Chiva Falls

This is a wonderful cool weather ride. If you can go shortly after a winter rain it is really spectacular. Mostly jeep trail with a lot of traffic from off road vehicles and hikers. A little of something for every ability level and the ride can be done by almost every ability level although there may be some hike a bike for those not in great shape.

The ride up to Trail Head #1 is the worst part of the trip. Redington Road is miserable. You may want to park at the end of the pavement and ride up to Trail Head #2, about 7.5 miles of fairly tough climbing. My Civic was not up to the task last time I went so I parked at the Upper Tanque Verde Falls area and took the bike up from there.

DIRECTIONS: Take Tanque Verde East until it becomes Redington Road (past 49ers Country Club). From the end of the pavement you have several options: Park there and ride, go as far as you dare in your car and then ride, go all the way up to Trail Head #1 and park. This trail head is 4.5 miles up Redington Road from where the pavement ends. There is a Corral on your left and a large, cleared parking area on the right which will probably have cars in it if you are not real early. It is about 3.5 miles up Redington Road to the second trail head which is also on the right but not as well marked and has a much smaller parking area. This jeep trail looks VERY DIFFICULT at the beginning. Don't be scared away, it gets easier. It might be a good idea to print out a copy of the map (I made a BAD left turn coming back from the falls - you should avoid the first left you come to on the return trip!).

A rider at Chiva Falls after a winter rain.

A shot of the falls and the area below.

Tanque Verde Falls from the Southern side. If you get here you have made a mistake!

Elevation of Chiva Falls Loop (Up Redington from Trail Head #1 to Trail Head #2, then to the falls)

Map of Chiva Falls Loop (Please note where the left turn is coming back from the falls)