High Road to Taos
Adobe churches, weaving villages and Taos Pueblo on the back road from Santa Fe.
- Distance
- 134 km (83 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 29 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 5
- States
- NM
- Updated
- August 13, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 134 km (83 mi) with 5 stops, from Santa Fe to Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. About 1 h 29 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Mexico
Route description
From Santa Fe, head north toward Española and turn east into the hills on NM-503 to Chimayó, known for its old adobe church and its weaving tradition. The village is a good place to see weavers at work.
NM-76 climbs through Truchas and Las Trampas, small villages with adobe churches and views of the mountains, before joining NM-518 and dropping down into Taos. The High Road is narrow and winding with few shoulders, so allow plenty of time.
At Taos Pueblo, multistory adobe homes have been lived in for about a thousand years; respect the photography rules, and check ahead, as the pueblo closes for ceremonies. West of town, US-64 crosses the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a steel bridge 650 feet above the river in a canyon cut into the flat sagebrush plain. Return to Santa Fe via the Low Road (NM-68) along the Rio Grande.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Santa Fe
NM - 241 km
Chimayó
NM - 367 km
Taos
NM - 45 km
Taos Pueblo
HistoryTaos, NMMulti-storey adobe homes lived in for about a thousand years. Respect the photography rules and closures.
- 521 km
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
ViewsTaos, NMA steel bridge 650 feet above the river, crossing a canyon cut into the flat sagebrush plain.
FAQs
How long is High Road to Taos?
2-day road trip of about 134 km (83 mi) with 5 stops, from Santa Fe to Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. About 1 h 29 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for High Road to Taos?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 29 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does High Road to Taos start and end?
It starts in Santa Fe and ends in Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
Which states does High Road to Taos pass through?
New Mexico.
