Red, Green, Hatch Chiles… Bite Into The Spicy Taos MTB Scene

When the word “Taos” is uttered, there’s usually two things that come to mind: skiing and art. While this is true, another thing that’s registering on the radar for this region: mountain biking. Taos MTB is an opportunity to experience the unique culture of this region AND get a dose of that adrenaline all mountain bikers need. Here’s a list of some of the most popular trails that every off-road cycling traveler should put on their checklist when visiting.

A Rounded Vacation Destination

Before you delve into Taos MTB, one thing you need to think about for any mountain biking destination is what else is there to do? Sure, riding on two wheels is fun but you need to have some leisure time too. The town of Taos and the surrounding region has SOOOO much more to offer beyond the singletrack. You’ll find culture older than the United States, unique cuisine, and amazing scenery. We suggest checking out our Taos guide for a closer look:

Why Angel Fire Is the Crown Jewel of Southwest Bike Parks

You’d think with most of New Mexico being high desert, the dirt and weather would be pretty much the same everywhere. Nope. Not even close. Angel Fire is a whole different beast—and that’s a good thing.

Angel Fire Bike Park Stats

Miles of Trails: 60+ miles
Number of Trails: 32
Vertical Relief: 2,000 feet
Trailforks Bike Park Map

Why Angel Fire Belongs on Every Mountain Biker’s List

• 60+ miles of true downhill with over 2,000 feet of vertical every trail is built for descending, no filler mileage.
• Private-land freedom enables team to build, maintain, and evolve trails with fewer restrictions and more creativity.
• Tacky clay dirt and regular summer thunderstorms help keep trails riding prime instead of turning into “moon dust.”
• Terrain for everyone, from race-level tech and rock gardens to smooth, family-friendly flow trails.

Tucked up in the southern Rockies, Angel Fire hits the jackpot when it comes to natural terrain and weather. But what really sets it apart? It’s not on U.S. Forest Service land. That’s huge. Most bike parks have to jump through endless hoops to build or maintain trails. Angel Fire? Being on private land means they can go full throttle on trail building, dialing in features and flow you just won’t find at most spots.

When Angel Fire says 60+ miles of legit downhill and 2,000 feet of vertical, they’re not messing around. This isn’t one of those mountains that throws out big mileage stats, only to deliver a few real descents and a bunch of filler. At Angel Fire, every mile is the real deal—fast, raw, chunky tech that’s built to shred. It’s not just the top bike park in the Southwest—or even the U.S. Some would argue it’s one of the best in all of North America.

The Dirt

For starters, while other parts of the state feature sandy, rocky, or loose gravel, Angel Fire is home to clay, making for tacky goodness. Alongside this clay, it’s still sprinkled with enough rocks, boulders, and steeps to keep even the gnarliest rider happy.

The Weather

As the days of summer get longer, most of the western United States’ singletrack is getting baked. What many call this type of condition is “moon dust.” Dusty doesn’t even begin to describe a lot of trails. But not at Angel Fire. Yet again, this place is gifted with occasional afternoon thunderstorms to keep the soil moist throughout the season.

Something For Everyone

The secret is out. Angel Fire’s bike park is home to technical terrain to tackle. It’s been the host of many pro races including a World Cup showcase. What many don’t realize is that it offers something for everyone. This isn’t Downieville or Whistler where you keep the kiddos at home and charge it full bore. It’s designed to bring and entertain the ENTIRE family. Of course, it still has scare your pants off goodness but it also has a host of smooth-as-a-baby’s-bottom flowy descents that you’ll get your kids hooked on riding.

South Boundary: New Mexico’s Signature Shuttle Adventure

South Boundary Trail Stats

Difficulty: Intermediate (3 miles of technical segments that can be walked around ) / Advanced
Distance: 20 miles
Climbing: 1,147 Feet
Descent: 4,511 Feet 
Map & info about South Boundary on Trailforks

Why South Boundary is a Must Hit

• New Mexico’s Signature Ride – A 20-mile point-to-point adventure with 4,500+ feet of descent through some of the best singletrack in the Southwest.
• A Little Bit of Everything – Flow through aspens and evergreens, tackle a few punchy climbs, and soak in big views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
• “Heaven on Earth” Meets “Hold On Tight” – Starts with smooth, flowing bliss before finishing with El Nogal’s rock gardens, stair steps, and technical descents.
• Best Done as a Shuttle – Start near Angel Fire Resort to maximize the downhill and keep the climbing manageable for strong intermediates and advanced riders.

This is THE Taos MTB singletrack that everyone must ride. Located within the Carson National Forest, most people start near Angel Fire Resort. The 20+ mile point-to-point ride is like a close up tour of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It literally has a bit of everything. A sweeping flowy section through evergreens and aspen groves nicknamed “Heaven on Earth.” A few climbs such as the 1.5-mile 350 ft ascent to Garcia Peak. And to finish it off properly, the most technical sections are within the last three miles. Known as El Nogal, expect some fast sections. Some stair-steppy segments. Some fun parts… and even a few terrifying ones.

Things To Know

Most do this ride as a shuttle starting near Angel Fire. This provides smoother ascents and more downhill segments. An intermediate can tackle most of the trail as long as you’re ok with walking a few of the tricky obstacles at the end. It’s a great add-on to the lift-accessed goodness at Angel Fire Bike Park. Shuttle Taos is the go-to professional MTB shuttle service for South Boundary. They’ll get you to the prime drop zone so you can focus on shredding the best descent in New Mexico with just enough climbing to keep things interesting.

Taos Ski Valley: Lift-Served Flow With a Side of Green Chile

Taos Ski Valley Bike Park Stats

Miles of Trails: 11 miles
Number of Trails: 12
Vertical Relief: 1,900+ feet
Trailforks

What to Expect at Taos Ski Valley

• Big Mountain Riding, Taos Vibes – Over 1,900 feet of vertical and 11 miles of trails set beneath the dramatic peaks and legendary chutes of Taos Ski Valley.
• Flow Trails With a New Mexico Twist – Green Chile and Blue Hondo serve up berms, jumps, bridges, and smooth descents inspired by the state’s iconic cuisine.
• Built for the Whole Family – The Green Chile Flow Trail delivers four miles of approachable downhill fun, making Taos one of the best places for beginners to experience lift-served mountain biking.
• More Than Just Biking – Cap off your ride with a cold drink at The Bavarian or tackle the resort’s Via Ferrata for even more summer adventure.

As you ascend from the town of Taos, for some reason the peaks look bigger without their snowy blanket. Cliffs suddenly become more pronounced. The legendary chutes of Taos look less like something you’d ski and more something you’d rappel. So, what is there to do in TSV during the summer? As part of their multi-million-dollar investment, since summer 2021, the Taos MTB scene has become a reality.

Green Chile

Cuisine in New Mexico is its own thing. And one of the key ingredients for almost all New Mexican dishes is green or red chiles. As such, it makes sense that the first lift-accessed trail to be introduced in the Taos Bike Park was named just that. Not tongue burning like a ghost pepper, but spicy enough to awaken your senses. To keep with the local food theme, they also opened up an intermediate trail called Blue Corn Route which is a combination of trails that wind their way down to the bottom. This one starts with some nice tight berms and features a long curved bridge finishing off with some bumps and tables.

Fun For The Whole Family

While Taos might be known for its blood-pumping steeps, the goal of the Green Chile Flow Trail is to create something so everyone can get a taste of the Taos MTB scene. The four-mile downhill trail features perfectly contoured banked turns. Fantastic scenery abounds, and of course once you’re done, you can enjoy a cold one at the Bavarian. Now that’s how you do summer! Not enough? They also installed a Via Ferrata course!

Northside: The Other Side of Taos Ski Valley

Northside Trail Network Stats

Miles of Trails: 18 miles
Vertical Relief: 2,800+ feet – Trailforks
Note: The trail system is usually closed for the first part of the summer season due to snowmelt and ongoing forestry thinning work.
Check Status here: Ride Northside at Taos

What to Expect at Northside Trails:

• Taos’ High-Altitude Trail Network – Backcountry system starting at 10,000 feet with up to 2,800 feet of climbing through some of the most spectacular terrain in northern New Mexico.
• Big Views, Bigger Adventures – Ride through wildflower-filled meadows, sub-alpine forests, and alpine landscapes with sweeping overlooks around every corner.
• Earn Your Turns – Less bike park and more mountain adventure, featuring classic singletrack and doubletrack routes with descents that make every climb worthwhile.
• Bring Your Camera – From the summit of Frazer Mountain to the surrounding Sangre de Cristo peaks, Northside serves up some of the most photogenic riding in the state.

Just across the street from Taos Ski Valley resort is the Northside. Not just one trail, but an entire Taos MTB network to explore. Starting at 10,000 feet, get ready for a lung burner. Within the 1,200 acres, you’ll find both single and double track routes. Spectacular overlooks. Wildflowers. Sub-alpine and alpine environments and up to 2,800 vertical feet of climbing including to the top of Frazer Mountain. Think less purpose-built and more classic tours with downhills worth the climb.

Things To Know

Free access to Northside at Taos Ski Valley is available either online by signing a liability waiver at the Ride Northside website or available at the Bull of The Woods entrance kiosk at Northside. DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!!!! Be aware that parts of the national forest in this area may be closed to all visitors due to fire mitigation work. As fire season rolls around every year, there’s always serious work to do to keep it safe for all of us. For the latest alerts, be sure to visit the US Forest Service Homepage.

Lost Lake Loop: Taos’s True Alpine Tour

Lost Lake Loop Stats

Difficulty: Advanced
Distance: 13.3 miles
Climbing: 2,279 Feet
Descent: 2,268 Feet 
Map & info about Lost Lake Loop on Trailforks

What to expect on the Lost Lake Loop

• Ride Above Treeline – One of the few true alpine mountain bike trails in New Mexico, offering nearly 14 miles of high-elevation riding above the forests.
• Big Exposure, Bigger Rewards – Navigate rocky ridgelines, talus slopes, and cliff-lined sections while soaking in jaw-dropping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
• Part of the Enchanted Circle – Located near Red River along the scenic Enchanted Circle Highway, making it the perfect addition to a Taos-area mountain biking road trip.
• Epic Descents Worth the Effort – The challenging climb and technical terrain are rewarded with fast, unforgettable downhill sections through some of the state’s most dramatic landscapes.

As part of your Taos MTB tour, you’ll want to set aside a day to check out the Enchanted Circle Highway. The 84-mile scenic byway circles the tallest peak in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains – Wheeler Peak and dives into the towns that surround it including the unique town of Red River. From there, you can access the Lost Lake Loop. The nearly 14-mile loop is one of the only above alpine trails in the state. Not for the faint of heart, the higher sections of this trail have exposure, rocks and cliffs, and talus slopes to navigate. What you do get as a reward are ripping descents and epic views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and valleys around Red River.

Things To Know

As we stated above, this trail is in the high alpine meaning a few things. On average the trail is covered in snow from October through mid-June or later in heavy snow years. Check the forecast ahead of time since the open rock fields can attract lightning. And if visiting later in the season, there are sections that go through steep avalanche terrain you may need to be concerned about if there is snow above.

Taos Valley Overlook: Quick Ride; Million Dollar Views

Taos Valley Overlook Stats

Miles of Trails: 16 miles
Number of Trails: 11
Vertical Relief: 975+ feet
Taos Valley Overlook trails on Trailforks

What to expect on the Taos Valley Overlook Trail

• Perfect for a Quick Ride – Just 15 minutes from Taos, this network offers fun XC-style singletrack with mellow climbs, flowing sections, and twisty turns.
• Views That Steal the Show – The standout Rift Valley Trail serves up incredible panoramas of the Rio Grande Gorge and the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
• Big Scenery, Small Effort – One of the best ways to experience Taos’ stunning landscapes without committing to an all-day alpine adventure.