Hiking Ancient Ancestral Pueblo Trails: Tsankawi Ruins and Pecos National Historical Park
Summer offers an ideal opportunity to hike the historic trails of Bandelier National Monument's Tsankawi ruins and Pecos National Historical Park. Follow paths once trodden by Ancestral Puebloan people and uncover the rich history of New Mexico's Pecos Valley at what was once the Southwest's largest pueblo.
In the 1400s, these groups formed Pecos Pueblo, a major regional power. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
Tsankawi, home to Ancestral Puebloans in the 1400s, derives its Tewa name meaning “village between two canyons at the clump of sharp, round cacti.” Residents built mesa-top settlements and cliff-base dwellings, carving caves into soft tuff stone. Centuries-old paths, deeply worn into rock, connected the mesa to canyons and neighboring villages.
Tread ancient trails carved by Ancestral Puebloans. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
This 1.5-mile loop trail immerses you in their world with stunning views, ladder climbs, unexcavated ruins, cave dwellings, and abundant petroglyphs.
From Santa Fe, head north on Highway 84 to State Highway 502, then State Highway 4. Turn left after a quarter mile into the gravel parking area. Grab a trail guide at the entrance for in-depth site details.
Discover hand-carved petroglyphs along the trail. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
At Pecos National Historical Park, explore remnants of a 1,000-year-old Ancestral Pueblo—one of the region's largest. Adjacent adobe ruins mark an 18th-century Spanish mission church that dominated for centuries. A 1.25-mile trail from the Visitor Center guides you through Pecos Pueblo and the mission.
Pecos also features the 2.35-mile Glorieta Battlefield trail. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
The park includes the 2.35-mile Glorieta Battlefield trail, site of the 1862 “Gettysburg of the West”—a pivotal Civil War clash that kept New Mexico in Union hands. Visit the Visitor Center for maps and battle insights.
Located 25 miles southeast of Santa Fe: Take I-25 north to exit 299, then NM State Road 50 for six miles to Pecos Village. Turn right on State Road 63 south for two miles to the entrance.
Deepen your experience with Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe's guided tours, like the Ancient to Present Tour exploring Ancestral Pueblo culture. Other options include hiking and biking adventures showcasing northern New Mexico's trails and history.
These sites blend breathtaking scenery with profound history. Plan your Santa Fe trip with the [blog_link url=" https://santafe.org/Visitors_Guide/index.html" text="Santa Fe Travel Guide" date="2017-11-21"]. Check [blog_link url=" https://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Specials/" text="deals and specials" date="2017-11-21"] for savings.
This article was produced in partnership with [blog_link url=" https://santafe.org/" text="TOURISM Santa Fe" date="2017-11-21"] and [blog_link url="https://santafenmtrue.com/" text="Santa Fe County" date="2017-11-21"].
