The best running trails around White Rock

A paved pathway leads to a viewing platform at the northern tip, providing stunning vistas of the Rio Grande River and the picturesque White Rock Canyon. The river gracefully winds its way through the canyon, creating a stunning contrast against the rugged terrain.

After the long (probably hot!) descent down the mesa, you are treated to up close views of the Rio Grande River. This is a great spot to cool off by the water and admire the views of this majestic, famous river.

Right off the road is the trailhead for the Potrillo Canyon Loop Trail, a smooth and easy-going path that takes you to the rim of White Rock Canyon. As you explore, you'll find different trail options – some well-marked with signs, while others invite you to follow their natural course.

The trail passes by large panels of petroglyphs (carved pictures), that are thought to be hundreds of years old. Although their exact meaning is unknown, they are most likely not a type of written language, but rather held deep spiritual and artistic significance to ancient (and modern) indigenous people. There are many petroglyphs in this area, so be sure to take your time to try to find all of them - many of them blend in with their surroundings! Like in most archeological sites, please do not touch these ancient carvings.

The cavetes are located just below the ancient central village plaza in the cliff bands that make up the mesa. These cavates (human excavated cavities) were places where people could take shelter from the elements; the thick stone walls provided insulation from both the cold of winter and heat of summer. Talus pueblos were also most-likely constructed in front of the entrance to the cavates to further protect people from wind, rain, snow, and perhaps most importantly in the desert, heat. Please only enter cavetes that are immediately adjacent to the trail - the other cavets are dangerous to access.

Located 12 miles from the main section of Bandelier National Monument on State Highway 4, the Tsankawi section offers a 1.5-mile walk along a mesa, showcasing cavates, petroglyphs, and an Ancestral Pueblo village. The trail is sometimes narrow in places, requires some scrambling in addition to climbing several ~12 foot ladders, and is quite exposed to the elements so it should be avoided during thunderstorms and inclement weather. In winter, the path may be slippery and icy. Tsankawi also can be a little challenging to locate, in large part because it signs on Highway 4. From Santa Fe, turn from State Highway 502 to 4, finding Tsankawi less than 1/4 mile on the left. Coming from Bandelier, it's easier to locate, with the gravel parking lot on the right past the 3rd stoplight. Here is a link to a great virtual tour of the site by the NPS: nps.gov/band/learn/photosmultimedia/tt-vt-intro.htm

The Yapashi Ancestral Pueblo site's ruins are on the Pajarito Plateau in the Bandelier backcountry. Beyond the ancient ruins, runners can enjoy the panoramic views of the volcanic landscape formed by the ancient Valles Caldera eruption. These ruins were made by the Keres people in 1200–1500 CE. Some of the buildings were up to three stories tall and had hundreds of rooms.

This unique site, located just a mile from Yapashi Pueblo ruins, is estimated to be at least a 1,000 years old. It shows the life-size effigies of two crouching mountain lions in a walled enclosure. The shrine is visited by Native Americans as well as hunters praying for a successful hunt.