The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: The Cerro Grande Route

Many people who visit Bandelier National Monument don’t take the time to familiarize themselves with the areas outside the main portions of the park. This is a mistake. Much of the monument is located in a desert environment; however, just a few miles to the north is an area that most people wouldn’t recognize as being part of Bandelier. The star attraction in this part of the park is Cerro Grande Peak, with its outstanding views of the Valles Caldera. The Cerro Grande Route explores the subalpine and montane forests of the Jemez Mountains, and ends at the top of Cerro Grande Peak, the highest point in Bandelier. For more information on this not-to-miss hike, please click here.