Turkey day has arrived and, hopefully, you’ve had a chance to enjoy all your favorite dishes, like tamales, enchiladas, and, of course, that perfectly browned turkey. If you indulged in all those goodies just a little too much, don’t worry! You may want to go on an easy hike or nature walk as a post-feast activity to get some fresh air, burn some calories, and enjoy New Mexico’s beautiful scenery. Here are some easy trails to do this weekend that will help you to walk off that Thanksgiving wobble, bond with your family, and feed your soul.
Note: Some of these locations may be closed on Thanksgiving Day but will be open the following day.
- Boca Negra Canyon Trail, Albuquerque
Peter Osmenda/AllTrails Want to incorporate a bit of history into your post-feast hike? Boca Negra Canyon Trail features a large number of petroglyphs on dark rocks along this super short trail. Length: 0.6 miles out and back Details: AllTrails
- Camino Cruz Blanca Trail, Santa Fe
Troy Buchleiter/AllTrails If part of walking off the indulgent calories includes engaging your leg and glute muscles just enough to feel a slight burn, you’ll want to check out this short trail in Santa Fe. Measuring just under two miles overall, this trail will have you steadily climbing the well-marked path to a spectacular view. Length: 1.8 miles out and back Details: AllTrails
- Crater Rim Trail, Capulin
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails This trail loops around the crater of Capulin volcano, located in eastern New Mexico. This area is typically busy in the summer months so you’ll find it a much quieter experience this time of year. The trail is easy to navigate and mostly paved, making it a fairly simple trek. Length: 1.1-mile loop Details:
- Marsh Overlook Trail, Socorro
Kenny Dillingham/AllTrails If spotting wintering birds sounds like your idea of a post-turkey activity, then you will love the sights and sounds along this trail near Socorro. See how many birds you can spot while strolling along the marsh’s banks. Length: 2.5-mile loop Details: AllTrails
- Mesilla Valley Bosque Trail, Mesilla
Jeni Sauce/AllTrails The weather this time of year is much milder in southern New Mexico, so taking a stroll along the Rio Grande is the perfect way to walk off that turkey dinner. This trail is the longest featured on this list but is also easy to navigate and is a fairly flat trail. Length: 2.5-mile loop Details: AllTrails
- Rio Grande Nature Center Trail, Albuquerque
Shamarie Shells/AllTrails This easy-to-access trail is located along the Rio Grande in Albuquerque and is one peaceful place especially after a large family gathering. The trail loops around a portion of the nature center and is mostly flat, making it an easy trek for anyone. Length: 1.1-mile loop Details: AllTrails
Which trail do you plan to check out this weekend?
Peter Osmenda/AllTrails
Want to incorporate a bit of history into your post-feast hike? Boca Negra Canyon Trail features a large number of petroglyphs on dark rocks along this super short trail. Length: 0.6 miles out and back Details: AllTrails
Troy Buchleiter/AllTrails
If part of walking off the indulgent calories includes engaging your leg and glute muscles just enough to feel a slight burn, you’ll want to check out this short trail in Santa Fe. Measuring just under two miles overall, this trail will have you steadily climbing the well-marked path to a spectacular view. Length: 1.8 miles out and back Details: AllTrails
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails
This trail loops around the crater of Capulin volcano, located in eastern New Mexico. This area is typically busy in the summer months so you’ll find it a much quieter experience this time of year. The trail is easy to navigate and mostly paved, making it a fairly simple trek. Length: 1.1-mile loop Details:
Kenny Dillingham/AllTrails
If spotting wintering birds sounds like your idea of a post-turkey activity, then you will love the sights and sounds along this trail near Socorro. See how many birds you can spot while strolling along the marsh’s banks. Length: 2.5-mile loop Details: AllTrails
Jeni Sauce/AllTrails
The weather this time of year is much milder in southern New Mexico, so taking a stroll along the Rio Grande is the perfect way to walk off that turkey dinner. This trail is the longest featured on this list but is also easy to navigate and is a fairly flat trail. Length: 2.5-mile loop Details: AllTrails
Shamarie Shells/AllTrails
This easy-to-access trail is located along the Rio Grande in Albuquerque and is one peaceful place especially after a large family gathering. The trail loops around a portion of the nature center and is mostly flat, making it an easy trek for anyone. Length: 1.1-mile loop Details: AllTrails
Are you already in the Christmas mood? Another fun activity that will get you out of the house and walking around is visiting Albuquerque BioPark’s River of Lights display, which opens this weekend. Read more in Even The Grinch Would Marvel At The River Of Lights At Albuquerque BioPark In New Mexico.
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Address: Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center, 6510 Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, USAAddress: 1160 Camino De Cruz Blanca, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USAAddress: Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico 88418, USAAddress: Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, USAAddress: Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USAAddress: Rio Grande Nature Center Bosque Trail, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107, USA
