Otero Canyon-Tunnel Canyon Loop

Posted on by Marilyn Warrant

Otero Canyon-Tunnel Canyon Loop Hike
In Cedro Peak Region


Map File Source: Garmin BaseCamp

 map Hike Key: H10757
Last Updated: 02/12/2026 9:08pm
Last Updated By: Marilyn Warrant
Hike Class: B (Moderate)
Hike Distance: 5.1 mi
Minimum Elevation: 6780 ft
Elevation Change: 574 ft
Total Uphill: 680 ft
Total Downhill: 680 ft
Avg. Grade: 4 %
Route Type: CW Loop
On Trail: Yes
Paved or Gravel Roads: Yes
GPS Advised: Yes
Drive Distance Round Trip: 40 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 0:45
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
New Mexico Game Unit: 14
Hike Status: In Process
Attractions: Fall Color, Forest, Rock Formations, and Views

Highlights

A well-marked forested trail along the ridges of the Manzanita Mountain foothills close to Albuquerque.

Cautions

Quite a bit of walking on rocks.


Trailhead Directions

From Albuquerque take I-40 east. Take exit 175 south to Tijeras. From the traffic light in Tijeras go south on NM 337 (Old Highway 14) for 4 miles to Otero Canyon, [PARK] (0.0 mi) on the right.


Actual Hike

From PARK, take the Otero Canyon trail through the trees generally straight south. Make a note of where you’ll go LEFT ON RETURN. Go generally south by GKIDS PLAY and stop at 5268-WESTRIDGE, where you make a sharp turn to the right. Work your way through several switchbacks to SNACK, and reach the TOP of the hike. Start going north then to the LUNCH spot. Continue going north to 5411-BRDHS RID (Birdhouse Ridge), then turn right. Go northeast by 5145-TUN CYN until you reach LEFT ON RETURN. It’s a short way from there back to PARK.


Comments

The Otero Canyon East Loop hike trails are shown in the middle left part of the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map.

Hike data were determined using a Garmin GPSMap 64 and Garmin BaseCamp’s DEM for TOPO US 24K Southwest.

Waypoints

PARK: N35 02.085, W106 22.453
5056-OTERO CYN: N35 02.021, W106 22.460
LEFT ON RETURN: N35 01.862, W106 22.436
GKIDS PLAY: N35 01.774, W106 22.934
5268-WESTRIDGE: N35 00.803, W106 22.212
SNACK: N35 00.964, W106 22.396
TOP: N35 00.781, W106 22.483
LUNCH: N35 01.369, W106 22.662
5411-BRDHS RID: N35 01.774, W106 22.934
5145-TUN CYN: N35 01.931, W106 22.739

Map Filename: OteroCanyon-TunnelCanyonMap_MW.jpg
Hike GPS File Name: Otero-TunnelLoopWayTrack_MW.gpx
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file

Text Author: Marilyn Warrant
Map Author: Marilyn Warrant
Waypoints Author: Marilyn Warrant
Track Author: Marilyn Warrant
Maintainer: Not Assigned
Editor: