Explore the best rated trails in Pitkin, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Monarch Spur Trail and Mineral Belt Trail . With more than 11 trails covering 79 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.
For those rail trail enthusiasts who prefer consistent crushed gravel, this trail offers that for a bit. Close to Slate River it turns to big rocks and tree ruts. Definitely a mountain bike trail not a rail trail.
This is a great trail for all! It’s paved and there are some side trails. You can take if you want a mountain bike. I would definitely start the trail clockwise. You can park at the Family Dollar. My friends and I rented bikes and packed lunches. Because of so much history along the way it took us 3 1/2 hours to do 12 miles.
We parked at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs. You can access the start of the trail within the park. It is 13 miles to Carbondale where you can have lunch right on the trail at Dos Gringos Burritos. So a nice 26 mile round trip. It doesn't look like it but it is a very gentle uphill grade on the way to Carbondale and an easy downhill glide back to the park. You are somewhat along the river part of the way and thru rolling ranch land. and some along the road. Not much shade. Lots of stuff to look at - beautiful homes along the river/cemetary (I like them)/big tree farm/hayfields. All in all a really nice ride.
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!!
A unique experience on a scenic trail. We loaded the bikes on the front of the RFTA bus and rode 1 1/2 hour t from Glenwood Springs to Aspen for $3. Biked a gentle decline for 40 miles with great views along the Roaring Fork River. This trail should be in the hall of fame. Buses were running about every 20 minutes, can load bikes after 7am, and no e-bikes. You can get latest on the bus at the Glenwood Springs visitors center.
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 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.
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 .
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