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Nambe Lake
Trail Running Route
Hard
6.33 mi
1,997 ft
The most popular alpine lake near Santa Fe.
This out-and-back run to Nambe Lake is one of the most popular alpine lake trails in the Santa Fe area. When sitting in downtown Santa Fe, you might have a hard time believing that you could find a trailhead leading to a beautiful alpine lake just a few miles from downtown, but the road to the Nambe Lake trailhead climbs steeply from downtown, quickly leaving the arid desert behind and exchanging it for a lush alpine environment. By the time you reach the trailhead, you'll be surrounded by aspens and towering pine trees, the dry sand exchanged for dark black dirt.
The run to Nambe Lake begins by traversing the flanks of Ski Santa Fe before entering the national forest. Here the route continues to follow the named Windsor Trail before turning off onto the Nambe Lake trail.
After turning right onto the Nambe Lake trail, the route will follow Nambe Creek. "The trail becomes relatively steep at this point and ascends the remaining 1.2 miles to the alpine lake," writes Blaine Hoppenrath on [](
Once at the lake, soak in the incredible scenery of this alpine bowl tucked below Lake Peak. There's an optional loop trail that circumnavigates the lake if you're looking for some bonus miles and a few different perspectives of this idyllic lake.
Once done at the lake, return to your car the same way you came. Written by Greg Heil
This out-and-back run to Nambe Lake is one of the most popular alpine lake trails in the Santa Fe area. When sitting in downtown Santa Fe, you might have a hard time believing that you could find a trailhead leading to a beautiful alpine lake just a few miles from downtown, but the road to the Nambe Lake trailhead climbs steeply from downtown, quickly leaving the arid desert behind and exchanging it for a lush alpine environment. By the time you reach the trailhead, you'll be surrounded by aspens and towering pine trees, the dry sand exchanged for dark black dirt.
The run to Nambe Lake begins by traversing the flanks of Ski Santa Fe before entering the national forest. Here the route continues to follow the named Windsor Trail before turning off onto the Nambe Lake trail.
After turning right onto the Nambe Lake trail, the route will follow Nambe Creek. "The trail becomes relatively steep at this point and ascends the remaining 1.2 miles to the alpine lake," writes Blaine Hoppenrath on [](
Once at the lake, soak in the incredible scenery of this alpine bowl tucked below Lake Peak. There's an optional loop trail that circumnavigates the lake if you're looking for some bonus miles and a few different perspectives of this idyllic lake.
Once done at the lake, return to your car the same way you came. Written by Greg Heil
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Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winsor - Ski Lot up to Wilderness Fence | 0.64 mi | 577 ft | 17.0% |
| Hyde Park Rd Climb | 0.66 mi | 472 ft | 13.4% |
| Down the gauntlet | 1.35 mi | -449 ft | -6.3% |
| Allez Nambe! | 0.93 mi | 971 ft | 19.6% |
| Up the gauntlet | 1.35 mi | 423 ft | 5.9% |
| Hyde Park Rd Climb | 0.62 mi | 177 ft | 5.4% |
| Winsor - Wilderness fence to ski lot | 0.70 mi | -587 ft | -15.8% |