This “road less traveled” will pass near many of the Pueblos of New Mexico, many of which you can visit and shop among the native artisans or take part in their celebrations.

The “road less traveled” in this southwest area comprises Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico and takes you through old, picturesque Hispanic towns where families trace their lineage back to the time of Spanish rule. These towns were all originally built around plazas, some still standing. Many have their own artistic specialties such as the weaving tradition in Chimayo.

The scenic byway, the High Road to Taos, running between Santa Fe and Taos, takes you over beautiful mountain passes before dropping into the artist colony of Taos.

Another scenic road, the Highway of Legends in Southern Colorado, winds through the Spanish Peaks starting with the picturesque town of La Veta. You can further explore this area tramping along the many hiking trails

On this “road less traveled” you will drive through spectacular mountain vistas dotted with adobe structures . The mountain ranges rise high from the plains around Santa Fe forming a spectacular backdrop.

Within this southwest area, you can follow the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail from the reproduced Bents Fort in the plains near La Junta...

... through the restored railroad town of Trinidad with the original cobblestone streets, through small New Mexican towns such as Cimarron that were havens during its frontier history, past ruins at Fort Union and Pecos National Monument.

...and follow this road to its end at the famous Santa Fe Plaza where shops and native arts and crafts abound.