Mundo Viejo Gallery presents:
The "High Road" To Taos
 Where to go, how to get there, and what to see.

 
 

 




* On the map below the "High Road" is indicated with a bold line.

Our address is: 
1751 State Road 75, Vadito, NM 87579
for directions or appointments call (575) 587-1780

 

 
From Santa Fe head north on the 285 toward Espanola to the 76.  If you would like to bypass the city of Espanola, and take an even more scenic route, then turn right on Hwy. 503 just past the intersection to Los Alamos, and go through Nambe.  This will take you through a couple of small villages and out into beautiful landscapes.  Once you pass all the villages, go 3 or 4 miles until you see the first intersection to your left, which says to Santuario De Chimayo.  Turn left there and in a few miles you will be in Chimayo, which is famous for the church with the healing dirt and it's red chile.  From this point continue on the same road  and it will dead end into Hwy. 76 in Chimayo.  At this point turn right and you are now on the "High Road".  Taking this alternate route will save you about 30  minutes on your drive from Santa Fe to Taos and I believe its well worth it. 

Along the way: 

There is the Santuario De Chimayo which is an old mission style church and village, as well as many shops and galleries.  Chimayo is also famous for it's weavers and there are many weaving shops along the road.  Cordova is another small mountain village tucked away in a beautiful valley to the right as you make you way up into the mountains on Hwy. 76, look for signs on your right hand side.  Cordova is mainly a wood carving village an there are a few galleries. Continuing up as you drive to the top of the hill is Truchas.  A small mountain village with outstanding views of the Rio Grande Valley below.  Perched on the mountain side, Truchas is filled with charming galleries, with everything from beginner artists to world renowned artists and also has a few B&B's.  This village was made famous when parts of the movie The Milagro Beanfield War was filmed there.  Once you arrive a top the hill go straight to see the village of Truchas and turn left to go toward Taos.  Now your in the mountains surrounded by pine forest and your next site to see is the old mission style church in Las Trampas.  Beautifully preserved,  this church is an excellent example of early Spanish Catholic religion and was one of the first churches built in this part of northern New Mexico.  Traveling on you will go through a few more small villages and eventually arrive at the intersection of Hwy. 75, go right toward Penasco, famous in the past for furniture makers, or make a left and follow the signs to Picuris Pueblo, a small Indian community with a beautiful church, a small museum and visitor center.  Penasco has a few places to eat and some small galleries.  Heading out of Penasco stay left on Hwy. 75 toward Taos and in 3 miles you will arrive in the village of Vadito.  In Vadito you will find two galleries on the left hand side of the road, one of which is Mundo Viejo Gallery next to the town church, and your host and the creator of this web site (for more information check out our Homepage).  These galleries in Vadito are well worth the stop.  Moving on towards Taos is the village of Placitas with a small shop on the left and a quaint little church surrounded by homes on the right. From here it's two
miles to the 518 intersection, go left toward Taos.  Which takes you over the mountains and through the most beautiful forest.  Or go right towards Mora and pick a camping site or go to Sipapu summer and ski resort to enjoy hiking, fishing, skiing, Disc Golf or just being in the mountains. 

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Eric Andrews

For information, E-Mail us : mundoviejo@mundoviejo.com
or call at 1-575-587-1780