BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN NEW MEXICO

ROUTE: NM-152
DISTANCE: 66 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

This motorcycle road in New Mexico is one of those roads where you won’t spend much time site seeing, as the ride itself is a joyous challenge. It’s chock full of exceptional hairpin turns and curves as you ride alongside deep canyons just southeast of New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. This route is very technical, as it features not only the continuous hairpins turns, but also elevation changes while offering breathtaking mountain views, including that of Emory Pass. Many riders say this stretch of road is the best kept secret in the Southwest United States! For longer riding, take Route 15 (listed below) or Route 35 to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument for a fantastic motorcycle tour of New Mexico’s finest scenery.


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ROUTE: NM-15
DISTANCE: 37 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

This motorcycle route is very close to the above mentioned NM-152 route, and can be started in Silver City, NM. Ride along one of the best motorcycle roads in New Mexico through the curves through the southern portion of Gila National Forest, and up north to beautiful mountain scenery. The road north of Pinos Altos is particularly great, as most of the twisting curves are not too challenging for experienced riders. There’s lush spreads of aspens, cactus, junipers and oak trees in this expansive national forest. Check out the amazing Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument at roads end. Make sure to fuel up in the Silver City area, as there basically no gas stations on this ride to the Monument.
(photo: F. Farrell)


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ROUTES: US-64, NM-434, NM-518
DISTANCE: 105 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours

Ride along twisty roads, high passes, and great scenery from Taos down the quiet MN-434 to Mora, and back up north through the Pecos Natural Historic Park. There’s sweeping bends, lush green alpine meadows, mountain scenery and elevation changes that make this a great NM motorcycle ride. These motorcycle roads are where Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda shot many of the riding scenes in the classic Easy Rider. The northern section of NM-518 is designated the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway. Be sure to check out any overlook on this section for pure New Mexico peace and tranquility. Overall, this loop is a great diverse motorcycle ride, as there will be some wide open NM valleys, as well as challenging twisting turns of the Taos Canyon. With NM-518 on the west and NM-434 on the east side of this loop, it makes for a fantastic motorcycle ride in New Mexico!


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ROUTE: Sandia Crest Scenic Hwy, NM-536
DISTANCE: 14 miles
TIME: 30 mins

There’s some awesome scenery on this exhilarating twisty mountain road just northeast of Albuquerque, NM. Sandia Crest Road (Route 536) is a 13.6 mile stretch of motorcycle road that’s loaded with hairpin turns as it climbs to the top of the Sandia Crest Mountain. Tucked away in the Cibola National Forest, this curvy road is very scenic as it travels through the high desert and dense forests of the Sandia Mountains. It’s a pretty steep grade as you’ll gain about 4,000ft of elevation in 14 miles. Once at the top, you can park and check out the awesome scenic overlook of Albuquerque. There will be a lot of downshifting as you descend back down the 180 degree turns, but there are amazing views along the way, making this one of the greatest and fun motorcycle rides in all of New Mexico. Be sure to pack some rain gear, as there can be some passing showers up the mountain.


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ROUTES: Sacramento Canyon Rd, Sunspot Hwy, NM-244
DISTANCE: 64 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

Ride through some fantastic canyons, farmland and ranches through the Lincoln National Forest. The roads along this New Mexico motorcycle ride are in great condition, with lots of great curves and long sweeping turns. There aren’t too many tight, hairpins turns, which makes it great for riders of all skill levels. However, with high elevation changes up to 9,000ft, the weather will change dramatically. Summer storms can soak you fast up there, so it’s a good idea to pack some rain gear layers, not only for the rain, but for warmth. If you have the time for longer touring, loop around by NM-24 and NM-130 to experience all that the National forest has to offer. But if you’re taking just one road through, the ride along Sunspot Highway is most definitely the best motorcycle road to take.


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ROUTE: NM-59
DISTANCE: 40 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

Route 59 is a scenic New Mexico motorcycle road is found in the southwestern part of the state in the Gila National Forest area. It’s a lonely 2-lane route that carves through the New Mexico landscape, leaving a motorcyclist with serene riding. This road can be started near the famed Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway. Looking for curvy roads near me in New Mexico? Don’t miss this motorcycle route in southwestern NM!


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ROUTES: US-180, NM-78
DISTANCE: 74 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

For a great NM motorcycle ride, check out US-180 to NM-78 through Mule Creek to the Arizona state line. The main route on 180 has plenty of great sweepers as you ride though New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. As you descend through the pine forests, you’ll notice the gradual rise in temperature and will probably need to start shedding some layers. Route 78 winds down through the forest and eventually crosses the valley of gently rolling grassy areas with wide open views of the mountains. Continue past the AZ border as the best part of Route 78 curves with hairpin turns and fantastic scenery. For a longer, two day ride, connect a loop to the Coronado Trail (Arizona Route 191) just west over the state line.


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GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near New Mexico and the Southwest United States. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the Southwest with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!