Trip Report: Sandia Mountains

Standing at over 4,201 feet above the town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Sandia Mountains stand out prominently in the central part of the state.

They are also quite the accessible mountains that anyone can climb. Sure, you can hike up to the summit of the mountain at 10,678 feet, but you can also drive up to the top or, better yet, take the Sandia Tramway to the top.

That’s what we did in the summer of 2022. Conquering a fear of heights and suspended cable cars, we went up the mountain and enjoyed a couple of hours exploring the top of the mountain. And somehow we still didn’t see it all.

It’s definitely one of the best things you can do if you’re visiting the Albuquerque area.

So here’s how our trip went that summer.

Taking the Tramway Up the Sandia Mountains

We decided to take the tramway up the mountain since it provided the best scenic view, plus none of us were up for that kind of hike nor did we want to put extra stress on the car to get it to the top.

But there was also the whole thing about there only being two towers plus the two stations supporting the whole thing. In my head, everything looked fine but I couldn’t completely ignore the feeling that this was a bit scarier than I thought.

The good news is that the staff are excellent on the tramway. Our car attendant gave everyone a spiel that would rival that of the Jungle Cruise at Disney World, pointing out landmarks and making terrible (read good) puns that put even the most nervous passengers at ease.

And it was a pretty cool ride. It’s definitely a great way to get to the top of the mountain, and the views are simply spectacular.

It’s definitely the best way to get up the mountain.

Walking Around the Summit

The view from the summit was simply amazing. Beneath you is the city of Albuquerque. Beyond is the valley in central New Mexico. And across the way are the Santa Rosa Mountains, over 65 miles to our west.

On the east side were the ski slopes, although on this summer day the slopes doubled as a great trail to hike down and up. We also got a great view of the eastern side of the state.

And around us was a wonderful forest and great hiking trails. We walked a little ways down one trail that would have led us to the Kiwanis Cabin right on the western edge of the mountain, though we turned back a quarter of the way there.

We spent a ton of time walking around and photographing nearly every inch of the darn place.

The weather was also fantastic, as the air was nice and cool compared to the summer temperatures back down at the base.

We got one final surprise when a hang glider showed up. We watched him put all of this equipment together and then run off the mountain and start to fly. It was fun watching him navigate the different winds at the summit to go up and down and all around while a crowd of us watched below.

Definitely worth the trip up to the summit.

Heading Back Down the Mountain

Finally, it was just about time to head back down the mountain. We had to get to Santa Fe, so our time at the top was a bit shorter than I would have liked.

The ride down the tramway was just as great as the ride up. You get an amazing view of Albuquerque as you descend the mountain, and it’s a little bit easier since you know how it feels from the ride up.

Our ride down had the added bonus of picking up a couple of passengers at one of the towers. These were maintenance workers that had completed their work and needed to get down to the bottom. We stopped right at the tower and they hopped on to the top of the car and rode it all the way down with us. It must have been an interesting sight from the outside.

Before long we were back at the base of the mountain and on our way north to Santa Fe for the rest of our day.

Tips for Visiting the Sandia Mountains

Here are some tips for if you take the trek up the Sandia Mountains for photography (or just for pleasure).

Take the Tramway

While you could hike up to the top or take a drive up the eastern side of the mountains, the absolute best way to get to the top is via the tramway.

Built in 1966, the tramway takes passengers 3,819 feet up to the top of the Sandia Mountains and includes a 7,720 foot span between the second tower and the top of the mountain, the third-longest span in the world. In total, it’s the second longest tramway in the world.

At its highest point the tramway is over 1,000 feet above the ground below.

Yes, it can be a challenge for those who might be scared of heights. But take it from someone who was a bit apprehensive about riding it: it’s more than worth it.

The views you get from the ride are something you don’t get anywhere else. Plus, the car attendants riding with you will sometimes give you a Disney World Jungle Cruise-esque spiel filled with puns on the ride up to help alleviate any nerves you might have.

You definitely won’t regret going up the tramway.

Take Your Time to Explore the Summit

There is quite a lot to see at the top of the mountain.

Right out of the gate, you can look down at Albuquerque below and the central New Mexico valley below. You can also peer out at the Santa Rosa Mountains in the western side of the state over XX miles away.

On the eastern slope are ski slopes. Even if you’re there in the summer, the slopes can be great trails to hike down and up and see the various wildlife that call the mountains home.

There’s also a trail that takes you from where the tramway drops you off to the Kiwanis Cabin right on the edge of the western slope. Along the way, you get to walk through the forest and stumble across different plants and animals. Plus, if you get lucky, you might see a hang glider launch from the summit and fly around the mountain.

And if you’re more of a food and drink person, the 10-3 restaurant at the top offers incredible dining with a great view.

There is a lot to explore up on the mountain, so make sure you budget a lot of time to explore the Sandra Mountains.

Check Out the Sandia Mountains at Sunset

If you want to see the best colors and want to take the best photos, make sure you stick around to sunset.

From this perch over 10,000 feet in the air, you’re going to have a spectacular view of the sunsetting behind the Santa Rosa Mountains and seeing the golden light flood the valley below and bathe the western slope.

That’s something I wish we could have done when we visited, but that’s just another reason to go back another time.

Don’t Forget to Take It Slow

While the mountains are far from the highest mountains you can get to the top easily, you’re still above 10,000 feet. And if you’re a flatlander that lives near sea level, it’s easy to overexert yourself walking around the top of the mountain.

So just make sure that you take it easy and slow when walking around the mountain. There’s no rush to be anywhere quickly. Again, you can take any tram down the mountain at any time.

Just be careful with yourself, and if you need a second to catch your breath, just sit down and enjoy the cool mountain air.

It’s a great mountain just waiting for you to explore it.