New Mexico Equestrian
- joannazattiero
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve
For those looking for a place to ride south of Albuquerque, El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve just might be for you! If you’ve ever driven on I25 South past Los Lunas, you’ve actually seen this fairly large and easily-accessible preserve whether you realized it or not. Sitting just west of the interstate and accessed from NM State Road 6, El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve provides access to miles of trails surrounding the volcanic butte (El Cerro, or "the hill") that is a major landmark for much of the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
While this area has been used for recreation for many years, only recently have Valencia County and the Village of Los Lunas put in a formal parking area, trailhead, and trail markers. The new trailhead is just over a mile west of I25 on the south side of NM highway 6. (see below)
Why it is noteworthy:
A good endurance-riding friend of mine who lives in Los Lunas (thanks, Leslie!) brought this area to my attention last year and I’m so grateful, as this is a nice place to ride. It is easily accessible with a truck and horse trailer, the trails are well-maintained and easy to follow, and at the time we rode there, the trails and parking area were not congested.
I love that this area is close enough to where I live in the East Mountains that I can get there in just over an hour, ride for a few hours, and then get home easily in a day, even in the shorter winter daylight hours. I also love that the area is accessible year-round, as snow and ice are rarely a problem, and although it can get rather hot in the summer riding earlier in the day will help avoid the worst of the heat. I've definitely added this to my "go-to" list for day trips!
Trail description:
The main trails at the preserve are the El Cerro Loop Trail and the Summit Loop Trail, although there are a number of other trails winding through and around the hills that surround the 5,919’ summit. A sign at the trailhead shows many of the main trails throughout the preserve, which range from wide gravel paths and old double-track roads to singletrack. Footing includes sandy washes, hard-packed dirt/sand, gravel, and some rocky sections. Hoof protection of some kind is recommended due to the volcanic rock and gravel sections.
El Cerro Loop Trail circles the base of the butte and covers 4.2 miles, with access to many spur trails that can extend your riding time. This trail has low to moderate elevation change, some rocky sections, and nice views of the Rio Grande Bosque and surrounding high desert vistas.
The Summit Trail, as you might guess, leads up to the summit and is more challenging due to elevation change, narrower trails, and a few areas where the trail hugs the steep hillsides. This trail also intersects other spur and connector trails, allowing for a variety of distance and technical options and provides wonderful, sweeping views of the area.
If using a gps tracking app (I generally use EquiLab these days, but there are many other options including Gaia, Strava, CalTopo, AllTrails, etc.) you can look at overhead trail views showing where you are in the trail network and where other trails intersect, form loops and cutoffs, and where you can add mileage, find a shortcut back to the trailer, and/or avoid areas that you’d rather not ride through.
What you’ll see there:
Scenery at the preserve includes grand views of the surrounding Middle Rio Grande Valley and West Mesa as well as the Sandia and Manzano Mountains to the east. You’re likely see some of the regular inhabitants of the New Mexico high desert such as jackrabbits, lizards, roadrunners, foxes, and coyotes while there, and you’ll ride through yucca, sage and rabbit brush, native grasses, a few junipers, and various cacti. During the wetter seasons, you’re likely to see a profusion of wildflowers, as well.
This multi-use area invites hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers as well as equestrians, so be on the lookout for other trail users and remember to say hello and be kind and courteous to them, just as we all hope they’ll be to us and our horses. I’m regularly reminded that many other trail users have little to no experience with horses and riders, and although it should be common knowledge that all other trail users are expected to yield to horses, many simply do not understand this. If we are all courteous to the other trail users and, when needed, kindly let them know what to do when approaching horses on the trail, it tends to go a long way in fostering positive relationships between the equestrian community and other public-use stakeholders.
Facilities/accessibility:
The fairly large parking area is all gravel and does not have a specific area marked for horse trailer parking, although there is room for several trucks and trailers to pull in side-by-side. Be conscious of your space when parking, as you’ll need to park in such a way that you can still get out if more vehicles show up while you’re riding.
Along the trails there are several shade structures and a few picnic benches, which offer a nice place to stop and enjoy the views. There is no water available on trail or at the trailhead, nor are there bathrooms, so plan accordingly. Several gas stations and convenience stores are available nearby on NM-6 for any last-minute or after-your-ride needs. Preserve hours are 8:00am to 9:00pm every day, year-round.
Why it’s worth going:
El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve is a wonderful, lesser-known area for riding year-round and is easily accessible from much of the state due to its proximity to both I25 and I40. If you live at higher elevation and struggle to find places to ride in the winter that are not snowy and icy, this might be a great option for you. Alternatively, if you are seeking a new place to explore trails outside of the ABQ/Santa Fe metro areas or want to explore more of the Middle Rio Grande Valley, consider heading to Los Lunas to investigate this well-maintained and easily-accessible preserve!
Resources:
Comments