Explore the best rated trails in Silverthorne, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Clear Creek Trail (CO) and Bear Creek Trail (Denver) . With more than 40 trails covering 329 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.
Our family took a springtime bike ride on the southern section of the South Boulder Creek Trail from the Bobolink Trailhead on Baseline Road south to just beyond the US 36 underpass (roughly 3 miles one way). It was a pleasant outing with gorgeous mountain views and rural countryside. We saw a few birds, a couple horses, and lots of cows (including calves). The trail surface was a mix of pavement and crushed stone; both well maintained. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we saw lots of other bikers, joggers, dogwalkers, and families out enjoying the trail.
I have ridden this trail in its entirety hundreds of times in the last 20 years and appreciate some of the widening that has been done in some of high traffic areas. However, over the last year two bridges have been closed, and most recently another section has been closed east of Federal Blvd. One of the detours utilizes bike/pedestrian and is a minor inconvenience. The other two detours route you on side streets and then narrow sidewalks along busy 4 lane roads. If/when these issues are resolver it will go back to being one of my favorite routs, but until then I am avoiding it.
Road from Fraser to Winter park. Parked next to local center. Crossed the street and headed south. It’s a couple of blocks of riding on crosswalk then you hit the trail. Trail is beautiful. It’s like riding in a forest with a river running through it. Very relaxing. Highly recommend. Some nice photo ops.
We begin our ride on the State Highway 93 Trail on its northern end at Golden’s North Table Mountain Park (the park’s West Trailhead). The park is in a beautiful area with other (unpaved) trails to explore. We rode this trail for about 1 mile south to its connection with the Tucker Gulch Trail (near the intersection of Mesa Drive and Joseph Circle) and enjoyed both trails. Although the State Highway 93 Trail parallels the roadway, there’s a nice median in between with native grasses and wildflowers, as well as the occasional wall, so the experience felt safe and pleasant.
We begin the Tucker Gulch Trail on its northwestern end at a connection with the State Highway 93 Trail (near the intersection of Mesa Drive and Joseph Circle in Golden). From there, we headed southeast, through Norman D. Memorial Park, quiet neighborhoods, and scenic natural areas until reaching the Golden Freeway underpass. It was just over a mile of riding and a very pleasant experience.
The path is well paved and smooth. It’s right next to the road the entire time, so it’s too loud.
We only road from the historic park in Dillon to Keystone. I must admit, my favorite section was the small portion that went to Keystone as we were further from highways, closer to the creek and in more shade. 70° in CO feels more like the 80° in TN due to altitude. Breeze off the lake was great and good views Overall, I enjoyed the trail but was amazed at the number of people in both directions. Luckily there was at least one coffee/ sandwich shop open in Keystone. Sorry we missed the bluegrass festival this past weekend.
Rode from MM 0, west to Fox Hollow Golf course. The trail starts in a very urban area, surrounded by many houses and shopping centers. This area the trail is narrow, with some sharp turns. As it goes west it opens up with a wider trail and lots of great scenery. It crosses the Bear Creek trail about 6 times in the first 9 miles. It goes through a park where the trail is surrounded by fields of prairie dogs. The scenery around the golf course is very pretty.
This trail has two personalities, from the east (Frisco) and from the west (Vail). It's delightful from either direction but can be crowded with rental e-bikes in the summer.
If you're travelling from the east many people park at exit 201 on I-70 near W. Main Street in Frisco. There's a free parking lot to the SE of that exit. Biking on the Tenmile Recpath takes you along Tenmile Creek, passed several ponds and small lakes to Copper Mountain village. You croos Hwy. 91, then pedal through Copper Mountain village and continue west out of Copper Mountain village near Copper Road and Beeler Place. The trail then follows West Tenmile Creek to the west, parallel to I70. Now the trail is called the Tenmile Canyon Recreation Trail. You'll climb fairly gently but steadily now to the summit of Vail Pass (10,666 ft.). Note that this approach (from the east) is a more gentle elevation gain than the approach from the west, covered below.
If you wish to ride up Vail Pass from the west you can start in Vail Village, near Gore Creek USFS campground or elsewhere in the Eagle Valley to the west. If you start near the Gore Creek USFS campground there is a new, large parking area about 1/4 mile to the SW of the campground; parking is free. Vail Village is about 8200 ft. elevation so the gain, biking on the trail from the west is about 2400 ft with 4 or 5 pretty steep climbs. If you start from at Gore Creek USFS campground parking area you'll ascend past the campground, through an open gate and will parallel I70. This paved trail is the former Hwy. 6 before they built I70. You'll pedal passed a few small ponds and creeks through pines and firs, eventually descending briefly to Polk Creek; this is an excellent place to stop in the shade next to a rushing creek. You'll continue under I70 and ascend over new sections of trail, still heading up to Vail Pass. You'll come to Black Lakes where there is usually a primitive port-a-potty. After passing Black Lakes you have a little more uphill and then you're at Vail Pass. Some people continue to the east and then climb back up and back to Vail; it's your choice.
Weather: in the late spring and summer, even into early fall it's usually warm and dry. Pack plenty of liquids due to aridity and elevation - there are no stores or sources of water on the trail, except perhaps at Copper Mountain. Most days from last spring to early fall there will be thunder clouds building up in the afternoons but it rarely rains. Bring a rain coat just in case.
In mid-summer there are groups of ebikes that people rent in Frisco or Vail (or nearby) and many of these non-locals have very little idea of the rules of multi-use trails so watch out for them! There are occasionally walkers and dog-walkers on the trail but usually nearer Frisco or nearer Vail only.
You may see deer, elk, bear (not likely in mid-day), eagles, ospreys, marmots and other typical local creatures. While blasting downhill one side of the pass or the other be aware that you can easily reach speeds of 30-50 mph so watch out for the rare animal on the path - it IS possible! Have fun!
Nice trail for a lunch time walk. Not worth commuting to. Walked in early spring so not too green yet. I’m sure it gorgeous during summer!
This path is littered with homeless people! Their tents, clotheslines, and trash line the river and completely destroy what would be a beautiful view of the river. Worse than the bike paths in downtown Denver!!
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