Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail
~2 days · 14 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail is known for
This National Recreation Trail crosses the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness near Taos, New Mexico, linking Columbine Campground in the Red River valley with Twining at Taos Ski Valley via Columbine Canyon and Deer Creek. Roughly 13 miles point-to-point with a high alpine crossing; usually done as a 2-day trip.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 25,961 ft to 41,539 ft over 14 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 5.2 mi · 37%
- Downhill 8.7 mi · 62%
- Flat 0.2 mi · 1%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail scores 20/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 14 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail?
The Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail climbs roughly 3,379 ft total — about 241 ft per mile, topping out near 12,700 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.