Turquoise Trail & Madrid
Turquoise Trail
A scenic byway linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe, passing through the old mining town of Madrid, now home to artists.
The Turquoise Trail, also known as NM 14, is a National Scenic Byway running about 80 km north from the eastern foot of the Sandia Mountains to Santa Fe. Along the way it passes several former turquoise, gold and coal mining towns. Madrid was once a coal-mining town and is now full of galleries, craft shops and cafés. It was also a filming location for the movie Wild Hogs. You can visit the gold-mining towns of Golden and Cerrillos as well. The route suits a half-day self-drive, and you can drive one way to Santa Fe.
Opening hours
Open all day; town shops approx. 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Sandia Crest
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
- Sandia Peak Tramway
- Elena Gallegos Open Space
- Coronado Historic Site
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
- National Museum of Nuclear Science & History