Explore the best rated trails in Crestone, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Monarch Spur Trail and Tunnel Drive Trail . With more than 5 trails covering 13 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.
Nice trail for a walk or bike ride if you have an hour or two. The trail ends at an observation point that extends over the canyon for a nice view of the royal gorge bridge and the river canyon. It is an easy bike ride except for the detour around a collapsed bridge which is more like a single track. If not comfortable riding single track, jump up on the road until the road meets up with the trail on the other side of the bridge. Stay on the trail to avoid flats caused by cactus and sand burrs.
Parking area is easy to miss, look for Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort sign which is at the first big curve south of US-50 highway.
We were in the area to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and this trail was a pleasant surprise! We decided to take a short stroll along the Tunnel Drive Trail and were wowed by the three impressive tunnels blasted through the rock. The overlooks of the Arkansas River and the active train tracks below were also spectacular.
After only one 25-yard moderate incline, enjoy a relatively flat, crushed-granite trail along the Arkansas River. The Royal Gorge Route train tracks run along the Arkansas River below the trail. Very scenic. Very quiet. Family friendly. Two miles in/Two miles out. Three cool tunnels, also! Might see white-water rafters or the Royal Gorge train which runs 3x/day through the gorge. Highly recommend!
Went on this trail after not being on a bike in 13+ years. It was a nice concrete trail with a couple nature signs and benches along the way. I parked at Wal Mart and road down into Salida to the park on the river. On the way back from downtown I had trouble with the slight incline, but that's just a case of not riding a lot. I will definitely be riding this trail more often.
My husband and I really enjoyed this trail. Although it was short, it had quite a bit of variety to it.
We parked at Centennial Park on 8th Avenue and first headed west. The trail passed through an industrial area and then eventually through Griffin Park with its wetlands and cottonwoods ending abruptly at McKenzie Road. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables along this route. We double-backed and decided to check out the connector to the Tunnel Drive trail. There is a crushed-gravel path that leads to the trail but we chose to cycle the lightly-traveled street.
The Tunnel Drive Trail is an easy two-mile trail that runs along a bluff and dead ends. There are three short tunnels blasted out of the rock that you cycle through. The trail overlooks the tracks for the Royal Gorge train and the Arkansas River. Don’t be misled when you first get to the trailhead. There is a very steep uphill, less than a ¼ mile, before reaching the actual trail. We simply walked our bikes up this section and then cycled the flat path. There are benches and a couple of picnic tables along the way. When done, we cycled back to the trailhead at Centennial Path.
The Arkansas Riverwalk Trail and Tunnel Drive Trail are packed, crushed rock with some short sections that are paved. Some areas are a bit sandy. If you just want to do a short ride, I highly recommend the Tunnel Drive Trail. If you time it right, you might even see the Royal Gorge Train passing through.
Variety - Parks, over and under bridges, riverside ride, country side, on you own wide trail/no streets. Easy enough to do with out stopping except that you'll want to not turn down the opportunity to just sit on a bench overlooking the Arkansas River close-up or on a panoramic bank. Level, except for one short steep climb.
Had a nice early morning ride up hill to the west end and coasted back on smooth concrete surface. First in Boating on the Arkansas River (FIB ARK) weekend, with kayak racing and a parade in town. I did not see any trail signs directing one to the other Salida Trails. From 15 Jun 07, Noel Keller
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