Trail Overview
County Road A19A to Hermits Peak is a scenic, beginner-friendly dirt road that offers stunning canyon views, mountain vistas, and direct access to the Santa Fe National Forest near Las Vegas, New Mexico. It begins at an elevation of 6,729 feet and winds steadily upward alongside a picturesque creek, passing through charming local villages before reaching its high point at 9,506 feet. The route gains approximately 3,202 feet of cumulative elevation, providing breathtaking panoramic views of Hermits Peak and the surrounding high-desert wilderness.
Traveling along this well-maintained unpaved road, drivers will experience minimal traffic, making it a peaceful escape into the New Mexico high country. The road's gradual slope has an average gradient of just 2.5 degrees, though a few steeper pitches reach up to 17.8 degrees near the national forest boundary. To reach the trailhead, visitors can take scenic back roads heading northwest from Las Vegas, New Mexico. Best traveled from late spring through autumn when roads are clear of winter snow, this route offers a perfect introduction to mountainous backcountry without the need for high clearance or four-wheel drive.
