The Copper Trailhead is a great option if you’d like a technical and hilly trail near the city. Located at the top of Copper Boulevard in the Northeast Heights neighborhood about 8 miles east of downtown, the trail overlooks the whole city. The run starts with a steep incline for a few hundred meters before dipping down to the other side of the Sandia Mountains. The panoramic views, the abundant cacti, and the winding trails all make up a spectacular run. As mentioned earlier, the trails seem endless in the mountains, going for more than 150 miles, so there is certainly opportunity to plot routes of various distances. For runners and hikers, the trails have signs at every crossing, so as to not jump on the wrong path.
Caution: Starts at 6,000 feet and very hilly: 1200 foot elevation gain
The Copper Trailhead is a great option if you’d like a technical and hilly trail near the city. Located at the top of Copper Boulevard in the Northeast Heights neighborhood about 8 miles east of downtown, the trail overlooks the whole city. The run starts with a steep incline for a few hundred meters before dipping down to the other side of the Sandia Mountains. The panoramic views, the abundant cacti, and the winding trails all make up a spectacular run. As mentioned earlier, the trails seem endless in the mountains, going for more than 150 miles, so there is certainly opportunity to plot routes of various distances. For runners and hikers, the trails have signs at every crossing, so as to not jump on the wrong path.
Caution: Starts at 6,000 feet and very hilly: 1200 foot elevation gain
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