Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Fort Collins, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_121534_st.jpg)
_104887_st.jpg)
_16126_st.jpg)
The Longmont-to-Boulder Regional Trail (nicknamed the LOBO) extends more than 10 miles between these two major cities and taps into the region's vast network of trails. Most of the pathway has a...
The Poudre River Trail tracks a 21-mile, scenic course along Cache la Poudre River between Windsor and Greeley. The paved trail is popular with hikers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters. The path...
The Loveland Recreation Trail encircles the "Gateway to the Rockies," offering views of the mountains and access to many of Loveland's natural treasures. While the trail is mostly complete, there are...
The Platte River Trail is just one of many of Denver's superb multi-use trails, this one stretching from just north and west of Englewood and heading north toward Henderson. The 28.5-mile trail...
_16126_sc.jpg)
The Union Pacific Trail runs for just a short distance between E. 100th Avenue and Thornton Parkway in the Denver suburb of Thornton. The trail runs through a shadeless corridor alongside a railroad...
_121534_sc.jpg)
Big Dry Creek Trail follows an east-west course for 12 miles between Interstate 25 and Standley Lake in Westminster, one of Denver's northern suburbs. The trail is generally flat, with short stretches...
The Firestone Trail mostly parallels Colorado Boulevard between Dacono in the south and north of Firestone, at the northern end of the trail. The trail is paved and provides access to parks,...
_104887_sc.jpg)
Two unpaved segments of the Great Western Trail are currently open in rural Weld County at the northwestern corner of Colorado's Eastern Plains. Both portions were built on a railbanked Great Western...
The Longmont-to-Boulder Regional Trail (nicknamed the LOBO) extends more than 10 miles between these two major cities and taps into the region's vast network of trails. Most of the pathway has a...
Big Dry Creek Trail follows an east-west course for 12 miles between Interstate 25 and Standley Lake in Westminster, one of Denver's northern suburbs. The trail is generally flat, with short stretches...
Note: Like most of Lyons' parks system, the Corridor Trail has been closed since a devastating flood in September 2013. Work is currently underway to reopen the closed parks and trails. See the city's...
The Switzerland Trail in the peaks west of Boulder was named for the spectacular mountain scenery along this remote and former railroad route. Although why it had to be named after another country...
The Poudre River Trail tracks a 21-mile, scenic course along Cache la Poudre River between Windsor and Greeley. The paved trail is popular with hikers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters. The path...
The Firestone Trail mostly parallels Colorado Boulevard between Dacono in the south and north of Firestone, at the northern end of the trail. The trail is paved and provides access to parks,...
The Loveland Recreation Trail encircles the "Gateway to the Rockies," offering views of the mountains and access to many of Loveland's natural treasures. While the trail is mostly complete, there are...
Two unpaved segments of the Great Western Trail are currently open in rural Weld County at the northwestern corner of Colorado's Eastern Plains. Both portions were built on a railbanked Great Western...
The Fowler Trail is an easy hike in scenic Eldorado Canyon State Park that provides a great place to sight wildlife, watch rock climbers, or take in stunning views of the surrounding canyon....
The Union Pacific Trail runs for just a short distance between E. 100th Avenue and Thornton Parkway in the Denver suburb of Thornton. The trail runs through a shadeless corridor alongside a railroad...
The Platte River Trail is just one of many of Denver's superb multi-use trails, this one stretching from just north and west of Englewood and heading north toward Henderson. The 28.5-mile trail...
The Fowler Trail is an easy hike in scenic Eldorado Canyon State Park that provides a great place to sight wildlife, watch rock climbers, or take in stunning views of the surrounding canyon....
The Switzerland Trail in the peaks west of Boulder was named for the spectacular mountain scenery along this remote and former railroad route. Although why it had to be named after another country...
Two unpaved segments of the Great Western Trail are currently open in rural Weld County at the northwestern corner of Colorado's Eastern Plains. Both portions were built on a railbanked Great Western...
Big Dry Creek Trail follows an east-west course for 12 miles between Interstate 25 and Standley Lake in Westminster, one of Denver's northern suburbs. The trail is generally flat, with short stretches...
The Longmont-to-Boulder Regional Trail (nicknamed the LOBO) extends more than 10 miles between these two major cities and taps into the region's vast network of trails. Most of the pathway has a...
The Platte River Trail is just one of many of Denver's superb multi-use trails, this one stretching from just north and west of Englewood and heading north toward Henderson. The 28.5-mile trail...
Note: Like most of Lyons' parks system, the Corridor Trail has been closed since a devastating flood in September 2013. Work is currently underway to reopen the closed parks and trails. See the city's...
The Union Pacific Trail runs for just a short distance between E. 100th Avenue and Thornton Parkway in the Denver suburb of Thornton. The trail runs through a shadeless corridor alongside a railroad...
The Firestone Trail mostly parallels Colorado Boulevard between Dacono in the south and north of Firestone, at the northern end of the trail. The trail is paved and provides access to parks,...
The Loveland Recreation Trail encircles the "Gateway to the Rockies," offering views of the mountains and access to many of Loveland's natural treasures. While the trail is mostly complete, there are...
The Poudre River Trail tracks a 21-mile, scenic course along Cache la Poudre River between Windsor and Greeley. The paved trail is popular with hikers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters. The path...
Did this trail in 2 sections. First, starting at Hwy 36, I went east all the way to I-25 and back (~14 miles). This section of the trail is wonderful. The new, wide smooth concrete path weaves and rolls following the creek though a surprisingly wide open and pretty green belt. There are wetland and prairie areas where it is possible to see various bird and wildlife. You feel like you are in the middle of a wildlife area for the most part. 5 stars.
From Hwy 36 to the west, the trail is not nearly as good quality as the other direction. To me, it was more convoluted and confusing as it goes close by office buildings, apartments/homes, stores, schools, etc. There are some new concrete sections to go with older areas and the pea gravel section on the climb to Standley Lake. Though there are pretty areas and some wildlife, for the most part, it feels like you are in the middle of suburbia. 3 stars.
Though not overly busy, I encountered other riders, runners, stroller pushers, dog walkers, etc. All seemed to be enjoying themselves!
I started on S Public road in Lafayette. The trail is well marked and a mixture of gravel, small sections of concrete. There were underpasses to avoid major roads. The countryside was pretty, starting out very lush by the creek, then turning more arid from Lafayette to Eire. There are sections of the trail that were washed out, so while biking, care is needed to navigate those sections. There is a good deal of wild life in and around the trail. Watch out for several prairie dog holes right in the middle of the trail. Bring water and some snacks. Overall, I would recommend the trail.
I was a bit skeptical of this trail at first since it starts out quite twisty and winding with a lot of debris from the trees. It also passes a few parking lots but once that’s behind you it starts to get much nicer. There are only a couple of road crossings - the rest you go underneath the bridges with the stream that parallels much of the trail. I did most of the trail on inline skates and it worked out fine.
We bike a portion of the Lake Link Trail just east of Sheridan Boulevard every weekday morning and afternoon to take our daughter to and from her elementary school. We love it! It makes for such a pleasant commute as the trail runs along a pretty creek with tall grasses and trees set amid a quiet residential neighborhood. Here, the trail is paved and well-used by families with young children.
The trail is great from McKay lake to Sagar reservoir, then it changes to a road trail. The western end has steep turns and switchbacks over a gravel trail. Very difficult to follow as the trail markings are inconsistent. Sections of the trail are arid and remote. Bring snacks and water. Look for prairie dogs and other wildlife along the trail. Recommend a cruising bike or a mountain bike with wide tires. The large portions of gravel make it unsuitable for a road bike.
Noticed the only people complaining are runners. There is a nice gravel trail alongside it for much of the time, which I walked and ran for years with my kids in a stroller. We just took our first epic bike ride from Butterfly Pavion to College Hill library, stopping in btw to wade, play in parks, and have tons of fun. Its an awesome trail and not even crowded on a Saturday.
Skated from Greeley to Windsor and back. The trail is very smooth and flat and an easy trip. Bring lots of water though, as I didn't find any along the way. Also beware of cattle grates instead of pavement around milemarker 14. Otherwise A+!
Skated this loop while passing through and really enjoyed it. I went clockwise from the visitor center to take advantage of the steep downhill under the powerlines. Somewhat crowded with pedestrians at times, but the pavement is very nice and so are the views.
Paved trail. Mostly exposed to sun with some shade. Runs right along the river with nice views of mountains. If not from the area, there are local bike shops that rent bikes. In addition, there are restrooms and water fountains on the trail. I felt safe and enjoyed the trail.
The new concrete is great for road bikes, the last section near the reservoir is gravel, but doable to a point. Great ride, not very busy.
With the addition of concrete, this trail is bike accessible without the mud or loose gravel that used to make it hard to navigate at times. There's a newly added gravel path beside it that should work for runners. I've seen a lot more use by baby strollers, bikes, skateboarders and walkers. The best part of Big Dry Creek is no cars and no street crossings involved.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
