Switchback Trail

The Switchback Trail is a 4.1 loop path that circles a portion of the highway near Cloudcroft, and follows a portion of the railroad bed of the historic Cloud Climbing Railroad route.

Accessed from a quiet trailhead up a short gravel road near the town of Cloudcroft, or via the larger network of Cloudcroft area hiking trails, this loop trail maintains a gradual slope as it hugs the forested hills up a slope to the west of the highway, and heads up a grassy meadow at a hill's base to the east of the highway.

This route, also signed as Trail 5004, sees a good amount of visitors during the summer peak season, however stays quiet during the other months. Following the railroad, the elevation change remains gradual with the exceptions of a couple steeper bypasses for trail washouts. About halfway, the path crosses a pedestrian bridge which spans the highway. 

Hikers should prepare themselves for a high elevation hike - the trailhead sits at over 8100' - snowy conditions can last late into the spring months. There is also no water or bathrooms anywhere along the hike.