Pecos Wilderness is a protected wilderness area located within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. This high-elevation region features a rugged landscape characterized by deep canyons, expansive mesa tops, and densely forested slopes, with numerous peaks rising above 12,000 feet. The terrain includes the Pecos River, several alpine lakes, and diverse forests, providing a varied environment for outdoor pursuits. Visitors to Pecos Wilderness can engage in several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, jogging, and more.
…63
Routes
4.4
(26)
Average rating
587
People visited

5.0
(6)
68
hikers
5.91km
01:48
190m
240m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
hikers
10.9km
04:29
730m
740m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

19
hikers
9.64km
04:02
730m
720m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

12
hikers
5.29km
02:24
440m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

31
riders
14.4km
02:40
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4
riders
13.7km
01:38
620m
610m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
15.1km
01:45
540m
540m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
2
riders
8.43km
01:43
450m
450m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

15
riders
23.5km
01:18
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

7
riders
39.4km
01:59
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

9
runners
6.57km
00:54
240m
240m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

9
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

7
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

6
riders
51.1km
03:18
640m
640m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Pecos Wilderness is primarily a destination for hiking and jogging, with an extensive network of trails. Activities like fishing and wildlife viewing are also popular. Mechanized transport, including bicycles, is generally prohibited within the designated wilderness boundaries.
Pecos Wilderness offers a range of hiking trails, some of which are suitable for beginners. These trails provide an introduction to the area's diverse landscapes. For more information, explore guides such as Easy hikes in Pecos Wilderness.
Popular hiking trails include the Pecos Falls Loop, Hamilton Mesa Loop, and the Skyline Trail Loop. The 75-mile (120 km) one-way Skyline Trail #251 offers extensive views, while the Winsor Trail is a common route into the wilderness heart. Many routes are available for exploration on komoot.
The terrain in Pecos Wilderness ranges significantly in elevation, from approximately 8,400 feet (2,560 meters) to over 13,000 feet (3,960 meters). South Truchas Peak, at 13,103 feet (3,994 meters), is the state's second-highest point within the wilderness.
No, mountain biking and road cycling are generally not permitted within the designated Pecos Wilderness boundaries. U.S. Wilderness Areas prohibit motorized or mechanized vehicles, which includes bicycles. Surrounding areas outside the wilderness may offer cycling opportunities.
Yes, Pecos Wilderness features natural attractions such as 100-foot-drop waterfalls. These natural features contribute to the area's varied scenery. Information on routes to these features can be found in guides like Waterfall hikes in Pecos Wilderness.
Pecos Wilderness supports diverse wildlife, including elk, deer, bear, turkey, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. It is also home to one of America's healthiest herds of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.
Komoot offers several guides for Pecos Wilderness, including Hiking in Pecos Wilderness, Easy hikes in Pecos Wilderness, and Running Trails in Pecos Wilderness. These guides provide detailed information for various activities.
More than 2,800 komoot users have visited Pecos Wilderness. The routes available on komoot have an average rating of 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on over 140 ratings.
Pecos Wilderness is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, primarily under the Santa Fe National Forest. For information, the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District can be contacted at 505-757-6121. Additional details are available on the Santa Fe National Forest website.
Yes, Pecos Wilderness features at least 15 lakes and over 150 miles (240 km) of streams. The Pecos River, a designated National Wild and Scenic River, flows through the wilderness, offering fishing opportunities for various trout species.

