Hike Routes and Descriptions
Spontaneous
Valle Grande Hike - Free
Coyote Call Hike - Free
La Jara Hike
*NEW* South Mountain Hike
Reservation Required
Cerros del Abrigo Hike
Cerro Seco Hike
La Garita Hike
Valle Grande Hike
-
This hike begins off State Highway 4 near mile marker 43. The trailhead is opposite the parking area. Please use caution crossing the road. This trail winds through the forest and opens onto the southeast corner of the Valle Grande. Approach the Valle Grande quietly and you may see an elk herd up close. The trail offers a unique opportunity to hike into the quiet end of the Valle.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Approximately 450 ft.
Distance: Approximately 2 miles
Cost: No charge
Dates and Times: Daylight hours year round except when closed for resource protection
View Map
Back to top
Coyote Call Hike
-
This hike begins off State Highway 4 near mile marker 41. The trailhead is at the parking area. The trail parallels Highway 4 offering spectacular views across the Valle Grande to the north rim of the caldera. A wonderfully scenic hike!
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: Approximately 250 ft.
Distance: Approximately 3.5 mile loop
Cost: No charge
Dates and Times: Daylight hours year round except when closed for resource protection
View Map
Back to top
La Jara Hike
-
This self-interpretive hike begins at the Valle Grande Staging Area. From the staging area, the trail begins near a prairie dog town and traverses through the open grassy meadow of the Valle Grande around the base of La Jara. This is a great short hike that gives you a 360-degree view of the Valle Grande.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Approximately 50 ft.
Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles
Cost: $5/person (no discounts for seniors or youth 6-15 years); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
Available Dates: Available 7-days a week when the Preserve is open. Exception may be during special events. Please check the web calendar for dates.
Back to top
*NEW* South Mountain Hike
-
• This hike begins at the Valle Grande Staging Area. From the staging area, the trail begins along the VC01 and VC02 roads, which travel along the southwestern edge of the Valle Grande. Upon arriving at the trailhead, hikers begin their ascent up South Mountain. Once on South Mountain, hikers have a myriad of trail choices. South Mountain is an “out and back” hike since there are no loop options at this time.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,000 ft.
Distance: Approximately 8 miles
Cost: $5/person (no discounts for seniors or youth 6-15 years); Free for youths 0-5 yrs. Hikers can pay an additional $5/person if they wish to be transported to/from the intersection of VC01 and VC02.
Available Dates: Available 7-days a week when the Preserve is open. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
View Map
Back to top
Cerros del Abrigo Hike
-
This hike begins with a van ride through the central part of the Preserve, passing by historical buildings and History Grove. Cerros del Abrigo is an eruptive dome located in the center of the Preserve. As you circumnavigate the dome, you will discover scenic views of the Valle Grande, Valle Jaramillo, Valle Toledo and the Valle San Antonio. This approximately seven-mile walk along old logging roads. This hike (and the van ride!) is a perfect way to get an overall view of the Preserve.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: Approximately 700 ft.
Distance: Approximately 7 miles
Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over);
$5/ youth (6-15 yrs) ;Free for youths 0-5 yrs
View Map
Available Dates
Back to top
Cerro Seco Hike
-
This hike begins with a van ride along the western boundary of the Preserve through the Sulphur Springs area. The Cerro Seco Trail offers gorgeous views of the Valle San Antonio. You will wander in and out of tall pines and aspens on an old two-track logging road. This trail offers a loop that will circle the Cerro Seco eruptive dome. Enjoy the solitude and the feeling that your are far, far away from civilization.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: Approximately 720 ft.
Distance: Approximately 7 miles
Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over);
$5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
View Map
Available Dates
Back to top
La Garita Hike
-
This hike begins with a van ride through the central part of the Preserve and passes by historical buildings and History Grove to the Valle San Antonio. The steep trail takes you along an old logging road to the north boundary of the Preserve at the rim of the caldera. The views from the top of this trail make the climb well worth the effort. Enjoy the feeling that you are at the top of the world.
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,400 ft.
Distance: Approximately 6 miles
Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over);
$5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
View Map
Available Dates
Back to top