2024’s Albuquerque Jane’s Walks is now less than a month away. Please join us on May 4th and 5th as we explore four of  Albuquerque’s most historic and walkable neighborhoods.

To Register for walk, please click here.

2023 Walk Scene – photo courtesy of Jeffry Hertz

Since 2020, local residents have led curious people on walks around the general Wells Park area for Jane’s Walk. The annual event is named for Jane Jacobs, author of “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” the 1961 critique of 1950s urban planning policy. In the spirit of Jacobs, volunteers lead walks to spark conversations about history, planning and development, and urban life.

The Albuquerque event is part of a global Jane’s Walk effort with hundreds of similar programs in over 200 cities around the world. The celebration runs from May 4 to 5 this year with guided walks in four different downtown Albuquerque neighborhoods with two walks each starting at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Walks are around two miles long and take an hour to 90 minutes to complete. This will give you time to do all four walks.

• Get an in-depth look at the art and architecture along the Mountain Road Arts Corridor in Wells Park on Saturday, May 4 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Walk starts and ends at Julianna Kirwin Studio/Gallery, 1201 8th St NW
• Gain appreciation for early 20th century architecture with a walk through the Fourth Ward Historic District on Saturday, May 4 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Walk starts and ends at Castle Coffee, 727 Tijeras Ave NW
• Explore the history and diversity of Huning Highlands with a walk that includes stops at the Special Collections Public Library and Old Albuquerque High School on Sunday, May 5 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Walk starts and ends at Range Cafe Downtown, 320 Central Ave SE
• Stroll past a variety of homes, apartment complexes, and small businesses in Raynolds Addition on Sunday, May 5 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Walk starts and ends in front of 505 Central Food Hall, 505 Central Ave NW

All walks are free. Registration is strongly recommended as space is limited.

If you can’t join us on May 4th or 5th, please feel free to scroll down to select a map and narrative of one of our previous walks. 2024’s walks will be added after May 5th.

Please contact Danny Korman at @walkalbuquerque or David Ryan at davidryan@msn.com with any questions or suggestions.

Download the Brochure for the 2022 Walks – jw-001

Jane’s Walks are held in over 200 cities worldwide and are named after Jane Jacobs who was a pioneer in protecting urban neighborhoods. Her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, is a classic and was a wakeup call for many to protect and save their neighborhood. Jane’s Walks are volunteer led and are held in early May to celebrate her birthday and urban neighborhoods.

With most of Albuquerque developed after World War II and built for driving, our walks are a refreshing alternative as they go through neighborhoods meant to be walked. Before cars became predominant, houses were built closer to each other, streets were narrower and less circuitous, blocks were shorter, and retail and commercial establishments were oftentimes intermixed with houses. All of this made and still makes it easier to get around on foot. As a bonus, you’ll find that our walks have many surprises that will keep your attention from beginning to end.

Walk # 1 – Mountain Road Arts Corridor (Original Route and still good) walk (2.7 – 3.0 miles long) features the art and architecture along or near Mountain Road. The walk begins and ends near the intersection of 12^th Street and Mountain Road and heads east and will take you through some of Albuquerque’s oldest and nicest neighborhoods near Downtown. Along the way you’ll see wonderful artwork, interesting streets, and the best of neighborhood living. Please click on the link below for a Map and Narrative of the walk.

Walk # 2 – Downtown Core and Barelas walk has been provided to us by Peter Rice of the Downtown Albuquerque News. As the name of the walk states, it features Albuquerque’s Downtown Core and the Barelas neighborhood south of Downtown. Please click on the link below to access a Map and Narrative of the walk.

Walk # 3 – Old Town and the Sawmill District walk (2.3 miles long) picks up from where Walk # 1 ends. Rather than heading east, this walk heads west from the 12^th and Mountain area to include Old Town and the Sawmill District. Like the other walks there will be plenty of artworks and other items to catch your attention. Please click on the link below to access a Map and Narrative of the walk.

Walk # 4 – Troche Moche Walk Around Wells Park (Original Route and still good) walk (2.3 miles long) has been provided to us by Martha Heard, the driving force behind the Wells Park Neighborhood Oral History project. This walk like Walks # 1 and # 3 begins and ends near the intersection of 12^th and Mountain. Rather than going east or west, this walk heads north to explore the Wells Park neighborhood to the north and east of 12^th and Mountain. Please click on the link below to access a Map and Narrative of the walk.

Walk # 5 – Nob Hill Architectural Walk (2.6 miles long) has been provided to us by Steven Justrich, an interior designer and one of the Albuquerque Jane’s Walks organizers. This walk explores the fascinating architecture of Nob Hill and includes the “world famous” Bart Prince spaceship home and studio. Please click on the link below to access a Map and Narrative of the walk.

Walk # 6 – 2023 Mountain Road Arts Corridor Walk Route (2.0 miles long). This route is very similar to original route (Walk # 1) except that it starts at 8th & Mountain and keeps north of Lomas and west of 6th.

Walk # 7 – 2023 Wells Park Troche Moche Walk (2.25 miles long). This route is similar to the original route (Walk # 4) except that it starts at 8th & Mountain.