The road to Hana. The Pacific coast highway. Sometimes the journey is as important as the destination. Travelling between Santa Fe and Taos, you have two main options—the High Road and the Low Road—both of which deserve just as much exploration as the final destination.
The Low Road
The Low Road is the most direct route between Santa Fe and Taos. This route winds along the Rio Grande and through a narrow canyon, offering some incredible views (especially when travelled north towards Taos). The 70 miles takes approximately an hour and a half to drive without any stops.
Stops Along the Low Road
Wineries: There is a cluster of wineries along the Low Road including the popular Vivac, La Chiripada, and Black Mesa. You can find a map of New Mexico wineries here.
Artist studios in Dixon: Dixon is home to a variety of small artist studios. If you’re visiting in the fall, check and see if your dates match up with the annual Studio Tour.
La Vista Verde Trail in Pilar: This short out and back hike offers incredible desert and river views. It’s also open for mountain biking and (leashed) dogs are welcome.
Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center in Pilar: Learn more about the geology of this beautiful region.
St. Francis de Asis Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos: Immortalized by Georgia O’Keefe, this iconic adobe church is one of the few remaining original buildings in Taos. You can also view their ‘mystery painting,’ which is said to glow in the dark without the use of phosphorescent paint, while you’re there.
The High Road
The High Road is a scenic, winding road through the mountains and small communities between Taos and Santa Fe. Longer and less direct, this 105 mile route will take approximately two and a half hours without any stops.
Stops along the High Road
Artist studios and galleries: Scattered along the High Road you’ll find a wide variety of artist studios and galleries. Check out this handy guide.
Nuestra Senora de San Juan in Talpa: A small, picturesque adobe chapel.
San Jose de Garcia de Las Trampas Mission Church in Las Trampas: This 225 year old church has been fully restored and occupies a prime location on what used to be the town’s main square.
Nuestra Senora de Rosario in Truchas: Another small, picturesque adobe chapel.
Santuario de Chimayo in Chimayo: This church is a popular pilgrimage site and draws visitors from all over thanks to the legend of the healing power of the dirt. The legend claims that, on the night of Good Friday in 1810, a band of men saw a mysterious light in the distance. When they investigated the source, they found a small wooden cross that they took back to their church. By the next morning it was gone…miraculously returned to its spot on the hillside. Eventually a chapel was built over the cross in its original location and the dirt below it is said to contain healing properties.
Which to Choose?
Ideally, don’t! Make it a round trip and explore both routes. With the superior views for northbound travellers on the Low Road, you may want to consider taking the Low Road towards Taos…and the High Road towards Santa Fe if your schedule allows.
