An ideal option to get from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, this trail runs along the scenic eastern edge of the Sandia Crest, once famous for its turquoise, silver, gold and coal mines. The arid mountainscape is dotted with revived "ghost towns" - suitably weather-beaten, arty villages whose bright colors are reminiscent of Madrid. Not far away, the village of Cerillos is the site of the Casa Grande Trading Post, which sells real and imitation turquoise stones.