Santa Fe Rail Trail, Rail trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Santa Fe Rail Trail is a pathway that stretches from the Railyard district to the edges of town, alternating between paved and unpaved sections. It passes through varied terrain, moving from developed neighborhoods into more open landscape with hills.
The pathway follows a former railroad route that became the main transportation artery for goods and people through the region in the early 1900s. Rail service was central to Santa Fe's growth as a trading center.
The trail links neighborhoods to the Railyard arts district, where visitors find galleries and local markets showcasing contemporary creative work. The route demonstrates how the city has transformed a transportation corridor into a cultural gathering place.
Multiple entry points with parking areas make it easy to start from different locations along the trail. The paved sections are easier to walk than the natural surface areas, which can be rougher during wet weather.
Walking the trail reveals red rock formations and desert plants like yucca and juniper thriving at elevation. The landscape tells the story of the region's geology and adapted wildlife.
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