Cross of the Martyrs — Attraction in Santa Fe

Lovely view of Santa Fe, but it's a bit run down and overgrown. Abode walls have been damaged for years. They try to keep up with the graffiti. Weird stuff I've seen: a kid throwing watermelons and pumpkins over the side (it depends on the season but it's been going on for several years), a man shooting up, various rituals involving flowers, incense, sage, yoga and chanting (but not all of those at once). I almost ran into a well-known actor (literally) as I was jogging through and he was filming something. The occasional dope smokers are present, but I don't know if they'll share; they didn't offer and I didn't ask. I've also seen a random homeless person or two and a few suspected drug transactions. I think it's mostly safe as I've been running and hiking up and down here for almost 20 years. I would keep a cellphone handy just in...

The Cross of the Martyrs/Overlook is: • an enjoyable (if sometimes steep…but see tip below) 6/10 mile walk from Paseo de Peralta on the north edge of downtown past the site of Fort Marcy (see Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary), • a history lesson about the only successful Native American revolt against European colonization in North American history, and • a west-facing viewpoint overlooking the low-profile skyline of Santa Fe.

Tip #1: There is no parking for this walk on Paseo de Peralta but there is free parking at Prince Park, just past Fort Marcy Hotel Suites on Kearney Avenue. Remember, Santa Fe is already 1⅓ miles above sea level, so park here and walk as much (or as little) of the paved path as you wish.

Tip #2: Check the time of sunset on the day of your visit for the most spectacular photo...

It is a wonderful hill with the name Cross of the Martyrs. This is a new cross of the Martyrs, because from that very top of the hill I can see another old Brown Cross, and I did check that to make sure that is also name The Cross of the Martyrs before the white one here in this hill. For memorial 22 friars of Franciscan Order had been kill at the time civil and the church had authority's conflict. And also wrote down the history of the place too, Santa Fe, the first or oldest capital of US, more than 300 years. I climbed there not only one time, every day when I was there I spent just 8 minutes from Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi to there, because I could see the sunrise very clearly from the hill and look down to the center of Sante Fe, where the Basilica and Loretto chapel...