Likely Santa Fe’s most well-known trail, the Winsor Trail starts in the village of Tesuque and continues deep into the Pecos Wilderness. For riders, most will try to shuttle starting at ‘Norski’, the Winsor drop in near the ski basin, and ride back to town via a series of trails that will bring you back into downtown.
The Winsor Special Selection is one of our favorites, utilizing the best parts of the Winsor Trail, connecting to another top descent, and eventually bringing you back through Dale Ball Trails into Santa Fe.
The Ride
- Trail/All Mountain
- Expert difficulty, due to route finding and fitness
- Best April-October (depending on snow conditions)
- Access from Norski Parking Area
- Total climb: 1,800′, Total descent: 4,800′
- Total distance: 13 miles
- Time needed: 3-4 hours
Starting by shuttling to the top of the Winsor trail (Norski parking lot), this route follows down the famous Winsor trail and ends in town. Beginning on the upper Winsor which is fast, loose, and zig-zags through the forest, the route takes you across Pacheco Canyon road and continues on the middle Winsor past Borrego and Bear Wallow trails.
After a few miles of descending, wake up your lungs as you’ll hang a left at the Chamisa Trail intersection (just past the large meadow) and climb the steep backside of the ridge. Once you reach the saddle of Chamisa, you need to continue right, following Saddleback trail, which climbs and descends along the ridge. Take in the view of downtown Santa Fe and Albuquerque from the final pitch on Saddleback and descend the loose and wild Sidewinder segment.
Hang a left onto the Juan Trail, which continues the fun descending down to the creek and Hyde Park road. At the bottom of the trail, make sure to continue to the road.
Follow right and climb ‘Nuns Corner’ on Hyde Park road up over the final rise, then descend a little bit before crossing the road to connect to Dale Ball Trails. If you miss the first entry, don’t worry you can hop in at Cerros Colorados rd.
Cruise Dale Ball back into town and end on upper Cerro Gordo road which you can follow downhill back into town.
Need to Know
- The Winsor Trail is particularly popular, especially between Borrego and Bear Wallow trails. Please be cautious and courteous to other trail users.
- This is a great summertime ride, so be prepared for inclement monsoons.
- If you use the Blue Bus to shuttle to the top, be prepared to be turned back on weekends. It will fill up often at the first stop.
- Take note that the climbs up Chamisa and Saddleback trails are steep and at high elevation. Try not to overdo it!
- Lastly, the climb up Nuns Corner via Hyde Park road can be bypassed by taking the Piedra Connector on Dale Ball North, although this is often hike-a-bike except for a very few.
