Las Cruces is a city in New Mexico, located 45 miles north of El Paso and on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert. There’s a good opportunity for some longer off-road running on three interconnected multi-use trails. The La Llorona Trail is the most scenic. Also, see this post for fantastic trail running opportunities.
La Llorona Trail. This is the most scenic of the three main trails in Las Cruces. This paved path runs along the Rio Grande River for 4.7 miles from just north of La Llorona park south to Mesilla. There are good views of the Rio Grande — which has water in spring and summer and more of a sandy river bed other times of the year — and surrounding mountains. For a longer run, you can continue for many miles north or south on River Levee Rd. At the north end, connect to the Outfall Channel Trail.
Outfall Channel Trail. This paved trail runs east from the Rio Grande River for 4.3 miles to I-25. Catch it near the north trailhead of the La Llorona Trail off Run Along Rd.(!) and head east, following the Alameda Arroyo Channel. At the east end, you can catch the Triviz Trail.
Triviz Trail & New Mexico State University. This trail is the least scenic of the three main trails in Las Cruces. The paved multi-use path runs for 4.5 miles from the I-25/Hwy 70 intersection (where it intersects with the Outfall Channel Trail) south to E University Ave. The path runs mainly alongside I-25/N Telshor Blvd., so it isn’t exactly bucolic. At the south end, there’s some nice running on pedestrian paths on the campus of New Mexico State University, where there’s also a running track at the intramural fields.
Las Cruces is a city in New Mexico, located 45 miles north of El Paso and on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert. There’s a good opportunity for some longer off-road running on three interconnected multi-use trails. The La Llorona Trail is the most scenic. Also, see this post for fantastic trail running opportunities.
La Llorona Trail. This is the most scenic of the three main trails in Las Cruces. This paved path runs along the Rio Grande River for 4.7 miles from just north of La Llorona park south to Mesilla. There are good views of the Rio Grande — which has water in spring and summer and more of a sandy river bed other times of the year — and surrounding mountains. For a longer run, you can continue for many miles north or south on River Levee Rd. At the north end, connect to the Outfall Channel Trail.
Outfall Channel Trail. This paved trail runs east from the Rio Grande River for 4.3 miles to I-25. Catch it near the north trailhead of the La Llorona Trail off Run Along Rd.(!) and head east, following the Alameda Arroyo Channel. At the east end, you can catch the Triviz Trail.
Triviz Trail & New Mexico State University. This trail is the least scenic of the three main trails in Las Cruces. The paved multi-use path runs for 4.5 miles from the I-25/Hwy 70 intersection (where it intersects with the Outfall Channel Trail) south to E University Ave. The path runs mainly alongside I-25/N Telshor Blvd., so it isn’t exactly bucolic. At the south end, there’s some nice running on pedestrian paths on the campus of New Mexico State University, where there’s also a running track at the intramural fields.
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