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Trail Day Essentials
Colorado packs more riding into one state than almost anywhere else in the country. Paved greenways run through Denver and Colorado Springs, old railroad grades climb into the high country, and the desert around Fruita has some of the most famous singletrack in the West. With most trails sitting somewhere between 4,500 and 11,000 feet, the views come with thin air.
We’ve grouped the trails below into four regions: Denver and the Front Range, Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, and the Western Slope and Southwest Colorado. Each card lists the trail’s surface, length and type, with a link to the map, directions and the official trail page, so you can pick a ride that fits your bike and your legs.
Colorado Bike Trails Map
All 17 Colorado Bike Trails at a Glance
Sort by any column or search by trail name, county or region. Lengths are in miles; click a trail name to jump to its details.
| Trail | Region | Counties | Length (mi) | Surface | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Regional Trail | Denver & the Front Range | Denver, Arapahoe & Douglas Counties | 47.8 | Concrete, Asphalt, Gravel | Greenway |
| High Line Canal Trail | Denver & the Front Range | Douglas, Arapahoe & Denver Counties | 71 | Crushed Stone, Concrete, Asphalt | Greenway |
| Clear Creek Trail | Denver & the Front Range | Jefferson, Adams & Denver Counties | 24 | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone | Greenway |
| Boulder Creek Path | Denver & the Front Range | Boulder County | 10.6 | Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt | Greenway |
| Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area | Denver & the Front Range | Jefferson County | 60 | Dirt, Decomposed Granite | Mountain Bike |
| Pikes Peak Greenway | Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado | El Paso County | 16 | Concrete, Asphalt | Greenway |
| Red Rock Canyon Open Space | Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado | El Paso County | 15 | Dirt, Rock | Mountain Bike |
| Arkansas River Trail | Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado | Pueblo County | 10.1 | Concrete | Rail-Trail |
| Monarch Crest Trail | Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado | Chaffee & Saguache Counties | 34.6 | Dirt, Rock | Mountain Bike |
| Vail Pass Recreation Path | The Rocky Mountains | Eagle & Summit Counties | 14.8 | Asphalt | Greenway |
| Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail | The Rocky Mountains | Garfield & Eagle Counties | 15.5 | Concrete | Greenway |
| Rio Grande Trail | The Rocky Mountains | Pitkin, Eagle & Garfield Counties | 42 | Asphalt, Gravel | Rail-Trail |
| Mineral Belt Trail | The Rocky Mountains | Lake County | 11.6 | Asphalt | Rail-Trail |
| Kokopelli Loops | Western Slope & Southwest Colorado | Mesa County | 49.5 | Dirt, Slickrock | Mountain Bike |
| 18 Road Trails (North Fruita Desert) | Western Slope & Southwest Colorado | Mesa County | 18.5 | Dirt | Mountain Bike |
| Colorado Riverfront Trail | Western Slope & Southwest Colorado | Mesa County | 28.3 | Asphalt, Concrete | Greenway |
| Animas River Trail | Western Slope & Southwest Colorado | La Plata County | 10.2 | Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel | Rail-Trail |
Denver & the Front Range
Long paved greenways that link Denver’s parks and suburbs, a creekside path through the heart of Boulder and a big singletrack network in the foothills, all within about an hour of downtown. 5 trails.
Cherry Creek Regional Trail
The Cherry Creek Regional Trail is a 47.8-mile greenway that follows Cherry Creek from Confluence Park in downtown Denver, where it meets the South Platte River Trail, south through Glendale, Aurora and Parker to Castlewood Canyon Road near Franktown.
Most of it is a wide concrete path, so it works for road bikes, commuters and families alike. Inside Denver it runs beside the creek below street level, which means very few road crossings, and the rural southern end turns to gravel and dirt as it heads toward Castlewood Canyon.
Trail facts
- Concrete, Asphalt, Gravel
- 47.8 miles
- Greenway
- Denver, Arapahoe & Douglas Counties
- Cycling
High Line Canal Trail
The High Line Canal Trail follows an irrigation canal dug in the 1880s for 71 miles, from Waterton Canyon in the south to Green Valley Ranch, just south of Denver International Airport. Along the way it passes through Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Denver and Aurora.
It’s one of the shadiest rides in the metro area, with big cottonwoods lining much of the route. The southern half is mostly soft gravel, which suits hybrids and gravel bikes, while the northern half is mostly asphalt or concrete.
Trail facts
- Crushed Stone, Concrete, Asphalt
- 71 miles
- Greenway
- Douglas, Arapahoe & Denver Counties
- Cycling
Clear Creek Trail
The Clear Creek Trail runs 24 miles from the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon in Golden down to the South Platte River Trail near Welby, passing through Wheat Ridge and the edge of Arvada on the way.
It’s a gentle downhill if you start in Golden, so many riders head east first and take the long way back. Expect a mix of asphalt, concrete and crushed stone, plenty of parks and ponds along the creek, and an easy stop in downtown Golden at the western end.
Trail facts
- Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
- 24 miles
- Greenway
- Jefferson, Adams & Denver Counties
- Cycling
Boulder Creek Path
The Boulder Creek Path is a 10.6-mile greenway that follows Boulder Creek right through the city, from the mouth of Boulder Canyon on the west side, past downtown and the University of Colorado, out to the east side of town.
Underpasses at the main roads keep it almost entirely car-free, which makes it one of the busiest bike paths in the state. The paved section is easy riding, and at the western end a dirt stretch heads up into Boulder Canyon if you want a climb.
Trail facts
- Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt
- 10.6 miles
- Greenway
- Boulder County
- Cycling
Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area
Buffalo Creek, in the Pike National Forest near Pine, is one of the Front Range’s favorite mountain bike areas, with 60+ miles of singletrack about an hour southwest of Denver. Classic trails include Little Scraggy, Baldy, Sandy Wash and Nice Kitty, and a stretch of the Colorado Trail runs right through it.
The trails are fast, flowing and mostly intermediate, on decomposed granite that drains well after rain but can feel loose in the corners. Much of the area burned in the 1996 Buffalo Creek Fire and the 2002 Hayman Fire, so expect open views and little shade on hot days.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Decomposed Granite
- 60+ miles of singletrack
- Mountain Bike
- Jefferson County
- Mountain biking
Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado
A city greenway in the shadow of Pikes Peak, red-rock singletrack, a riverside rail-trail in Pueblo and one of the state’s classic high-altitude rides along the Continental Divide. 4 trails.
Pikes Peak Greenway
The Pikes Peak Greenway runs about 16 miles through the middle of Colorado Springs, following Monument Creek and Fountain Creek from Woodman Road south to El Pomar Youth Sports Park, where it continues as the Fountain Creek Regional Trail.
It’s part of the Colorado Front Range Trail and is mostly paved, with an eight-foot-wide concrete section through Monument Valley Park and downtown. Pikes Peak is in view for much of the ride, and it’s the easiest way to cross the city by bike without dealing with traffic.
Trail facts
- Concrete, Asphalt
- About 16 miles
- Greenway
- El Paso County
- Cycling
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a 1,470-acre city park on the west side of Colorado Springs, near Manitou Springs, with more than 15 miles of natural-surface trails winding between tall red sandstone fins.
Most of the loops are easy to moderate, which makes it a great place to learn rocky riding, and the bike skills park has features for beginners through advanced riders. For longer rides, the trails connect south to the Intemann Trail and Manitou’s trail system.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Rock
- 15+ miles of trails
- Mountain Bike
- El Paso County
- Mountain biking
Arkansas River Trail
Pueblo’s Arkansas River Trail is a 10.1-mile concrete rail-trail that follows the Arkansas River from Moffat Street near downtown west to Juniper Road in Lake Pueblo State Park.
It’s flat, smooth and easy to follow, with river views and shady picnic spots along the way. Ride it all the way west and you can add more miles on the roads and trails around Lake Pueblo.
Trail facts
- Concrete
- 10.1 miles
- Rail-Trail
- Pueblo County
- Cycling
Monarch Crest Trail
The Monarch Crest Trail is one of Colorado’s bucket-list rides. It starts at Monarch Pass, above 11,300 feet, and follows the Continental Divide before dropping toward Poncha Springs and Salida. The classic Crest to Silver Creek to Rainbow Trail route is 34.6 miles, and most of it is downhill.
It’s rated advanced, with high altitude, rocky descents and fast-changing weather, so start early and pack a rain jacket. Almost everyone shuttles it, with shuttles running from Salida and Poncha Springs, and shorter exits via Fooses Creek, Green’s Creek or Agate Creek cut the ride to 11–17 miles.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Rock
- 34.6 miles point to point
- Mountain Bike
- Chaffee & Saguache Counties
- Mountain biking
The Rocky Mountains
Paved paths over a mountain pass and through a deep river canyon, a 42-mile rail-trail between Aspen and Glenwood Springs and a loop around the highest incorporated city in the country. 4 trails.
Vail Pass Recreation Path
The Vail Pass Recreation Path is a 14.8-mile paved path that climbs from East Vail over Vail Pass, at about 10,600 feet, and drops down to Copper Mountain, where it links up with the Tenmile Canyon path to Frisco and Breckenridge.
It’s part of the Vail Pass–Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail. Though it follows the I-70 corridor, the path is separated from traffic and runs through forest and along Black Gore Creek. The climb from Vail is steep in places, so many riders shuttle to the top and enjoy a long coast down.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 14.8 miles
- Greenway
- Eagle & Summit Counties
- Cycling
Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail
The Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail runs 15.5 miles through one of Colorado’s most dramatic canyons, following the Colorado River from Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs east through Glenwood Canyon toward Gypsum.
The concrete path sits right beside the river, with canyon walls towering overhead, and rest areas such as Grizzly Creek make good places to stop. The trail usually closes in winter and can close when the river runs high in spring, so check conditions before you go.
Trail facts
- Concrete
- 15.5 miles
- Greenway
- Garfield & Eagle Counties
- Cycling
Rio Grande Trail
The Rio Grande Trail is a 42-mile rail-trail on the former Aspen Branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, running down the Roaring Fork Valley from Herron Park in Aspen to Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs.
Because it follows an old rail grade, it’s a steady, gentle descent if you start in Aspen, through Woody Creek, Basalt and Carbondale. Most of it is paved, with a gravel stretch near Woody Creek, and the valley’s RFTA buses carry bikes, so you can ride one way and bus back.
Trail facts
- Asphalt, Gravel
- 42 miles
- Rail-Trail
- Pitkin, Eagle & Garfield Counties
- Cycling
Mineral Belt Trail
The Mineral Belt Trail is an 11.6-mile paved loop around Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States at just over 10,000 feet. It follows old railroad grades through the town’s historic mining district, past headframes and old mine buildings.
Expect gentle climbs and big views of Mount Massive and Mount Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak. Interpretive signs tell the story of the mining boom along the way, and in winter the loop is groomed for snow sports.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 11.6-mile loop
- Rail-Trail
- Lake County
- Cycling
Western Slope & Southwest Colorado
Desert singletrack above the Colorado River, the flowy trails that made Fruita famous and two easy river paths in Grand Junction and Durango. 4 trails.
Kokopelli Loops
The Kokopelli Loops, just off I-70 at Loma, west of Fruita, are a stacked network of about 50 miles of desert singletrack in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, with big views over the Colorado River.
Rustler’s Loop is a 4-mile beginner loop, Mary’s Loop (about 9 miles) is the intermediate classic, and Horsethief Bench adds a short, technical drop-in. Experts head for Moore Fun and Troy Built. Bring plenty of water, as there’s almost no shade.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Slickrock
- About 50 miles of singletrack
- Mountain Bike
- Mesa County
- Mountain biking
18 Road Trails (North Fruita Desert)
The 18 Road trails sit at the base of the Book Cliffs, about seven miles north of Fruita, and they’re a big reason riders come to the area. The core network adds up to roughly 18.5 miles of flowy singletrack full of rollers, berms and table-top jumps.
Prime Cut is the easy climb, Chutes and Ladders and Joe’s Ridge mix in short, punchy rollers, and Zippety Do Dah is the famous ridgeline ride for confident riders. The North Fruita Desert Campground sits right at the trailhead, so you can roll out of your tent and onto the dirt.
Trail facts
- Dirt
- About 18.5 miles
- Mountain Bike
- Mesa County
- Mountain biking
Colorado Riverfront Trail
The Colorado Riverfront Trail follows the Colorado River for 28.3 miles through the Grand Valley, linking Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade with a paved path that’s mostly flat.
It passes riverside parks such as Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction, with the cliffs of Colorado National Monument in view to the west. Start or finish in Palisade and you can add a ride past the orchards and vineyards of Colorado’s wine country.
Trail facts
- Asphalt, Concrete
- 28.3 miles
- Greenway
- Mesa County
- Cycling
Animas River Trail
The Animas River Trail is Durango’s main bike path, running about 10.2 miles along the Animas River right through town, from Oxbow Park and Preserve on the north side to Dallabetta Park in the south.
It’s mostly paved, with a few gravel sections, and links riverside parks with downtown Durango. You’ll often see rafters and kayakers on the river, and it’s an easy way to get around town by bike between rides on Durango’s singletrack.
Trail facts
- Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel
- 10.2 miles
- Rail-Trail
- La Plata County
- Cycling
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Gear For The Long Miles
Looking For New Trails To Conquer?
Explore our state-by-state trail guides – distances, surfaces, maps and directions for paved rail-trails and dirt singletrack alike.
