Explore the best rated trails in Silver Cliff, 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 14 trails covering 57 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.
We are passing through Colorado and we parked overnight at Lake Pueblo State Park. It was 96 when we arrived. I decided to get up early and take a ride on the river trail. I started about 6:30A. Beautiful ride. I saw 6-7 deer with one on the pathway, about 15 geese floating down river, a whitetail rabbit, and several groundhogs. The path is well kept, but more signs would be helpful. I was a bit surprised to find that the path had stop signs instead of making the automobiles yield. I rode from the Visitor Center to the Nature Center and back.
Loop is a easy one, the only downside was the trash piled almost everywhere.
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.
Easy, walkable. Bit muddy on the south end after rain or snow but peaceful and unexpected trail. We’re renting in the area for a few months and this trail has been a little haven for a morning run, walking the dogs and enjoying birds and mtn views. Playground on the northwest side is in good shape. Trail is mostly flat and doable with small children, someone with limited mobility or starting an exercise program. Typically see people fishing, many, birds, people walking dogs, kids from nearby school.
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.
Beautiful scenery and easy hike! Moderate, 25-TD incline to begin, then very flat.
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!
Amazing trail I highly suggest. First tunnel closed follow the path created to go over the tunnel. Carry bike takes 10 minutes over mountain over few rocks and stream. This is worth it views are amazing. Note when starting trail it’s 1000 feet biking up the trail before you desend on other side totally worth. Take breaks. Tunnels are a little scary it’s not lit so bring mountain bikes flash lights.
The Arkansas River section goes 3 miles beyond what TrailLink shows, and the Fort Creek section adds another 5 miles, all excellent concrete surface. See https://www.pueblo.us/314/Pueblo-River-Trail-System for a nice PDF map.
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.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!