Manzano Crest Trail landscape

Photo by Bailey Alexander on Unsplash

Manzano Crest Trail

1 days · 20.9 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance20.9 mi
Days out1
Elevation gain4,255 ft
Gain / mile204 ft
High point10,007 ft
Difficulty index19/100

What the Manzano Crest Trail is known for

This 20.9-mile route in New Mexico's Manzano Mountains gains about 4,255 feet. Its substantial climbing and overall distance support a moderate difficulty rating.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Manzano Crest Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 27,221 ft to 32,831 ft over 20.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 8.3 mi · 40%
  • Downhill 11.7 mi · 56%
  • Flat 0.9 mi · 4%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Manzano Crest Trail?

19 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Manzano Crest Trail scores 19/100, 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 much elevation gain is on the Manzano Crest Trail?

The Manzano Crest Trail climbs roughly 4,255 ft total — about 204 ft per mile, topping out near 10,007 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from the USDA Forest Service National Forest System Trails dataset (EDW), a work of the US federal government in the public domain. 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.

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