Venado Peak

At 12,730 feet, Venado Peak is a summit in New Mexico. The Venado Peak Trail covers 11.7 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 2,385 feet of elevation gain — gentle grades, but the mileage is what makes it a Strenuous outing.

The Route

Most of the climbing comes early — the first half of the route does the bulk of the work before the grade eases. The steepest stretch arrives around mile 0.42, gaining roughly 1,100 feet per mile — expect a slow, deliberate pace through here. From the trailhead at about 11,476 feet, the route tops out near 12,618 feet. You'll cross above treeline on the way up, so the upper route is exposed to weather — check the forecast and turn around if conditions build.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 36.79145, -105.44938 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 80 miles north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Arrive early on weekends — trailhead lots at popular peaks fill quickly, and cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.

When to Go

The reliable snow-free window is roughly July through September. At this elevation, afternoon thunderstorms are a serious summer hazard — start early and plan to be off the upper mountain by midday. Outside that window expect snow travel and bring traction and navigation skills to match.

Know Before You Go

The Strenuous rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 5.0 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Virsylvia Peak, Latir Mesa and Cabresto Peak — each has its own guide on this site.