Aspen Road & Mountain Bike Trails

Aspen and the surrounding area provide spectacular and sometimes quite challenging terrain for mountain and road bikers. Below is a list of trails from easy to difficult rides. Some things to remember: Mechanized vehicles are not allowed within the Wilderness boundaries and this includes Mountain Bikes - keep in mind, three-fourths of the Aspen district is comprised of wilderness area - so use this list below for available rides. For additional information, please call the local Forest Service office at 970-925-3445 or visit the National Forest website. 

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ROADS

Smuggler Mountain Road - Follow Neal Street to King Street to Park Street to Smuggler Mountain Road where the trip begins.  At the fork in the road (approximately 1 ½ miles), take a left.  This will lead into Hunter Valley.

Summer Road - The road that runs up the face of Aspen Mountain.  Biking is allowed on the road only.

Richmond Hill - Starts at the top of Aspen Mountain and runs south along the ridge.  To access this road, take either the Summer Road, the Little Annie Road, or the Midnight Mine Road.  It eventually ends at the Taylor Pass Road.

Midnight Mine Road - Located approximately 2 ½ miles up Castle Creek Road from Hwy 82 on the left.  This road runs up the backside of Aspen Mountain and intersects with Richmond Hill.

Little Annie Road - Located approximately 7 miles up Castle Creek from Hwy 82 on the left.  Runs into the Richmond Hill Road.

Taylor Pass/Express Creek Road - Located approximately 10 ½ miles up Castle Creek  Road from Hwy 82 on the left.  Taylor Pass Road is one of the two ways to ride to Crested Butte from Aspen.

Pearl Pass Road - Take Castle Creek Road to the point where it becomes dirt.  At the intersection, veer right to start the Pearl Pass Road.  This is second of the two ways to ride over to Crested Butte from Aspen.

Lincoln Creek Road - Follow Hwy 82 east from Aspen up Independence Road.  The turnoff for Lincoln Creek Road is 11 miles from Aspen on the right.  The road winds back past the Grizzly Reservoir ending in the ghost of Ruby.

Lenado Road/Kolby Park - Lenado Road begins a short distance northwest of the Woody Creek Tavern. The road leads to the semi-ghost town of Lenado and continues beyond into Kolby Park.

TRAILS

Rio Grande Trail - This trail begins behind the Post Office on Puppy Smith Street.  The first two miles are paved.  The trail then crosses Cemetery Lane becoming a dirt trail at that point.  The trail proceeds northwest to Woody Creek. For more information on this trail and a map please visit Lay Some Tread.

Hunter Creek/Hunter Valley - The trail begins on Lone Pine Road just to the east of the Community Center.  The trail is accessible to mountain bikes only up to the Wilderness Boundary.

Sunnyside Trail - The trail begins on Cemetery Lane.  Follow Cemetery Lane from Hwy 82 where the road crosses the Roaring Fork River.  Approximately ¼ mile beyond this point, you will see the trail beginning on the right.  

Brush Creek/Government Trail - The trail begins behind the tennis courts on Maroon Creek Road.  It crosses Buttermilk Mountain and finishes in Snowmass.  As this trail crosses private property, it is VERY important that bikers stay on the trail only.  Failure to do so could jeopardize future use of this trail.

ROAD BIKING

Ute Ave Trail - This trail begins on Ute Avenue near the Glory Hole Park.  It runs past the Ute Cemetery and the Ute Children's Park, crossing the Roaring Fork River, winding past the Aspen Club, and finishing on Hwy 82 east of Aspen.  (EASIER)

High School Trail - Just west of the Castle Creek bridge on Hwy 82, an underpass access on the right will take you to the south side of Hwy 82.  This trail will take you to Maroon Creek Road and on to the High School.  (EASIER)

Golf Course Trail - The trail begins at the corner of Hwy 82 and Cemetery Lane just west of town.  It winds along the edge of the golf course out to the Aspen Airport Business Center.  (EASIER)

Owl Creek Road - Begins at the intersection of Owl Creek Road and Hwy 82 northwest of Aspen.  Follows Owl Creek Road to Snowmass.  As you approach Snowmass, the bike path ends, diverting bikes back onto the road.  (EASIER)

Highway 82 East (Independence Pass) - Heading east from Aspen on Hwy 82, the road climbs to the top of Independence Pass (12,095 ft.).  The trip to the top is approximately 20 miles, passing the ghost town of Independence on the way.  Please be extremely careful as this road is very narrow and has heavy traffic (car) use in the summer.  (DIFFICULT)

Ashcroft - Follow Hwy 82 west from Aspen.  Go to the round-a-bout and take the Castle Creek Road exit.  Approximately 11 miles up on the left will be the ghost town of Ashcroft.  The road remains paved for about 1 ½ miles beyond that point.  (DIFFICULT)

Maroon Bells - This road begins west of town on Hwy 82 at the second traffic light out of town.  The road takes you a distance of approximately 10 miles to the beautiful Maroon Bells.  (DIFFICULT)