The best MTB trails around White Rock

The Knife Edge Trail is a unique rocky trail just outside of Bandelier National Monument, near Los Alamos, New Mexico that gets harder and harder as you ride. The trail takes you out on a skinny mesa (hence the name) to a stunning viewpoint with panoramic views over the desert and canyons. There is no shade on this trail so start early or wait until cooler weather!

The White Rock Canyon Rim Trail is a stunning trail that traverses the rim of White Rock Canyon, As you ride, you get amazing, panoramic views down the steep mesa to the Rio Grande River and over the open desert. This is a great trail for riders of all ability levels; it's generally flat with great views and a few rocky basalt steps to keep things interesting.

The Ruin Mesa Trail is a great trail along the top of the mesa that offers great views over the canyon rim to the surrounding area. The trail starts off headed east gradually, but then gets fairly steep as you get toward the end of the mesa - if descending this trail, most dismount for at least some of it until they get to the junction of the Lower Water Canyon Trail.

The Powerline Point Trail is an easy, relatively flat doubletrack trail on the open mesa out to Powerline Point, an overlook where you get great views out over the Rio Grande River and surrounding area from the canyon rim. As you ride, be on the look out for evidence of the unique geologic history of the area; there are many rocks with hunks of pumice embedded in them from the Valles Event, 1.25 million years ago. Although this trail is flat and wide (it is on an old service road), there is no shade on it, so wear sun protection, drink plenty of water, and consider getting an early start or waiting for cooler temperatures.

This trail is a nice, quick out-and-back that you can combine with the left and right forks if you're looking for some extra mileage out in the desert. This is a great trail for beginner riders with a few basalt outcrops that add some technical challenges.

The Knife Edge Trail is a unique rocky trail just outside of Bandelier National Monument, near Los Alamos, New Mexico that gets harder and harder as you ride. The trail takes you out on a skinny mesa (hence the name) to a stunning viewpoint with panoramic views over the desert and canyons. There is no shade on this trail to start early or wait until cooler weather!

From this spot at the end of the Estante Rim Trail you get amazing panoramic views over the open desert and surrounding area. This is a great spot to snap a few photos before turning around and headed back to the main trail system.

The Powerline Point Trail is an easy, relatively flat trail on the open mesa out to Powerline Point, an overlook where you get great views out over the Rio Grande River and surrounding area. As you hike, be on the look out for evidence of the unique geologic history of the area; there are many rocks with hunks of pumice embedded in them from the Valles Event, 1.25 million years ago. Although this trail is flat and wide (it is on an old service road), there is no shade on it, so wear sun protection, drink plenty of water, and consider getting an early start or waiting for cooler temperatures.