While many think of the Winsor as a shuttle or connector route, the classic route is a simple out and back that gets your heart rate up with a big reward at the end.

The Ride

• XC/Trail
• Expert to Moderate difficulty, mainly due to fitness required
• Best June-October (depending on snow conditions)
• Access from Big Tesuque Canyon Trailhead
• Total climb: 3,600′, Total descent: 3,600′
• Total distance: 20 miles
• Time needed: 3-5 hours

Starting at the Tesuque Canyon trailhead, follow the Winsor trail straight up. The lower half crosses the creek many times before finally getting into a nice, undulating rhythm for a few miles.

You’ll climb until you reach the Big Tesuque intersection, where you’ll want to use that as your outbound climb. Eventually, you’ll take a small connector to Pacheco Canyon Road (FR 102) before hoofing the last bit on pavement via Hyde Park Rd up to the lookout and the drop in at Norski.

Enjoy the chunky Upper Winsor section before crossing Pacheco Canyon road again and then hooting and hollering your way back down to where you began.