The Land of Enchantment Awaits:
Top Motorcycle Rides in New Mexico
Let me tell you about a place where the sky seems endless and the roads call out to your soul. New Mexico isn't just the Land of Enchantment – it's a motorcyclist's paradise waiting to be discovered. From roads that climb through pine-scented mountains to highways that stretch across painted deserts, every ride here tells a story. Let me share with you some of my favorite routes that capture the magic of this incredible corner of the Southwest.
Taos – Questa – Red River – Eagle Nest – Angel Fire – Taos (~83 miles)
If there's one ride that captures the essence of northern New Mexico, it's the Enchanted Circle. Picture yourself leaning into curves as you climb through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the air getting cooler and crisper with each mile. This loop is pure joy for riders, especially in fall when the aspen trees paint the mountainsides in sheets of gold.
Start your day in historic Taos, then wind your way through Questa before reaching Red River – a charming mountain town where the coffee is hot and the locals always have a story to share. As you continue through Eagle Nest and Angel Fire, you'll find yourself stopping again and again for photos, each vista more breathtaking than the last. My advice? Take your time with this one – some views deserve more than just a passing glance.
Tijeras – Madrid – Cerrillos – Santa Fe (~50 miles)
Sometimes the shortest rides leave the longest impressions. The Turquoise Trail is like that – a perfect slice of New Mexico that connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe through some of the quirkiest and most charming towns you'll ever visit.
Pull into Madrid (that's MAD-rid, not ma-DRID), and you'll feel like you've ridden straight into an artist's dream. This former ghost town turned creative haven is worth parking the bike for a while. Grab a burger at the Mine Shaft Tavern, where the walls could tell a thousand tales of the old mining days. The gentle curves and open stretches make this ride perfect for riders of all levels, but the stories you'll collect along the way? Those are priceless.
Santa Fe – Chimayó – Truchas – Peñasco – Taos (~70 miles)
Want to ride through living history? The High Road to Taos weaves together centuries of stories, art, and culture. Starting from Santa Fe, you'll climb through high desert landscapes into the embrace of mountain forests. Stop in Chimayó to visit the famous Santuario – even if you're not religious, there's something powerful about this place that speaks to the soul.
The road to Truchas will test your riding skills with tight curves and elevation changes, but the reward is worth it. This tiny artist community sits perched on the edge of the world, with views of the Truchas Peaks that'll make your heart skip a beat. Keep your camera handy – every turn reveals another postcard-perfect scene.
Ruidoso – Lincoln – Hondo – Capitan – Ruidoso (~84 miles)
Ever wanted to ride through a Western movie? This loop takes you through some of the most legendary territory in the Old West. Lincoln looks almost exactly as it did when Billy the Kid made his famous escape from its courthouse jail. The roads here tell stories of outlaws and lawmen, of wild pursuits and wilder legends.
Starting from the cool pine forests of Ruidoso, you'll descend into the high desert, where the road unfolds before you like pages from a history book. Take time to stop in Lincoln – walking these streets, you can almost hear the echoes of boot steps on wooden sidewalks and the jingle of spurs.
Chama – Tierra Amarilla – Tres Piedras – Taos (~115 miles)
If you're looking for a ride that showcases the raw beauty of northern New Mexico, this is it. Starting in Chama, where the narrow-gauge railroad still puffs through the mountains, you'll wind through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the state. The Brazos Cliffs near Tierra Amarilla rise like ancient guardians, and the sweeping curves through Carson National Forest are pure motorcycling bliss.
This is the kind of ride where you want to start early, when the morning light paints the mountains in gold and the air is crisp and clean. Pack a thermos of coffee – you'll want to take your time at the viewpoints along the way.
Silver City – Gila National Forest – Gila Cliff Dwellings – Silver City (~90 miles round trip)
Some rides take you through history; this one takes you back in time. The twisting road into the Gila National Forest is a motorcyclist's dream, with curves that seem designed for two wheels. As you climb into the mountains, the desert gives way to pine forests and hidden valleys.
The ancient cliff dwellings at the end of the road are more than just a destination – they're a window into a world that existed here over 700 years ago. Park your bike and take the short hike to explore these remarkable caves. There's something humbling about standing where the Mogollon people once lived, looking out over the same valleys they called home.
Glenrio – Tucumcari – Santa Rosa – Albuquerque – Gallup (~380 miles)
Some roads are famous; Route 66 is legendary. Riding the Mother Road through New Mexico is like traveling through a living museum of American road culture. From the neon glow of Tucumcari's vintage motels to the Native American trading posts of Gallup, every mile has a story to tell.
Take your time with this one – maybe make it a multi-day adventure. Stop for green chile cheeseburgers at historic diners, explore Albuquerque's Old Town, and watch the sunset paint the desert sky in colors you didn't know existed. The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is a must-see, especially at night when its neon signs light up the desert darkness.
Alamogordo – Cloudcroft – Mayhill – Artesia (~110 miles)
Want to experience four seasons in one ride? This route climbs from the white sands of the Tularosa Basin up into the cool pine forests of Cloudcroft, before descending back into the desert. The elevation changes are dramatic – you'll start in desert heat and might need a jacket by the time you reach Cloudcroft.
The switchbacks up the Sacramento Mountains will keep you focused, but the views are worth every careful turn. Stop in Cloudcroft for lunch – this mountain oasis is a perfect place to cool off and swap stories with other riders you'll inevitably meet there.
There's something special about riding through New Mexico that's hard to put into words. Maybe it's the quality of the light, the way it paints the landscapes in colors that seem too vivid to be real. Perhaps it's the sense of history that surrounds you, or the way the desert air carries the scent of sage and piñon.
Whatever draws you to these roads, know that New Mexico welcomes riders with open arms and endless horizons. The routes I've shared aren't just lines on a map – they're gateways to experiences that will stay with you long after the kickstand goes down.
Bring your sense of adventure, your camera, and your appetite for both green chile and new experiences. Take time to chat with locals, explore the small towns, and let the rhythm of the road guide you. In New Mexico, the journey truly is the destination.
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