Hike Main Loop Trail (Bandelier National Monument), New Mexico

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The Main Loop Trail is a 1.2 mile loop trail (thanks to log crossings) through archeological sites. Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour on this trail. Ladders along the trail allow visitors to climb into cavates (small human-carved alcoves). The Main Loop Trail takes you past the Big Kiva, Tyuonyi, Talus House, and Long House. Big Kiva once had a roof covering it and was a communal meeting place. Tyuonyi (Qu-weh-nee)was once two stories tall with over 400 rooms, most of which were used for storing food. Talus House was reconstructed in 1920. Similar talus houses, built from rock debris at the bottom of the cliff, used to be in front of the other cavates. At Long House the homes were built along the base of the cliff allowing them to be 3 to 4 stories tall. There are hundreds of petroglyphs, carved drawings, of a variety of subjects including this one of a turkey. Pick up a $1 trail guide at the Visitor Center to learn more about the sites along the trail through descriptions of 21 numbered stops. The first section of this trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers; however, the second part contains areas with numerous narrow stone stairways. In winter, this is the only trail on which the snow is removed. Restrooms and drinking water near trailhead at the visitor center. The morning after a winter snow this trail may be closed for a few hours while staff remove the snow from the trail. A trail closure will be indicated by a sign at the start of the trail. Please obey closure signs. Walking on the snowy trail leaves dangerous ice that can remain for months. Check at the visitor center for details.

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