FATMAP by Strava

La Tierra Loop

Santa Fe's go-to winter trail system.

Trail Running Moderate

Distance
11 km
Ascent
197 m
Descent
197 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.1 km
High Point
2.2 km
Gradient
La Tierra Loop Map

La Tierra is one of Santa Fe's go-to trail systems, especially in the winter. Depending on the temps and how the snowstorms roll in, La Tierra usually stays runnable 12 months per year. On the flip side, it gets blistering hot in the summertime, but the locals will still frequent the trails due to the convenient access from town.

Description

This complex trail system is a downright spaghetti bowl of singletrack that can be very difficult to navigate, even if you're following a mapped route through the network. Most of the trails here are old-school social trails that have been adopted into the system. The narrow singletrack bobs and weaves through the low juniper trees. Some of the trails can feel awkward as they rocket up short, steep climbs and rattle down rocky descents on the other side.

The loop mapped here covers the majority of La Tierra, looping through the many interconnecting trails without making too many awkward turns or requiring too much checking of the phone. If you do get turned around, just whip out FATMAP and get back on track.

It's very easy to cut this loop to make it shorter. One good option for a shorter loop is to head back toward the trailhead when you reach the bottom of the Hustle & Flow mountain bike trail, following the final stretches of this route.

Difficulty

Moderate

Low Exposure

1 out of 4

The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

all year round

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area