Colorado Mountain Biking Guide

• Mountain Colorado - Descriptions, maps and photos of Colorado trails. "Future enhancements will include GPS maps." We're waiting.
• Boulder Off-Road Alliance
• Colorado Mountain Biker
• Colorado Mountain Biking Trails
• Colorado Mountain Bike Trail Search
• Mountain Bike Colorado
• Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
• Mountain Biking in Colorado
• Off-Road Biking in Colorado
• Teton Mountain Bike Tours
• Statewide
  • "TrailCentral.com" Colorado Trails
  • Colorado Mountain Biking
  • Local trails from
    dirtworld.com,
    MTBR,
    Trails.com
  • "The Colorado Guide" statewide trail directory (for all trail uses)
  • Colorado's State Parks (several of which have mountain biking trails)
  • Per Löwdin illustrates a visit to several local mountain biking areas
  • Greg Thomas describes several local trails (primarily in the Denver area)
  • Fat-tire touring in Colorado (article from Outside Online)
  • Jonathan Byrd's photos from various parts of the state
  • A report on several riding areas (by Helen Priest & Jonny Waghorn)
• The Front Range Cycling page describes several rides near Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo
• Steamboat Springs area
  • Mountain biking at the Steamboat Ski Resort
  • Mountain biking in Steamboat Springs (from Outside Online)
  • Several rides in the Routt National Forest
• Boulder-Denver area
  • Apex Park, Golden
  • Sections of the Colorado Trail near Denver
  • The Devil's Thumb Park Loop (west of Denver)
  • The Jackson Creek Loop (Douglas County, southwest of Sedalia)
  • The Jefferson Creek and Red Cone Trails (Park County)
  • The Red Mesa Loop and Strawberry Jack Trail (Jefferson County)
• Mountain biking at the Winter Park resort
• Tommy Goggia illustrates a visit to Winter Park and Mount Evans
• The Meadow Mountain loop (Eagle County, northeast of Minturn)
• Mountain biking at the Beaver Creek resort
• Vail area
  • The 10th Mountain hut system (in the mountains near Vail)
  • Two articles from Outside Online:
    • July 14, 1995
    • July 3, 1996
• Photos of mountain biking at Searle Pass (near Dillon)
• Leadville: Mountain biking around Twin Lakes
• Chaffee County (Salida, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs)
  • Central Colorado Mountain Bike Guide
  • The Midland Railroad Trail (near Buena Vista)
  • Maps of trails in theArkansas River Valley
  • The Monarch Crest trail near Salida
• Grand Junction/Fruita area
  • The Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA), including some local trails
  • Grand Valley trail conditions
  • Dave Luke describes a guided MTB tour from Grand Junction to Moab, Utah
  • "Kokopelli's trail" (between Grand Junction and Moab, Utah)
    • COPMOBA's page
    • An article (with map) (from Cyberwest magazine)
    • Another article (from altrec.com)
  • An article about the Kokopelli, Tabeguache, and Paradox trails
  • Fruita Singletrack, including a trail of the month and the annual "Fat Tire Festival"
  • "LoDij's" photos of mountain biking in Grand Junction and Fruita
  • "The Edge" loop (See also this article)
  • Peter Fagerlin illustrates trips to Fruita in 2001 and 2002 (photos and video clips)
  • Red Rock Riders
  • Bent Bike Dust club, Whitewater
• Colorado Springs
  • The Rampart Trail (east of Woodland Park)
  • The Cheyenne Canyon ride
  • Palmer Park
• Crested Butte
  • Frank's Blog has a great list of trails
  • Information about several local trails (from the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame)
  • Fat-tire rides in Crested Butte (from Outside Online)
  • Tommy Goggia illustrates a visit here
  • Deadman Pass trail
  • Trail 403 (See also this additional article)
  • The Paradise Divide Loop
  • The Pearl Pass ride (between Crested Butte and Aspen)
  • An illustrated visit to Crested Butte and Monarch Pass (from "2fortheroad.net")
• Telluride
  • The Deep Creek Trail
• Durango
  • Southwest Colorado Trails Guide
  • More on mountain biking near Durango
  • Lime Creek Road, north of Purgatory
  • The Telegraph Trails
  • The Dry Fork loop
  • The Hermosa Creek Trail
  • The annual Red Bull Divide & Conquer multi-sport event
• Mountain biking in the Rio Grande National Forest (southwestern Colorado)
• Biking to the Wheeler Geologic Area (near Creede)

Jefferson County Open Space has a great variety of trails, and is where I do almost all of my riding!. This excellent page has maps and trail descriptions.

ecosports.com is a new site that has trails of every sort, including mountain biking, for the Vail Valley. The site is way too fluffy, but it works.

Colorado has thousands of miles of old jeep trails and former mining roads offering countless possibilities for intrepid bikers. Biking is allowed on national forest land but is strictly prohibited (along with motorized vehicular traffic) in wilderness areas. Some hiking trails allow bikes but be sure to check with the proper land managing agency before entering unfamiliar territory.

What follows is a select few trails just to whet your appetite for what Colorado really has to offer in the way of world-class outdoor recreation. Enjoy the reading and maybe we'll see you here soon.

Alpine Loop - Lake City

This 65 mile loop linking Lake City, Ouray and Silverton is a high altitude ride on mostly dirt roads and includes traversing Cinnamon and Engineer Passes, both over 12,000 feet.

Argentine Pass - Arapaho National Forest

Trail leading to 13,132 foot Argentine Pass for expert mountain bikers only. From Keystone take Montezuma Road 4.5 miles to Peru Gulch Trailhead. Follow Peru Gulch Trail for about 6 miles, then follow signs to Argentine Pass. Very rough, very steep terrain.

Bear Lake Road - Rocky Mountain National Park

This heavy use road for intermediate level bikers climbs 10 miles (and 1500 feet) to Bear Lake. Wildlife viewing, scenic overlooks.

Breckenridge - Summit County

More than 200 miles of off-road trails. Ride the Superchair at Peak 8 to the top. From there, Peaks Trail winds along the eastern edge of the 10 Mile Range to the base. The portion of the Colorado Trail near Breck is an epic 26 mile loop. Follow Tiger Road out of town, go right at the first fork, head to Middle Fork at the next junction, then look for the trail on your left!

Cherry Creek Bikeways - Cherry Creek SRA

This 8 mile network of trails around Cherry Creek Reservoir is very popular among joggers as well as bikers. Bike rental is available nearby.

Colorado State Forest - Gould

Colorado’s only state forest also sports 112 miles of gravel and dirt roads making up a bike trail system. Mountains, lakes, forest, backcountry scenery.

Colorado Trail - Kassler

This trail passes through public and private lands, mostly at or near timberline, on various terrains. Contact the Colorado Trail Foundation for more details.

Crested Butte Trails - Crested Butte

With over 50 designated routes accomodating every skill level, this is a major mountain biking mecca of Colorado.

Dolores River Canyon - Dove Creek

26 mile marked route on an abandoned jeep trail. Immediately south of Dove Creek turn east and follow the Public Lands Access signs to river and parking areas. As several river crossings are necessary, call BLM Dolores Hot Line at 970-882-7600 for flow information before attempting this trip.

Ft. Collins Tour de Fort - Ft. Collins

56 miles of designated bikeways, trails, lanes, and routes, some exclusively for bikes. Contact the Ft. Collins Chamber of Commerce for a pocket guide to the system.

Garfield Trail - San Isabel National Forest

This scenic trail for the beginning mountain biker follows an abandoned spur of the Denver and Rio Grande Western RR. The grade rises at a steady 4% for the duration of the 3.8 mile trail which deadends at private property just east of Cree Creek.

Glenwood Canyon Bike Path - White River National Forest

This trail begins at the vapor cave east of the Hot Springs Pool in Glenwood Springs. The trail follows an old frontage road and crosses I-70 via a steep, short pathway. A short gravel switchback drops the trail to the Colorado River. When complete, the trail will extend the length of the canyon, some 20 miles.

Great Parks South Bicycle Route - Steamboat Springs

This 665 mile route begins in Steamboat Springs and winds through Rocky Mountain National Park, Georgetown, Montrose and Durango, crossing numerous mountain passes and wide valleys (parks) along the way. For more information contact: Bikecentennial, PO Box 8308, Missoula, MT 59807.

Hahn’s Peak Lake/Nipple Peak Loop - Routt National Forest

This trail may require technical riding skills as it features steep climbs and descents on rocky, sandy soils. Follow FR 487 to TR 1156, ride west about 3 miles to TR 1147. Continue on TR 1147 to Summit Creek Guard Station and beyond, back to FR 129 and Hahn’s Peak Lake turnoff. 21 miles roundtrip.

Hoosier Pass - Breckenridge

Follow State Route 9 on switchbacked, sometimes rough pavement for an elevation gain of 1900 feet in 11 miles as you climb to the summit of Hoosier Pass in the Arapaho National Forest.

Kannah Creek Trail - Grand Mesa National Forest

This 11.8 mile trail follows Kannah Creek from the forest boundary to Carson Lake, passing several maller lakes among the aspens and spruces.

Keystone - Summit County

Loaded with over 150 miles of awesome singletrack, lift access trails, a freeride park, and downhill trails, it's worth checking out. Let It Ride and Suz's Cruise are two favorites along with the new downhill trail: Motorhead (presumeably without the umlauts). Follow the West Ridge Loop of Keystone Gulch Road for six miles of great singletrack on the Colorado Trail.

Kokopelli's Trail - Fruita

The first leg in the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail System. This 128 mile trip to Moab, Utah, winds through desert canyons and sagebrush prairies along the Colorado River. Segment difficulties range from easy to strenuous.

Manitou Park Bike Trail - Pike National Forest

From Woodland Park go north on State Route 67 for 6 miles to the South Meadows Campground. Park outside the campground entrance. This popular trail runs for 2 miles along State Route 67 and offers views of the Manitou Park area.

Maroon Creek Road - Aspen

Head north out of Aspen on State Route 82 for 1 mile, then turn left onto Maroon Creek Road. This heavy use route climbs 1000 feet in 9 miles to end at Maroon Lake with views of Pyramid Peak (14,018 feet) and the Maroon Bells.

Mesa Verde Loop - Mesa Verde National Park

This bike tour starts at the park entrance with a steady climb for 4 miles to the Far View Visitor Center. There are 2 routes available from here with spectacular views and access to Anasazi sites. Check at the entrance station for more details, some areas are seasonally accessible.

Peaks Trail - Frisco

This 9 mile route connects Frisco and Breckenridge along the Tenmile Range.The trailhead in Frisco is at the intersection of I-70 and Main Street. Proceed south and turn right onto Rainbow Lake Road. The trail leads on past the lake and eventually into the Breckenridge Ski Area.

Rim Rock Drive - Colorado National Monument

This 35 mile loop travels along Rim Rock Drive through the monument and then continues along State Route 340 to Grand Junction and back. Smooth pavement, excellent touring route, 2,300 foot in elevation gain.

Rollins Pass - East Portal

This route follows an abandoned railroad bed from East Portal 15 miles to the summit of 11,671 foot Rollins Pass. Spectacular views.

Schofield Pass - Marble

Very strenuous 30 mile trail from Marble to Crested Butte over 10,707 foot pass via narrow, rough and often dangerous roads. Heavy snowpack until late spring.

Snowmass - near Aspen

Snowmass has tons of miles if interconnecting trails including 25 miles withing the Snowmass Village borders. The Government Trail is known as the best. Access it from the Burlingame lift (free rides from 1 July to 5 September!), or ride to it up Wood Road to Elk Creek Road. At the trail junction, choose from a ride heading east over the aspen covered slopes, or west for more challenging hills and wildflowers. Both are out-and-back, but there are some loop options. Next, try out the Rim Trail that departs from the village and switchbacks up to the rim, accessing more great riding at the top. Check out wildernet's "find a ride" at aspensnowmass.com/summer_rec/biking.cfm

Tabeguache Trail - Olathe

This route travels 142 miles through canyons, mesas and highlands of the Uncompaghre Plateau. Extension of the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail System. Difficulty ranges from easy to advanced. Many 4x4 roads provide access to shorter segments of the trail.

Trail Ridge Road - Rocky Mountain National Park

This very strenuous trip of 48 miles is recommended for experienced high altitude bikers only. The road climbs to alpine tundra and travels along the Continental Divide. Scenic pullouts and overlooks, Alpine Visitor Center near the top.

Transamerica Bicycle Trail - Walden

Part of a 4,300 mile trail that begins in Astoria, Oregon and ends in York, Virginia. Colorado section starts at state line on State Route 125 and goes through Kremmling, Dillon, Pueblo, Ordway, and leaves the state along State Route 96 near Towner.

Winter Park Mountain Bike Trail System - Winter Park

600+ miles of designated trails, eight major loop arteries, thousands of backcountry roads, this is what makes the Winter Park aea a haven for bikers. Contact the active local group Winter Park FATS for more information. Trails to try include:

• the Long Trail that winds up from the base through aspens and evergreens and beautiful views of Frasier Valley
• Upper Roof of the Rockies is another ride with great views that climbs to 11,000 feet
• Tipperary and Spruce Creek is another great choice. Follow highway 40 to County Road 5 to County Road 50 to the Tipperary trailhead. The trail winds up through mountain meadows then down to RD160 from where you can take other trails or head back.