Hiking in New Mexico is plentiful, but we’ll bet you had no idea that a hike within one of our state’s most beautiful monuments is home to a bone-chilling legend. While upon this open space hike, you’ll want to look out for a ghost that’s clothed in white, just at sunset. This hike might seem innocent to those who don’t know the history, but legend has it that our White Sands are haunted with tales from long ago, and they don’t seem to be leaving anytime soon.
White Sands National Monument is spectacular and bursting with beauty, but there are a few things you should know before embarking on a hike through the dunes.
foxynurseOxford_NY/TripAdvisor The term “hiking trail” usually invokes an image of dirt paths, but if you’ve ever been to the White Sands National Monument, you’ll know this isn’t your typical hiking trail. This gypsum dunefield is the biggest in the world, and as you hike upon the dunes it can be easy to get lost or overheat. It’s not advised to start a hike when it’s 85 degrees or higher. If you go at sunset, it will be cooler, but you might bump into something paranormal.
Not only is hiking in the vast sands intimidating, there’s a scary legend that is tied to this beautiful monument.
anotherview82/TripAdvisor Legend has it that while hiking upon the dunes, you’ll likely run into the ghost of the Great White Sands: Pavla Blanca.
The story of Pavla Blanca is one of the Southwest’s most interesting, though tragic stories.
Lesley B/TripAdvisor Mañuela was left by her lover, Hernando de Luna, who was a Spanish conquistador in the early 1500s. De Luna left to search uncharted land with a famous explorer. Together they followed every Indian tale to find the Seven Cities of Cibola, where the streets and houses were claimed to be filled with gold and jewels, until they were ambushed by the Apache warriors on the Great White Sands.
Hernando de Luna fought hard, but couldn’t win.
Fer M/TripAdvisor The two Spanish explorers fought tooth and nail, but story has it that de Luna was badly wounded and died somewhere in the Great White Sands, swept away by the ever-changing dunes.
Mañuela set out to find her lover, never to be seen again—until now.
Nicola N/TripAdvisor Many have reported seeing a woman in a white wedding gown, especially just before sunset. Mañuela is now called Pavla Blanca, as many have claimed this figure is caused by a wind sweeping over the vacant desert, but Indians believe this is the ghost of the heartbroken Mañuela. Even to this day, many have claimed to witness the ghost just as the breezes pick up at sunset. Only you can decide who Pavla Blanca truly is.
There are five trains within the White Sand Dunes, but only the bravest go at night or alone.
DeniseYRoss/TripAdvisor The White Sand Dunes National Monument is truly a wonder to be seen, but if you plan on hiking at sunset, it can quickly turn into one of the most haunted trails in New Mexico.
Did you know the story behind the White Sands trails? Will you still hike them at sunset? Let us hear your thoughts on this tale in the comments.
foxynurseOxford_NY/TripAdvisor
The term “hiking trail” usually invokes an image of dirt paths, but if you’ve ever been to the White Sands National Monument, you’ll know this isn’t your typical hiking trail. This gypsum dunefield is the biggest in the world, and as you hike upon the dunes it can be easy to get lost or overheat. It’s not advised to start a hike when it’s 85 degrees or higher. If you go at sunset, it will be cooler, but you might bump into something paranormal.
anotherview82/TripAdvisor
Legend has it that while hiking upon the dunes, you’ll likely run into the ghost of the Great White Sands: Pavla Blanca.
Lesley B/TripAdvisor
Mañuela was left by her lover, Hernando de Luna, who was a Spanish conquistador in the early 1500s. De Luna left to search uncharted land with a famous explorer. Together they followed every Indian tale to find the Seven Cities of Cibola, where the streets and houses were claimed to be filled with gold and jewels, until they were ambushed by the Apache warriors on the Great White Sands.
Fer M/TripAdvisor
The two Spanish explorers fought tooth and nail, but story has it that de Luna was badly wounded and died somewhere in the Great White Sands, swept away by the ever-changing dunes.
Nicola N/TripAdvisor
Many have reported seeing a woman in a white wedding gown, especially just before sunset. Mañuela is now called Pavla Blanca, as many have claimed this figure is caused by a wind sweeping over the vacant desert, but Indians believe this is the ghost of the heartbroken Mañuela. Even to this day, many have claimed to witness the ghost just as the breezes pick up at sunset. Only you can decide who Pavla Blanca truly is.
DeniseYRoss/TripAdvisor
The White Sand Dunes National Monument is truly a wonder to be seen, but if you plan on hiking at sunset, it can quickly turn into one of the most haunted trails in New Mexico.
If you’re still feeling brave, we dare you to drive through this haunted town at night.
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