Through its art, landscapes, and history, the High Road to Taos will tell a story of its past and present. From Santa Fe to Taos, the byway is one of the most impressive drives in New Mexico. Beginning your journey in Espanola, the official beginning of the byway, you can see remarkable work of local artists, dine in authentic Mexican and southwestern restaurants, and catch lovely views of the Jemez mountains. Traveling east, you will reach Chimayo. Be sure to visit the Santuario de Chimayo, a legendary church thought to have healing powers and one of the most visited chapels in the west. Also visit the Plaza del Cerro, the Spanish Southwests only surviving fortified plaza.
Route 518 will take you on a climb past the artisan town of Cordova and to Truchas, which was once a Spanish-outpost and offers spectacular views of the Rio Grande Valley and Truchas Peak. After Truchas, you will find yourself in the Carson National Forest and past small towns and lovely desert views. You will want to stop in the small town of Las Trampas, home to the San Jose de Gracia Church, one of the most beautiful colonial-era churches in the country. Continue north past the Picuris Pueblo, a small pueblo still inhabited by the Picuris tribe. You will end your journey at Ranchos de Taos. Be sure to visit the magnificent San Francisco de Asis, possibly the most photographed church in New Mexico, and the inspiration behind many paintings by Georgia OKeefe.
You will find as you travel along the High Road, that even the structures and towns seem to fit into the natural landscape because of their diverse culture and rich history. The adobe brick churches and chapels tell a story about the Spanish influence on the region, and the awe-inspiring views of the Jemez mountains, Rio Grande Valley, and towering mesas will give you an idea of just how New Mexico was meant to be experienced.
