Winding through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, The High Road to Taos is a 52-mile journey through centuries of history, culture, and breathtaking high-desert scenery. This state scenic byway connects Santa Fe to Taos along a route that trades the speed of the lowland highway for something far more rewarding.

The drive climbs through rolling piñon-juniper hills into alpine forests, passing through a string of centuries-old Spanish colonial villages that feel untouched by time. Stop in Chimayó to visit the legendary Santuario de Chimayó, a pilgrimage church known for its healing earth. Continue through Truchas, where a dramatic ridgeline offers sweeping views of the Rio Grande Valley and 13,000-foot Truchas Peak. Farther along, Peñasco and the tiny community of Las Trampas reveal beautifully preserved adobe churches dating to the 1700s.

Along the way, roadside galleries showcase traditional wood carving, weaving, and folk art that have defined these mountain communities for generations.

Allow two to four hours for the drive, more if you plan to explore the villages. Late September and early October bring spectacular fall color against adobe walls and wide blue skies — the quintessential New Mexico experience.

Explore Nearby

• Villanueva State Park — State Park in New Mexico
• Ute Lake State Park — State Park in New Mexico
• Santa Fe National Forest — National Forest in New Mexico
• Lincoln National Forest — National Forest in New Mexico
• The Organ Mountains Wilderness Area — Public Land in New Mexico