
Portions of this trail serve as a slight arroyo during heavy rainfalls, a path for water coming down the mountain to drain into the valley.
Although the hill and mountain path remains open throughout the year, climbing portions of it may be dangerous without proper shoes and gear after significant ice and snowfall. During these times, the lower mountain path remains a great alternative.
The lower canyon path curves southward to offer a view of the Embudito Canyou area. From the parking lot, this round-trip path is slightly more than one mile in length.
A Great Urban Escape
Locals love to visit Embudito Canyon and the other Sandia foothills. Future posts will cover additional locations you may wish to consider visiting during your time in New Mexico.
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