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Sandia Peak Tramway — Broad view of Albuquerque from the Sandia MountainsPhoto: Nightscream · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
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Sandia Peak Tramway

Cable cars & funiculars ·Albuquerque ·Closed
4.719.9K
#1Cable cars & funiculars in the USMost reviewed in AlbuquerqueTravelers' Choice 2026
  • from USD 35
  • Step-free access
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About

Sandia Peak Tramway carries riders 2.7 miles from Albuquerque to Sandia Peak, with the Americas’ longest aerial tram span.

More photos 8

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Sandia Peak Tramway — Tram car crossing the rocky Sandia Mountains beneath a clear blue sky Nightscream · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
Sandia Peak Tramway — Tram car crossing the rocky Sandia Mountains beneath a clear blue skySandia Peak Tramway — Close view of a Sandia Peak tram car above the rocky slopeSandia Peak Tramway — Tram car boarding platform enclosed by blue railings at the stationSandia Peak Tramway — Tram car suspended above a forested mountain canyonSandia Peak Tramway — Sandia Peak tram car passing over the rocky mountainsideSandia Peak Tramway — Tram car beside the mountain station viewing platformSandia Peak Tramway — Rocky mountain slopes and scattered homes along the tram routeSandia Peak Tramway — Sunlit view across Albuquerque and the surrounding landscape

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 20:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 20:00
Tuesday09:00 – 20:00
Wednesday09:00 – 20:00
Thursday09:00 – 20:00
Friday09:00 – 20:00
Saturday09:00 – 20:00
Sunday09:00 – 20:00

Shorts

Why go

  • A 15-minute ride climbs the mountain’s western side from 6,559 to 10,378 feet.
  • The tramway has the Americas’ longest aerial tram span and the world’s third-longest single span.
  • The route reaches 274 metres above the ground at its highest point.
  • Views from the tram include Albuquerque and about 11,000 square miles of countryside.
  • Forest Service trails at the summit support hiking, backpacking and nature walks.

Best time to visit

  • Summer brings access to more than 26 miles of mountain-biking trails.
  • In winter, the summit station accesses intermediate ski runs on the mountain’s gentler eastern side.

Tips for your visit

  • Mountain weather can change quickly.
  • Displays in the upper terminal describe Sandia Mountains geology, plants and animals.
  • Riders may be able to see remaining wreckage from the 1955 TWA Flight 260 crash on the canyon floor.

With kids

  • Strollers are allowed on the tram, observation deck and upper terminal walkways.
  • A cabin operator describes mountain formations, vegetation and animals during the ride.

Know before you go

  • Open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00–20:00; closed Tuesdays.
  • The tram and TEN 3 close for two weeks in April and November for maintenance; exact dates are not supplied.
  • The tram operates weather permitting.
  • Visitors are asked to purchase tickets online.
  • Service animals are allowed; other pets are not.

Interesting facts5

1/5
  1. 232 feet

    The first support tower is 232 feet tall and leans at an 18-degree angle.

    Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia
  2. 80 feet

    The second tower is 80 feet tall and stands at 8,750 feet elevation.

    Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia
  3. 2,353 metres

    The longest span runs 2,353 metres from the second tower to the upper terminal, crossing Domingo Baca Canyon.

    Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia

  4. Two cars operate in opposite directions: one ascends while the other descends.

    Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia

  5. Two 47-ton counterweights tension the support cables at the valley station.

    Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia

History

Preparations took two years before construction began. Passenger service began in 1966.

  1. 1964–1966Swiss Bell Maschinenfabrik AG Kriens built the tramway after two years of preparation. More than 5,000 helicopter trips carried workers and materials to the site.
  2. 1966The tramway began carrying passengers.
  3. 1966–2010It held the title of the world’s longest aerial tram.
  4. 1986The two gondolas were replaced for the tramway’s 20th anniversary.
  5. 1997All the cables were replaced over seven weeks.

Don't miss

  • South Crest Trail #130This 13-mile trail has mixed terrain and views. It starts at the tram summit.Tram summit

How to get there

  • CarThe tramway is at 30 Tramway Rd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Public transportation does not serve the area.
  • BikeThe tramway is reachable by bicycle at 30 Tramway Rd NE. Bicycles cannot ride in the tram cars.

Accessibility

  • Tramway and upper deck areas wheelchair accessible

Sources: Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia · Sandia Peak Tramway · Buy Tram Tickets | Sandia Peak Tramway · Buy Tram Tickets | Sandia Peak Tramway · Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
30 Tramway Rd NE, NM, Albuquerque

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

What is the Sandia Peak Tramway phone number?

Call 505-856-1532.

Does the Sandia Peak Tramway change lines?

No. The tramway runs in a single section.

How fast does the Sandia Peak Tramway travel?

The gondolas travel at about 6 m/s.

What powers the Sandia Peak Tramway?

An electric motor powers the haul rope that pulls the gondolas.

How thick are the Sandia Peak Tramway support cables?

Each support cable is 40 mm thick.

Which national forest permits the Sandia Peak Tramway?

Cibola National Forest.

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