The Land of Enchantment provides many a beautiful vista and some of the best Mexican food around. Spend the day hiking at Trigo Canyon. Then celebrate your outdoor accomplishments with a meal at Montaño’s, complete with a sopapilla – imagine if you will, fried dough sweetened with honey, similar to a doughnut.

The Trigo Canyon Trail is located in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness Area near Belen, New Mexico. The sound of a babbling brook accompanies you along the path.

Trigo Springs Road dead-ends at the trailhead, which is surrounded by the John F. Kennedy Campground. Roads leading to the trail may be a bit bumpy. This 8.8-mile out-and-back trail, rated as challenging, generally follows the stream. If you hike the entire trail, it is estimated to take roughly 5.5 hours to do so.

After hiking for a couple of miles, you will come across a series of small waterfalls. In the summer, cool off under the spray, or in the natural swimming holes beneath the falls.

As a less challenging alternative to hiking the entire trail, go 2.5 miles in, as far as the waterfalls, and then turn back – having already enjoyed the waterfalls, perhaps caves, and great views. For the first 1.5 miles the elevation change is gradual, and the trail is well maintained. After you reach the waterfalls, the climb becomes steeper, the canyon walls narrower, and the trail more overgrown.

The scenery is rather impressive, especially as the 9,000-foot-tall Osha Peak comes into view. The trail starts at the bottom of the canyon and then climbs upwards.

You could happen upon butterflies, snakes, and perhaps even a cow. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail. Families with children have enjoyed this trail too.

Keep going far enough along the trail and you will see caves that have formed in the rocks.

The second half of this trail demonstrates a burned-out forest, as a result of an earlier fire.

Montaño’s Family Restaurant is located in Belen, New Mexico, less than an hour’s drive from the Trigo Canyon Trail.

After a hike, leave room to partake of the light and airy sopapillas with your well-earned, and delicious, Mexican meal.

Eating sopapillas will quickly become your favorite end to a day of exploring New Mexico. Maybe we should start our day with this sweetness instead?

A happy hike and a marvelous meal, what more could we ask for? For more information, follow Montaño’s Restaurant on Facebook.

Have you hiked the Trigo Canyon Trail or eaten a sopapilla at Montaño’s? Share your thoughts with us!

Check out some of our other local articles highlighting 12 of the best hikes in New Mexico, an apple orchard in Belen, and the best sticky buns in New Mexico.