Favorite Fall Bike Rides in Colorado
The Rocky Mountains turn a golden hue in the fall, and one of the best ways to experience autumn in Colorado is via bike. And you don’t have to do any hardcore downhill mountain biking to enjoy the scenery. There are a number of fabulous bike paths for those who’d rather cruise than bump along.
Here are three river trails in the Colorado Rockies that will have you hopping off your bike to snap fantastic fall photos.
YAMPA RIVER CORE TRAIL
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The 7.5 mile Yampa River Core Trail links Steamboat Resort with downtown Steamboat Springs. It’s entirely paved and crisscrosses the Yampa River a number of times, providing scenic views at any time of year, but it’s especially beautiful in the fall.
Don’t miss the Yampa River Botanic Park; the entrance is right off of the trail. It’s a stunning garden that I discovered this summer. I’d still be taking photos there if my husband hadn’t dragged me away. The Yampa River Botanic Park is open through October 31.
For additional information on biking in Steamboat Springs visit SteamboatBikeTown.com.
ANIMAS RIVER TRAIL
Durango, Colorado
The Animas River Trail is a paved path that follows the Animas River for seven miles through Durango’s Animas River Greenway. When we biked the trail we hopped on the trail downtown and then pedaled towards Animas City Park where we turned around and rode the entire length of the trail to where it dead ends near River Road across from Dellabetta Park. See a map of the entire Animas River Trail here.
It’s fun to detour off the trail at the BODO Industrial Park to visit Ska Brewing for an ice cold beer on their patio or drop by the Animas Brewing Company, located right next to the trail near downtown.
To learn more about biking is available in Durango visit Durango.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Winter Park/Fraser Chamber
FRASER RIVER TRAIL
Winter Park/Fraser, Colorado
The Fraser River Trail is the only partially paved trail on this list, but the unpaved parts are well-kept. The entire Fraser River Trail is 11.55 miles and has an elevation gain of 772 feet. It runs between Winter Park Resort and the town of Fraser.
We biked the “southern loop,” which is the easiest section of trail because has very little elevation gain. This section links Fraser and downtown Winter Park.
There are more than 600 miles of bike friendly trails in the Winter Park area, so whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll find the perfect trail at MtbCapitalUSA.com.
