Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque (must see)

The Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque is a world-renowned aerial tramway that spans from the city's northeast edge to Sandia Peak, located on the ridge line of the Sandia Mountains. It is considered the longest aerial tram in the Americas and the third-longest single span in the world, with a span of 7,720 feet.

The tramway was constructed by Bell Engineering of Lucerne, Switzerland, and entered service on May 7, 1966. It was co-founded by Ben Abruzzo and Robert Nordhaus, who was inspired to build a tram after seeing similar systems in Europe. Today, the tram makes 10,500 trips per year, transporting passengers on a scenic journey that takes 15 minutes to ascend 3,819 ft.

The tramway is a "double reversible jig back aerial tramway" and has two cars that are capable of carrying 50 passengers each. These cars are equipped with numerous safety and backup systems, such as multiple emergency braking systems and a grounding system that ensures passenger safety during lightning strikes. The tramway ascends the steep western side of the Sandia Mountains, from a base elevation of 6,559 feet to a top elevation of 10,378 feet.

The view from the tram includes all of Albuquerque and roughly 11,000 square miles of New Mexico countryside. The tramway has only two support towers, the first of which is 232 feet tall and situated at an elevation of 7,010 feet. The second tower is only 80 feet tall and located at the end of a major spur of the mountains at an elevation of 8,750 feet.

At the top of Sandia Peak, visitors can enjoy year-round recreational options, including hiking, backpacking, nature hikes, and skiing during the winter months. In the summer, more than 26 miles of mountain biking trails are available for adventure seekers. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic views from TEN 3, a restaurant located adjacent to the top tram terminal.

While riding the tram, passengers will pass over Domingo Baca Canyon, the site of the TWA Flight 260 crash in 1955. While much of the wreckage was removed during the construction of the tramway, some remnants of the crash may still be visible on the canyon floor.

Access to the Sandia Peak Tramway is only available by car, bicycle, or foot as there is no public transportation in the area. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or someone who enjoys scenic views, a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway is an experience not to be missed.