Explore the best rated trails in Crested Butte, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Atkinson Canal Trail and Mineral Belt Trail . With more than 13 trails covering 100 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This was a fabulous ride! We took the train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, biked to our overnight accommodations then shuttled to Aspen in the morning. VelociRFTA L or BRT allows bikes (eBikes < 60 lbs allowed) after 7a. 2-3 bikes per bus, first come, first served. Shuttle to Aspen $5 w/bike, seniors free. ~90 min to Aspen. Breakfasted in Aspen, then set out on spectacular fall-colored, 42mi ride. If you only have 30mi in you do Aspen>Carbondale, the last 12mi are not particularly memorable.
Great hike with a nice easy incline. Fantastic views!!
This is a beautiful ride along the Colorado River. Most of the trail you are just a few feet from the river. With the wind today we could experience some spray from the river. Fun to watch the the Rocky Mountaineer train pass on the other side of the river. NOTE: Currently the trail is closed from Shoshone Plant to the west, due to high water.
April 26!!! We heard the prettiest part of the Rio Grande Trail was from Carbondale down to Aspen. Unfortunately about 3 miles out of Carbondale the trail had a gate and was closed seasonally from Dec 1 through April 30 with detour sign that routes you through El Jebel and Basalt, approx 4 miles!! Several of those detour roads were very heavy traffic and not near as pleasant as the trail!! So RIDER BEWARE Dec 1 - April 30
My wife and I rode this today. Beautiful weather, perfect temperature. Gorgeous ride from Glenwood Springs up the canyon. Mild uphill grade for 12 miles (1540 elevation climb). Coming back you can almost coast all the way. This is my favorite ride now.
My wife and I rented bikes from Cycles of Life in Leadville Co. My wife rented an E bike and I rented a Gravel bike. Both bikes were excellent bikes. The Gravel bike was a carbon Fiber Niner RLT 1x (almost $6 k bike!). The shop also had excellent service with bike instructions and directions to the trail. Anyway, we rode the trail clockwise going up for about 6 miles then back down. The trail was macadam the whole way and very scenic views and many historic mining sites along the way. My wife appreciated the E bike as our total ascent from the shop was about 800 ft for the ride. I loved the ride and not many trail users.
We rode 16 miles up, with 950’ elevation gain, then 16 back down, and thoroughly enjoyed the easy ride next to the enchanting Colorado River. The canyon changed character as we rode. It was spectacular. We saw dozens of rafters engaging the rapids, along with calmer stretches. While it was fun being next to (and under) I-70, a few times the traffic noise was distracting. We enjoyed our time in Glenwood Springs in this Western Slope of Colorado, and recommend this trail, and the Rio Grande.
This became one of our top ten trails around the country. We got on the RFTA bus in Glenwood Springs at the 27th Street bus stop for a 75 minute ride up to Aspen, with our bikes on the front bike holders. After exploring Aspen town, the ride down (mostly level valleys and 1% to 2% downhills) was an nice four-hour rail-trail ride covering 42 miles. Loved it!
My friend Mary and I do this ride every summer. In the fall with the aspens turning can’t be missed. The long way up is worth the ride down. Not steep, just an even ride up. Feel free to stop and read history signs and just look around you. C Cravens
My husband and I took the Amtrak to Glenwood Springs with our bikes and a back pack. The ride from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale on day 1 scenery was fair to good. A gradual approx 16 mi ascent to Carbondale. No water on this stretch and feels like dessert riding so be prepared. Left for Aspen early the next morning. This is beautiful and moderate to strenuous riding. You rarely stop pedaling and will encounter a few switchbacks. We stopped at Woody Creek for lunch. Nice place to have a drink and a little nourishment. You do have to leave the trail onto woody creek road or you will miss it. There is a very short stretch of gravel/ dirt we handled fine with our road bikes. If I could do it over we would take the RFTA to Aspen and ride all downhill to be able enjoy the beauty more .
Rode the loop with my wife many years ago and we enjoyed it greatly. Maybe it's time to return.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
