Osha Trail Reviews

Didn't do the whole loop as I had already been hiking elsewhere that day. Just wanted to check it out. The trail was uphill most of the way but not too bad. Has some pretty big rocks so watch your step. Saw a couple blue jays. Tried quite a while to get a pic. Nope. They did not cooperate at all. Continued to a spot with a couple benches that overlooked the trestle which was cool. It was kind of hazy but could see down to town and white sand dunes in the distance. That was where I stopped and went back to the parking lot.

This trail has great views into the Tularosa basin and parts of route 82, coming into Cloudcroft. There are several benches along the way for those who would like to rest during this hike. Taking a bottle of water along to keep hydrated is suggested, as there is no water available along the trail. There is camping available in the pines campgrounds, a short distance from one part of the hike and there are restrooms at the campground.

Good view of the sand dunes but besides that didn't see anything that great. Good exercise because a lot of uphill.

This trail is good for first time mountain biking. The family and I can't wait to go again. If you don't bike than go for a walk or a hike. It even has rest stops on the way. Doggies love it too.

The trail is about a 3 mile loop that climbs and descends a beautiful scenery. The trail goes through various terrain including rocky parts and lush, deciduous forests. Perfect for families but if you are planning to hike leisurely and take breaks, best to plan 2 hours to take it all in.

Just strenuous and remote enough to feel like you're actually hiking, but short enough (2.2 miles) and manageble enough with 2 kids (7 and 9). Great views of the Trestle and White Sands.

This hike is pretty flat so i think a lot of people may enjoy it even on a hot day. The hike we did took over 3.5 hrs so needless to say we got to explore the forest (aka we were sort of lost at least in terms of this trail): and there are a lot of good wide hiking trails and many of them are vehicle accessible so you can camp, grill, etc.
There is a lot of shade from the trees so our dogs loved it too.

We stopped by this just to stretch our legs a little after driving a few hours. It's well worth going out of your way a little, Easy hiking and beautiful view of the mountains at the top.

We hiked this yesterday with 2 teenagers and had a great time. Because of the recent snow there were long stretches of icy/muddy trails, but it was passable. Hiking boots are a must for the next few days.

We made our first ever trip to Cloudcroft New Mexico for our 26th anniversary! My husband and I loved the OSHA trail and its views! It was perfect in the sense that it wasn't too long nor too short! It had some nice elevation and beautiful views. You could even see as far as White Sands National park! We enjoyed seeing some fall foliage and meandering through the forest trails. The trail was not busy as we only saw one other lady who kept looking for her husband. I wonder if she ever found him? When I was doing my research on TripAdvisor, I kept having a hard time deciding about hiking the OSHA trail versus the Mexican Canyon trestle trail. I'm glad we decided to hike the OSHA trail and drive to the Overlook to see the historic Canyon Trestle! Hope these tips have helped you :-)

Nice hiking trail.....supposedly it is roughly 2.5 miles long if you do the entire loop....but it seems longer (which is not a bad thing). If you do not want to do the whole thing, you can do the jeep trail walk over to the campground, and back....this is a very flat, easy walk.

Convenient area for parking at the trail entrance...located on the edge of town...well marked and beautiful.

Take water and be prepared to go up and down, and of course a big loop! Saw birds, but no other wildlife. Pretty meadows and a little waterfall....plenty of places to rest to catch your breath and see the famous trestle from the overlooks. Approximately 2.2 miles and great for an afternoon.

One of my favorite trails to go to so we can cool down from Alamogordo. But, there are bears! we typically do the loop. The trail is nicely groomed. The place can get pretty crowded!

We really enjoyed walking this trail. It's so beautiful & peaceful. There are some sections that are uphill but I would think most people would be able to handle. We live at 95 feet above sea level & waited to hike for 2 days so we could be adjusted to altitude. We saw 5 deer on the trail. The trail is very well marked.

If you are on US82, a stop at the Mexican Trestle overlook/information site is a must! But if you have the time, it is well-worth spending more time and parking at the spur trail in Cloudcroft. This is a developed trail meant to accommodate numerous users, but we were restricted from going too far by the presence of snow/ice on the North-facing trestle observation trail. The bold cut through rock for the train made for great walking, and the reconstructed (albeit closed) train depot was outstanding, as were views off to White Sands/Tularosa Valley. We'll be returning, when it's warmer and the snow/ice won't prevent us from hiking all around! I highly recommend this exquisite trail area!

Nice trail - pretty rocky in spots - hard-packed dirt paths otherwise (unless it rained then a bit muddy in spots). I went counterclockwise - either way it’s up and down and back up. Some flowers blooming and one scenic overlook. Nice hike to shake out the legs from the 5 hour drive up from Bisbee, AZ.

Lots of annoying picture posing at trail beginning. Go up a 1/4 mile for views. Hike is at high elevation so may be challenging for some. Lots of unleashed dogs and dog crap.
Pretty trail in spots but heavily used. Icy and steep, we both fell. Use crampons. There are better trails with less crowds and litter.

We read previous reviews of this trail and decided it would be ok to take our 4 year old daughter. Some of the other reviews rate this trail as easy, I disagree. The trail is nice, but goes up and down over some fairly rocky path. If you do take a child, he or she should be able to make it over lots of rocks without twisting an ankle. Take layers to stay warm as most of the trail is well shaded by trees. I would not recommend this trail for anyone with weak knees or ankles. The rocks really strain joints. The whole trail is about 3 mi. long.

For a family with three teens that rather spend time on electronics, this trail provided enough challenge to keep them engaged and whining was at a minimum.
The trail is offers a couple of breathtaking vistas and a wonderful valley almost three quarters of the way in where respite is necessary before heading up to the end of the loop.
Work the time spent huffing and puffing in the altitude.

This time in Cloudcroft, we hiked a bit of the Rim Trail. According to National Forest information, this trail is 31.2 miles long, but there is a piece that is less than 1 mile that is just for hiking, not motorized vehicles. We picked up the trail at Slide Campground (which was closed), but there is trail access, and walked towards Cloudcroft and back. To get to the trail head (next to Slide Campground) from Cloudcroft, one takes NM 130 about 2 miles and turns right onto NM6563 (a.k.a., Sunspot Scenic By-Way). One goes less than 1000ft on NM6563 and there is a turn off for Slide Campground. But one needs to park on the slight indentation in the road, as right now the campground is closed--a gate bars the entrance.This part of the trail is a gentle downhill walk. One doesn't realize it is downhill until one turns around and hikes back to the car. It is rather open, with good footing. Tall fir and aspen trees line the trail and give occasional shade. The rustling of the aspen leaves when the wind blows is very pleasant, as are the occasional bird calls. There is another trail head near Cloudcroft, but we didn't find it. In that case, one hikes from Cloudcroft towards Slide Campground.

This trail, different from the Rim Trail, is located just before you enter Cloudcroft on Rt. 82, when driving from Alamogordo. The turn off to the right is just after the Mexican Trestle viewpoint (on the left). There's lots of parking. Not too far in and a bit of an uphill climb, which is apparently too far for some folks not in very good physical condition, one comes to a wonderful spot looking out over the Tularosa Basin and White Sands. There are two benches there for viewing. If one walks further, one eventually gets to a branching point, where the loop part of trail starts.We only walked a bit of that and turned around. On the Forest Service map, the entire trail is listed as 2.2 miles.

Anyone who has traveled in the Mountain West knows that altitude sickness can totally ruin a trip that is supposed to be relaxing. If you visit Cloudcroft, walking the OSHA trail is a good way to help you get acclimated to Cloudcroft's 8600+ feet of elevation.

My wife and I walked the OSHA trail one morning early in our three day stay in Cloudcroft. The trail is a well-marked loop (you can't get lost, I promise!) and does not have those challenging aerobic climbs that many people dislike. Although the scenery is not stunning on the trail, it is wooded, mostly flat, and you can see some beautiful wildflowers and birds.

Slow down, relax, listen to Stellar's jay call through the quaking Aspens, and enjoy yourself on this trail.

Beautiful views of the Mexican trestle bridge and White Sands. Lots of elevation changes, some benches at scenic overlooks, not a bad hike, but probably too intense for novices. Were able to take the dog, but were concerned for distracting wildlife on some of the narrow elevated trails. Saw Deer, and a coyote. Heard what we thought was an Elk.
Pack water, chapstick as the air is thin.

Drive up hwy 82 just past the railroad trestle and the trail head is on the left. Great views at sunset.

We only went part way on this hike, but the tree colors were beautiful! We went as far as being able to see the trestle bridge. Just beautiful!

A little over 2 mile hike. Rocky in some places. There are some uphill sections. There are two or three benches along the trail. Pretty hike with some nice views. Very well used, you will see other people especially on weekends. Plenty of parking at Trailhead.

Good distance and beautiful sights. Make sure you pack water and a snack for this trail. The weather can change quickly and it is good to be prepared even for a medium hike.

Nice trail. Go left first for views back of the town and the dunes. Otherwise, a pleasant hike through the trees.

This is a great trail to walk on a fall day. At the start of the trail, you even have benches to sit down on. A little steep in the beginning but levels off.

This a very nice trail. It has some moderately difficult parts but on the whole is moderate difficulty.

This is a good option for hiking in the winter. Great views all along the trail. There were still some snowfields across parts of the trail in late February.

This was a great trail with plenty of benches for resting and a good amount of places to stop and look out over all the mountains.

Gorgeous views and nice trail. This is a great place for those that are new to hiking. They have benches for you, If you need to rest.

Hike covered over two miles. Maples were beautiful red! Aspens were quaking and gorgeous yellow! You go up 300 feet of elevation and then back down 300 feet. Great views including the railroad trestle that carried timber down the. Mountain. So quiet on the trail!

We hiked a few trails in Cloudcroft and we liked this one best. It's fairly easy to hike and the scenery is really nice. If you are pressed for time, do this one first so you don't miss out.

This trail is rather well-traveled, but there are still sections where you can walk for quite a ways without encountering another human. This trail is a nice sampler of the various looks the terrain offers if you don't have time for the joys of the longer trails.

You get some amazing views of the White Sands basin beyond Alamogordo, some intimate alpine forest hiking, some long stretches with views of the valleys and ridges nearby, and relatively secure and close parking to the trail heads. The visitor center is also on this trail, and it offers a wealth of information and resources on the area and the other trails.

A great family hike. Easy to access and picnic tables are available. Grab your dog and your kids and enjoy nature. Especially breathtaking in the Fall at Sunset.

This is an easy to find, fun trail for the entire family. I've done this 2.2 mile trail with a child in a carrier, and also with her walking as a very young walker. The trail is wide, and is even open to horseback riding (so watch where you step). There are a few cute picture spots on the trail, especially one area with a cute handmade bench. For a map, check out: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lincoln/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=34384&actid=51

This was a really great trail with awesome views. Beautiful meadow at about midway through the hike. Kids had a lot of fun. Our kids range in age from 9-16.

This is a good trail if you are looking for something short and easy or if you wanted a nice hike, but we're strapped for time.

vey nice short trail within walking distance from cloudcroft hotel, we hike mid morning and still scared up 2 elk and 5 mule deer

Good beginner trail for new hikers, or those unaccustomed to the elevation. Not my most favorite hike, fairly short. Parking located just west of town.

The views were wonderful throughout the trail and a few stops a little off-trail to partake in geocaching. It's a little disconcerting to cross the highway to access one of the trail heads; but, well worth the trip to Lincoln National Park!

I love to go up to Cloudcroft and enjoy the mountains. This trail is great to just get away for a short time. There's no side trails so getting to and from is very easy...easy enough for my 5 year old to go with me and enjoy. The only downside for me is theres no restroom, not even a port o potty near the trail but there is like 4-5 picnic tables right at the entrance...overall a great couple mile hike right before town.

After 4 or 5 years of trying, we finally did our "loop". In the past we always got rained out. Wish they had better signage. I always think I'm lost. Great views of White Sands!

The trailhead for the Osha Trail is just a couple of blocks west of Cloudcroft on Hwy. 82. A 1/2 mile access trail leads to the 2 1/2 mile loop. Recommend taking the loop clockwise as you get through the uphill part faster that way. There are some nice views of the Mexican Canyon, old train trestle, and distant views of White Sands and the San Andres Mountains. Farther on you descend into a canyon which eventually opens into a nice open meadow. The next leg of the journey is a rather steep ascent up to an old road which connects to the last leg of the Osha loop, then back down the access trail to the parking area. If you're there at the right time of year there are a lot of nice wildflowers along the path including osha for which the trail is named.

Let me start by saying we did NOT hike the entire trail due to the threat of rain. The 1.5 miles we hiked, however, were pretty easy and very peaceful. Lots of shade and nice scenery. Hope to go back and check out the rest of it.

One of the short hikes in Cloudcroft with some amazing views to White Sands and San Andres Mountain range. Beautiful in the fall with the red maple trees.

This was the first trail that I had ever hiked in my life, and it was a great first experience, years later I still come back to this one. The trails are kept up very nicely and free of any obstruction. The trails themselves are pretty moderate and are pretty straightforward. This is a great trail for those looking for an escape in nature and great views.

My daughter and I hiked this trail in late June, and though it is short, it is well worth it! The scenery is lovely, and there are numerous benches along the trail so you can sit down and enjoy the views. The trail winds mostly through forest, so the ground is dappled with sunlight and the temperature is comfortable. In places, there are clearings on one or both sides of the trail, and there we encountered waves of butterflies softly moving around the flowers. It was surreal in its beauty. Toward the end of the trail, at another bench, we watched a territory dispute between a couple of ravens that was quite comical. The trail itself is not a difficult hike at all. The most strenuous part is right at the beginning, as it rises away from the road rather quickly. But after that initial rise, the trail is largely flat as it winds through the forest. The benches are nice (although one of them is too high from the ground for many people to comfortably get on), and it is awesome to see the view from the various rest stops. One overlooks the Mexican Canyon Trestle, and at another you can catch a glimpse of White Sands. This is a terrific hike that you will find very enjoyable!

The trail itself is very well maintained but the signage is NOT. We very nearly got lost at a critical turn. Take your map! And be advised the spur to the trail is 1/2 mile, and that is not counted in the loop count. Experienced hikers probably know that but we did not.

This trail was awsome , we had lunch out there from the Pizza Brewrey. We had a great time and will be back soon .

This is a really nice trail with awesome views and it is not too long. The only two reasons it gets 4/5 is that it is poorly marked in one place and we saw a bear close to the trail once. Just get a map from the ranger station and stay on the trail and it is a great hike!

Easy hike. Took the whole family out (grandma and aunties), and every one made it! Bring a backpack w/a few bottles of water and you'll be fine. Took us about 2hrs to hike.

We hiked a 2.5 mile loop on the Osha trail starting from the trail head right outside Cloudcroft. We also hiked the Trestle Trail the previous day, and I think I liked this one better. They're both great trails for a short hike, though.

The air is thin up here. Take your time, but the view is worth the struggle. Nice walking path & beautiful views. Benches are placed where you can rest & enjoy the view. Peace...be still!

I took this trail from the USFS Pines campgrounds straight into town. It's only about a mile as the crow flies that way. The Lincoln forest is beautiful in this part of New Mexico. The section I walked didn't change elevation which suited this old man. There is a network of other trails off this one so plenty of paths to explore.

Cloudcroft is one of the most beautiful spots in NM. It is remote, so be prepared for that but the trail is lovely.

After a long journey through the desert a couple of years ago, two nights spent in Cloudcroft were very special! We enjoyed the Osha Trail very much, it was a sunny day and the mountains were covered in fluffy snow. But we had to turn back because a snow storm began:)
Hope to return to this beautiful place some day and complete the trail :)

This was a great place for a hike! We hit it in the morning and it was fairly unpopulated (passed only two other groups the whole time). The maps say this trail is about 2.2 miles, but it is actually closer to 3 due to some re-routing they have done. Even with these changes, it is generally flat the majority of the time. There are about two pretty big climbs that will get you winded for about a minute, but nothing compared to most "moderate" trails out there! SPECTACULAR VIEWS!!!!!! We saw so much wildlife and enjoyed our time on Osha Trail.

We started around 3:30 and finished around 5:30 taking a short snack break about midway. You will encounter other hikers most likely. The hike was fairly easy and scenic.

Family weekend getaway to cloudcroft. We our enjoyed the hike on this trail. The scenery was beautiful. Enjoyed being able to stop at the benches to rest and take in the views. The trail needs better signs and would be nice to know where you are located. My spouse decided to continue on while I waited at the bench with our son. Due to a lack of signs he ventured off on the wrong path and ended up in the camp site on the other side of town. He then had to walk back through town to meet back at the beginning of the trail.

This is an easy hike to get a sampling of the Lincoln National Forest. It is very pretty in the fall when the aspens and maples have turned color or a relief from heat hike for folks who live at lower elevations.

Nice easy trail ! very nice views !
now with a new parking lot at the bottom start point, if your looking for a nice little hike then you should try the Osha Trail !

The park rangers say its an easy trail but it is a lot longer than it looks on the map... it goes up and down alot along the mountains... and a little confusing when it overlaps another trail for a short distance... loose rocks so wear good hiking boots as I wore training shoes and had to be careful not to turn any ankles. Still, this has a great view if you start out towards the west... I would suggest you do a U turn after you see the beautiful view of White Sands to the west and you can probably make it back in less than 1 hour where if you go the entire route you're probably looking at over 2 hours. still, very beautiful and very close to Cloudcroft.

wonderful place to go for a short hike, The Trail head is just outside of Cloudcroft, NM on Hwy 82. there are benches along the trail were you can stop for a rest and enjoy the awesome view of the White Sands. or the meadow where I have seen several deer enjoying the green grass., In the spring wild flowers are blooming and if you look you can also find wild strawberries. In the fall the Aspen are aglow. Not far from the Osha Trail is the Mexican Train trestle trail, well worth the time to check out

This hike is a nice moderate trail with a great view right at the beginning, we saw a lot of deer and birds. During October, the maples are glorious and the weather was perfect. Moderately difficult, some steep climbing and uneven terrain, about 3 miles round trip. Good signs along the trail, helpful as it meets up with other trails.

I hiked this with my 20yo who thought it was easy but I’ve had knee surgery and felt like we needed a trail I could handle. I was perfect for that. 3 miles was just the right length. It’s a bit rocky in places but good amounts of shade and a nice view of white sands. In July we still saw lots of wildflowers. Go to the left if you would rather handle the rocky sections going downhill. Morning is best. If you take your dog, it must be leased. Please pick up up after your dog and take out your trash. We picked up a water bottle and candy wrapper, but mostly it was a clean trail. Great teaching opportunity. Good trail for all ages

We hit this trail on a day trip to Cloudcroft from El Paso. It was about an hour at a fast walk, but had to slow down for wet, rocky, slippery, snowy terrain. Hiking poles would have helped us feel more steady on our feet. Would recommend using the Alltrails app to make sure you don't get off the trail. A quick little hike with some pretty views and friendly hikers along the path. Just what we needed!

Easy climb for beautiful views. Only did .5 miles on it though since we ran into fresh bear poop so turned around earlier than expected.

This is a great beginner/intermediate hike. About 3 mile round trip on a well marked and maintained trail. There are some areas where there is an incline but nothing too horrible. There are also some parts of the trail with lots of loose rocks or tree roots but you just have to go slow. Great forest scenery which is rare for those of us that are desert rats. Another plus is you are a short drive from the village of cloudcroft where you can go for dinner after your hike.

We did hike the trail but found it to be quite muddy and slippery from the last snowfall. The walk was serene but we felt it coul dhave been better marked. We walked about 1 mile in and then turned around. Supposedly a loop but did not feel comfortable trying to do it since it was not marked.

This is a beautiful 3 mile hike from the parking area. It is rocky and uphill in parts but mostly a lovely walk along the perimeter of the Lincoln National Forest above Cloudcroft. It was cloudy when we began and then we got caught in hail! It lasted not too long and definitely added to the adventure. Dogs are welcome on leashes and our golden mix loved it. Take the turnoff and go for a hike!

I'd read a description of this trail online that rated it as "easy", and maybe it is if you'r 25 and fit. I'm 55 and a little couch-potato-y and I found it a tough slog in places--some steep stretches, and the altitude didn't help. That said, it's really a very pretty hike, with great views of White Sands and the old railroad trestle. If you're not in great shape, just be aware and take your time.

This is a great place to cool off when the heat gets up there. Several paths to choose from. Great old growth forests and very pristine. The signage could use an upgrade, but no real need.

This is a fantastic place to go wether you are walking, running or just going on a picnic! If you are looking for a trail in Cloudcroft this is the i e I would suggest!

This is a nice trail with beautiful high altitude forest. Ponderosa pines, Aspen, White and Douglas firs mixed in with oaks and a good variety of understory shrubs. A fair amount of flowers too. Birds are also present including the pretty Stellar's Jays. My only complaint was the dog poop we encountered more than once while on the section of the trail closest to the parking lot. We saw people walking their dog. The section closer to the parking lot is also noisy due to the car traffic.
It is a nice trail so I would return.

Ok. In all fairness my family would not rate this as high I’m going to. Everyone agreed that this was the trail we would do. Apparently I said we didn’t have to do all of it and then I proceeded to insist that we all keep going at every turn. Oops. About 1/2 mile from parking lot are some benches that provide you a seat with an excellent view. If you don’t have the appropriate goods for a hike- stop there and turn around. Had I done that my people would have been much happier with me. We pressed on and turned a 30 minute hike to one that was closer to two hours. You will see lots of stunning scenery on the way. But if your family is cheesed you’ll spend your time apologizing and not taking it all in. All that said- this trail is worth your time. Just do it.

An extremely nice hike on a well maintained trail. Went on the OSHA Trail twice during our stay in Cloudcroft; first with my wife and our two small dogs one afternoon, and after about half a mile, they were huffing and puffing so we retraced our steps to the trailhead. Age & high altitude don't always mix well. The second attempt was early morning and I went alone. The easily followed trail is well marked with signage at junctions, and the trail was well maintained. The only spots where I had to be cautious were on the few up and down hill stretches, where recent rains had washed out some of the soil on the trail, leaving some loose rocks to deal with. I encountered a herd of 18-20 elk along the trail which certainly added to my enjoyment. The key for me was to slow down, not rush and whenever I felt winded, to sit down on one of the many benches scattered along the trail. There are overlooks for the Mexican Canyon Trestle and for White Sands/San Andres Mountains. A very nice hike, but don't get in a hurry if you aren't used to the altitude.

Where we stayed over night told us about this trail. We have 2 small kids and this is the perfect trail for a family. There was some snow on the trail so it was hard in spots but everyone ahd fun.

Great trail, not very difficult as far as inclines, declines - just a very rocky trail - take care when walking. Not great in my opinion for kids, dogs, or people with balance issues. Great views!

This trail had been recommended to us and we stopped by the trailhead driving between White Sands National Monument and Ruidoso. White we opted not to actually hike the trail because of the snow going up there was well worth it just seeing the beautiful area.

We hiked a portion of the Osha Trail early one morning, and were treated to a lovely early morning rainbow. The trail is rocky which can make hiking slippery after recent rains. The views are wonderful. We had hoped to see deer and elk on this trail - we had been told that they were visible in the early morning - but we must not have been early enough. Our suggestion: find out when sunrise will be and arrive well before that time.

The OSHA Trail is a great trail right before you enter the main area of Cloudcroft. It is a 2.5 mile loop and can be categorized as easy to moderate. Given we did the hike in February there were a handful of snow/icy spots, but nothing we could not manage. We even spotted a New Mexico Mule Deer galloping along. We followed up the hike with a drive into town and replenishment at Black Bear Coffee. And if you go try the Iron Crumble cookies, they are GF and fantastic.

The Osha Trail was a peaceful and relaxing hike. When we went it was partly cloudy and there was a slight breeze, so it felt really nice! We even saw a deer. There is a slight incline but it wasn't too hard. Overall a wonderful trail!

Great hike! Lots to see. This place is very special. We will definitely consider Visiting this area again

Great trail with beautiful wildflowers in the summer , trees and wonderful views of the Cloudcroft area and tularosa basin

We asked at the gas station for a nice trail that we could walk with our dog. They recommended the Osha Trail. What a beautiful area this is. The entrance is just outside of town past the medical center. Nice parking lot with picnic tables to sit at. I highly recommend this trail for outdoor adventurers of any age.

My two young teens and I hiked this trail a few days ago and we were surprised about the gorgeous view. My kids usually bore with these things but they too were intrigued with the beauty from this trail.

First off, go to the ranger station for the Sacremento region of the Lincoln Natl Forest. Its maybe 1 mile away from cloudcroft. Get informed so you can understand your choices. lots of beautiful forest here.
The OSHA trail was easy and a touch muddy. Wonderfully cool in July! Lots of places to stop and rest. Lots of butterflies. No man eating bears to report.

The parking lot at the trailhead is just outside the town of Cloudcroft. It's about a 2.5 mile loop through the forest. The trail is pretty well marked. There are areas with loose rock and tree roots so take your time and wear good shoes. We were there just after a rain so a few spots on the trail were muddy and a little slippery. There are inclines and descents so if you aren't in shape you may do some huffing and puffing. If you are in shape it will be fairly easy for you. It is over 8000 feet in elevation so it would be good if you could stay a day or two nearby to acclimate to the altitude before you hike. Take and drink water. There are some benches at various points that are nice to take a break and enjoy the forest. There are some really nice views along the trail and we found it to be a very enjoyable hike. It took us just under two hours to do the loop with several stops to enjoy the scenery. There are some areas along the trail that would be nice for a picnic. We passed several other hikers, many with dogs. I would do it again.

This was an easy and pleasant walk, obviously quite popular, as we encountered several other people. Took us about an hour, some nice views at the start, interesting information throughout the walk, an easy hike for the whole family!

Shorter loop just outside Cloudcroft... A few short hills...great Vistas. You may park at the trailhead off hiway 82... Or...connect to the trail thru back streets from the Village.

Spur trails branch off to National forest campgrounds.

Great looping route!

Easy trail neat Cloudcroft. The trail has very good views and the walk through the forest is a real pleasure.

The Chamber of Commerce turned us on to this trail and it was all that it was said to be. Has enough hills to keep it a little but of a challenge but most of the path is easy. The highlight is a very pretty meadow about mid-way through the hike. This is a fun little excursion to see the beauty of the forest.

We ignored the weather forecast and hiked anyway. We got rained on, hailed on and the lightening was unnerving. Nonetheless, we had a great time and it is a beautiful trail. Highly recommend for anyone. Not a difficult trail at all.

Our family doesn't do much hiking, but it's something we can do during the pandemic. Osha Trail was right up our alley - not too challenging but still got us breathing hard. Enjoyed the views, nature and the wildlife! Easy to navigate, well-marked, wide enough for multiple people to walk next to each other a lot of the time. There were four of us: two parents in their 50s, a 21-year-old and an 18-year-old. We are overall pretty fit but, as I said, we don't hike regularly so this was the perfect distance; took us under two hours to walk to the trail and do the loop. Great beginner-level trail!

The trail was perfect for beginners to medium level hikers. When we went in March there was a lot of mud due to the snow melting but we still had a great time and so did our dog!

We enjoyed hiking through the forest. If you are somewhat in shape the trail would be quite easy to do. Some great views of the trestle and the White Sands in the distance. The smells of the forest are amazing. Would do this hike again and again.

Osha gives you a taste for what the area has to offer. The trail is easy to follow. There are some areas that require hiking uphill and steady footing. The views of the valley are beautiful anytime of year, even winter. This trail goes through forest and opens up to a small meadow about half way through (my favorite part) Benches are scattered along the trail to stop and enjoy nature or to catch a breath. The trail may be accessed from the parking lot at the trail-head or from town.

great trail. great parking spots at the trail head. views of white sands from part of the trail. beautiful in the fall.

The view was amazing on this trail. You can see white sands and the tressel bridge all in one picture. The hike wasn’t too bad. There were a couple of rocky places and narrow places. It’s worth it though. The signs were a little hard to follow towards the end. We missed the sign to go back to the parking lot but a nice man helped us find our way out.

We had a hike to Lucas Canyon on our plans, but the snow and ice did not permitted us to get to the trailhead, so Plan B was Osha Trail. Wow,,, it is so much fun to hike this trail specialty when there is snow. Even though its a little short distance than what we are used to,because we do 7-10 mile hikes, hiking in snow makes it heavier and you get tired easier. If you are in Cloudcroft and there is snow on the ground , I recommend this trail, its a lot of fun. Good hiking!!!!

I took my parents for their 45 anniversary to Cloudcroft and we took the Osha Trail hike. It was beautiful! It was a little harder for my mom due to the elevation and length of the trail. I think it's about 4 miles if you do the whole loop so take water for sure! It does have places to sit, but we stopped at more places and just sat on trees stumps. Really nice trail though.

Beautiful gently climbing trail with a number of scenic overlooks. Did the trail with my small dog and she had no problems navigating it.

We did both the Osha Trail and the Trestle Trail, both in several inches of snow. We did the Trestle on a sunny day and it had amazing views. It was a little longer and more challenging than the Osha. We did the Osha trail on a dreary snowy day so we didn't get to see all the views. But the trees were absolutely beautiful along the way.

The first part of the trail is probably the most difficult as it is about a 30 degree climb from the parking lot before it levels off. Be aware there are rocks on the trail that can roll right out from under your foot. I almost fell. Having a walking stick is a good idea just to help. The views are wonderful when the trail opens out near Hwy 82. You can see the Mexican Canyon Trestle overlook as well as White Sands. There are several benches for rest. Be sure to take plenty of water with you. You will enjoy your hike.

This trail is very easy. It's well maintained, roughly 2.5 miles and offers some stunning views. It's also dog friendly! After hiking dog canyon earlier that day we went up to Cloudcroft to get away from the heat; this trail was perfect for us after lunch and after already being tired from a 6 mile hike earlier. Just be aware that if you're a serious hiker or want something more rigorous this isn't it. I do recommend it though! We saw several families with small children who all looked to be enjoying the hike.

This was a perfect hike for us. Minimal elevation gain and beautiful views all the way.. especially at sunset. Benches here and there to enjoy the views too! Didn't have time to hike the whole trail as the sun had set and I didn't want to hike in the dark but it seemed like it would continue along the ridge overlooking White Sands.

Nice trail at the western edge of Cloudcroft. If you go west on the trail, there are two benches available to view an overlook of the forest, train trestle and White Sands in the distance. The trail itself is nice w several people and their dogs walking it. At the halfway point, it could be better marked but a fellow hiker gave me directions back to the parking lot. I would recommend it.

Great autumn leaves to see. This hike is good for all ages. Plenty of parking. Can take a loop back into town for snacks.

Absolutely amazing little trail. My 7 year old daughter truly enjoyed hiking it. Bring some water and a snack or two,it took us about 2 hours to complete it.

Nice hike within walking distance of downtown Cloudcroft. Nice view of the Tularosa Basin and the White Sands on a clear day.

I hiked this trail with my husband and 9 year old daughter. Difficulty is fairly easy with only a moderate incline. We didn't see many animals along the trail, but there was plenty to see in the way of plants, trees, and insects. Overall, a very pretty trail with great scenery.

This is a nice trail close to town. We hiked midday on Memorial Day weekend and while there were several other small groups of people along the trail, it was not unusually crowded and those we passed were very courteous. The highlights of the first part of the trail are the views stretching to White Sands and beyond. The highlights of the second half of the trail are less dramatic but still special. The trail follows a grassy wash as it climbs back toward the trailhead. The wildflowers, including wild iris and columbine, were numerous. The grassy wash opens into a meadow just before climbing the hillside back toward the trailhead. There is a bench there that would be the perfect place to sit early in the morning with a thermos of tea and just enjoy being in the world.