La Bajada Hill is the formidable landmark where the Spanish divided their colonies into the Rio Arriba (Upper River) and Rio Abajo (Lower River). The dramatic 1300-foot ascent to Santa Fe features a well-equipped Visitor Center at its summit.

Traversing La Bajada Hill Road was once an arduous trip; however, in the 1930s the Highway Department moved the road three miles to the east to the same route currently used by I-25. Remnants of the long history of travel up the hill are still visible; petroglyphs, wagon ruts, and the initials of drivers who climbed the hill in the early 1910s and 1920s mark the trail.

The old road is still accessible for mountain bike rides or hiking. The shadeless hill is best explored in the cool spring and fall weather.

For more information visit www.newmexico.org/ScenicAttractions/route66/bajada.asp

Driving Directions
Take I-25 to the Cochiti Pueblo exit/NM-16. Travel west on NM-16 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on the Tetilla Peak Recreation Area road. After one mile, turn right onto an unmarked dirt road, continue 1.5 miles, and park past the bridge over the Santa Fe River. The old road turns right from the bridge.

Lodging near La Bajada includes:
The Bobcat Inn (southeast of Santa Fe)
Santa Fe Lodge (south of Santa Fe)
Sleep Inn (south of Santa Fe)
Inn and Spa at Sunrise Springs (south of Santa Fe)