more stats
2.9 miles
Distance
58 ft
Climb
-1,195 ft
Descent
00:19:59
Avg time
-1,137 ft
Altitude change
9,150 ft
Altitude min
10,286 ft
Altitude max
10,286 ft
Altitude start
9,150 ft
Altitude end
-7.3%
Grade
-40.1%
Grade max
14.1%
Grade min
1,280 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
1,690 ft
Distance flat
00:19:59
Avg time

Challenge Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Sandia Mountain East Side Trails
    Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Ref Number
    #233
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    90 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 75 in Trail Running
    • 65 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Global Ranking
    #49509 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #71974 in Trail Running
    • #89305 in Hiking
    • #1275 in Horseback
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Land Owner
    USFS - Sandia Ranger District

The top section of Challenge begins at Ellis TH. Many upgrades and reroutes have made this one of the best and most popular trails in the Sandias. It can be ridden in both directions, but downhill is the best. It pass through dense forest.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 9 rides
  • 20 miles avg distance
All
  • 338 rides
  • Last: Aug 15, 2025
c1c2c3c4
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Challenge Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 6, 2026 @ 8:46am (America/Denver)
May 6, 2026
 reporter Challenge Trail is closed between Ellis parking lot and 10K parking lot for fuel reduction project. See...
May 4, 2026 @ 3:16am (America/Denver)
May 4, 2026
 Alot of very thin snow patches and a few trees down, but still completely doable if you're determined. Great trail.
Oct 17, 2025 @ 1:20pm (Pacific/Midway)
Oct 17, 2025
 reporter
Aug 2, 2025 @ 7:02am
Aug 2, 2025
 A few mud spots but otherwise ideal!
Jul 28, 2025 @ 9:23am
Jul 28, 2025
 reporter May be muddy above 9 mile due to hail storm
more »
Status:
on May 6, 2026
Variable
Avg: 4.14 (8 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Both Directions
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        Directions to challenge trailhead (35.208190, -106.440930)

        Photos

        12 more »
        50 |
        Oct 18, 2025 @ 8:04am
        Oct 18, 2025
        62 |
        Oct 18, 2025 @ 8:04am
        Oct 18, 2025
        88 |
        Jul 22, 2022 @ 4:36pm
        Jul 22, 2022
        109 |
        Jul 21, 2022 @ 6:46pm
        Jul 21, 2022

        Videos

        9 more »
        RAW TRAIL WEDNESDAY: Challenge
        16:02 | 77 | Feb 2, 2025 , Albuquerque
        Challenge Trail - Sandia Crest Downhill
        10:31 | 262 | May 6, 2024 , Albuquerque
        Ginger Vision Episode #3- MSC/ Pro GRT Chile...
        4:47 | 12672 | Jun 18, 2012 , Albuquerque
        redbull challenge chillin' to worldcup
        11:28 | 235 | Oct 17, 2011 , Albuquerque

        Routes with this trail

        25
        The whole Challenge top to bottom
        9 miles • 509 ft • 5 • Shuttled •
        The whole starts at Ellis Trailhead on the Crest Rd and ends at the top of . It is usually ridden as a...
        95
        Full Faulty 30
        ★ 4.0 • 30 miles • 5,614 ft • 33 • Loop •
        Very difficult route that gets the entirety of the Faulty trail (minus to at the very beginning.) You need...
        91
        Ski Area Bonanza
        ★ 5.0 • 22 miles • 3,710 ft • 33 • Loop •
        This is a real fun route that gets all of the best stuff in the Sandia Ski Area system. This route...

        3 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About Challenge

        ▼ Where is Challenge located?
        Challenge is located in Sandia Mountain East Side Trails, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Sandia Mountain East Side Trails trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 35.20819, -106.44093.
        ▼ How hard is Challenge?
        Challenge is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 7.3%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Challenge?
        Challenge has 58 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,195 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 9,150 ft to 10,286 ft.
        ▼ Is Challenge a point to point trail?
        Challenge is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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