Reviewed by: Will Martin ,  Cross Country Rider , from Santa fe, nm

Summary:
The Dale Ball trails are quick access from Santa Fe and they are ALOT of fun. I have gone atleast 8 times in the past two weeks. Starting at Cerro Gordo or Sierra Del Norte makes for equally good fun either way. I personally like Cerro Gordo more because there is more technical riding with the switchbacks and much rougher terrain in some spots.

The trail is extremely fun especially when you know your way and you don't have to stop too much.

The only problem is there is alot of sharp turns and switchbacks which people lock up thier brakes on. This is slowly beating up the trail system and digging a rut instead of a trail.

Recommended Route:
Any of the trails in the Dale Ball network offer a challenge along with alot of fun either way you go. I've explored most of the trails and all of them are rideable

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Dorothy Stewart, Winsor (going up and down), Santa Fe Railtrail (out to eldorado), Chamisa trail, Borrego trail, Aspen Vista Road, Sandia Mountain, All of them are sweet rides, but winsor and Daleball

Reviewed by: Local Guy , from Santa Fe

Summary:
I ride these trails from 'in town' 3 or 4 times, usually in the early morning, a week. Its about 4 miles to the trailhead as described above. I feel very fortunate to have this gem of a trail system so close to home as it is easily and quickly accessible for moderate rides. Most all of the Central and North trails are 100% rideable with a few technical challenges here and there. The more trafficked North section is showing signs of abuse by bikers that must skid at and around switchbacks. Try to check your speed and NOT skid as it beats the crap out of the trail and shows a lack of skill and respect! But you all knew that anyways, right? If you want to add some challenging miles, go up to St. Johns area and do Dorothy Stewart to where there is a rocky descent off the back side, which dumps you into an arroyo that leads to Upper Canyon Road, go right onto the road and left at Cerro Gordo to get to the trailhead. Dorothy Stewart in itself is a 3 mile fun and more technical loop for any time you need a quick ride. Nice Views at the top as well.

Recommended Route:
Enter at the trailhead just north of Canyon Road, up the first climb, go right and keep taking the longer options for the outer loop, cross Hyde Park Road and enter the North trails from the parking lot, continue outer-most loop crossing Sierra Del Norte, continuing the loop all the way back down to Hyde Park Road, cross arroyo, climb up to saddle and take first right and enjoy the ride back doen to Cerro Gordo!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
They're all great! How about Chamisa to Windsor to the Bear Wallow/Borrego triangle back to Windsor up to Big Tesuque trail to Aspen Vista road to the Top! Or any of those segments. Aspen Vista is a great 6 mile ride up with a gain of about 2100 feet. (from aprx. 10,000 ft. to 12,050 ft.) so if you are from out of town, make sure you have acclimated to the altitude!

Reviewed by: Lars Hansen , from Santa Fe, NM

Summary:
The trails are now open again! Just did the outer perimeter of both central and north sections. The computer read almost exactly 10 miles. It took 1h26m. Great workout! Wonderful trails! These trails are the best thing that happened to Santa Fe in a long time. The trails are pretty tight single-track with lots of switch backs. They are constantly going up and down. The difference between the lowest and the highest point is about 500ft. Every switch back and gully is ridable, but a few are hard to master every time.

Recommended Route:
Outer perimeter going counterclockwise starting at Upper Canyon Rd trail head. Combine central and north sections for a 10 miles ride.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Eldorado, Gringo Acres (north of Nambe Res.), all trails off Hyde Park Rd., Windsor, Dorthy Stewart, St. John's

Reviewed by: Bruce Bahnsen , from Tacoma, WA, USA

Summary:
The trails south of canyon road are steep, with lots of a hike-a-bike. But the descent is almost
all rideable. I did the south loop in a clockwise fasion. The stuff between canyon road and hyde
park is all rideable, although the views are not as good.
These trails are definitely recommended if you only have a few hours to ride while in town.
I rented a hard-tail Kona from the LBS on Cerritos. The terrain is really pretty smooth, and a
hard-tail makes some of the steep stuff a lot more climbable.

Recommended Route:
South and Middle sections, accessed from Cerro Gordo at Canyon Road

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Winsor

Reviewed by: Matt , from Albuquerque

Summary:
The trails are in excellent shape, and except for the very north end, you can pretty much ride year round. This is one really excellent system, and a good alternative to Windsor. Next summer this section will connect with Atalaya,

Recommended Route:
Outer loop

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Windsor, Bear Wallow, Borrego, Dale Ball North