Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway is the longest single-span aerial tramway in the world, carrying passengers 2.7 miles from the northeast edge of Albuquerque up the dramatic western escarpment of the Sandia Mountains to the 10,378-foot summit at Sandia Peak. The 15-minute ride ascends 4,000 vertical feet through five different life zones — from Chihuahuan Desert scrub at the bottom to Rocky Mountain alpine forest and exposed granite ridgeline at the top — offering a natural history lesson compressed into a single unforgettable experience.

The views from the summit are extraordinary in every direction: Albuquerque sprawls across the Rio Grande Valley to the west, the Jemez Mountains fill the horizon to the northwest, and the vast central New Mexico plains extend south toward Bosque and beyond. The summit area has a restaurant, a small visitor center, and access to miles of hiking trails along the Sandia Mountain ridgeline. In winter, the tram serves skiers and snowboarders accessing the Sandia Peak Ski Area on the eastern (Tijeras) side of the mountain.

The tram cars are large enough for 50 passengers and the ride is smooth even in moderate winds. The tramway has been in continuous operation since 1966 and is a beloved Albuquerque landmark. Sunset rides, when the city lights begin to sparkle below and the western sky turns shades of terracotta and crimson, are among the most romantic experiences the Albuquerque area offers. Reservations are recommended during summer weekends and the fall foliage season.