Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Colorado, 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.
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I rode this trail on a rented bike on a beautiful late October Sunday in 2024 while in Denver for a conference. I started near the intersection of Sherman Street and Speer Blvd, riding northwest toward the Platte River trail / Confluence Park before turning around and riding out of the city to the southeast. I was very impressed by the trail etiquette of other users: families with strollers, runners, joggers, and all range of cyclists at various speeds. It was a glorious and sunny 60 degree day a few weeks after the season's first snowfall, and traces of snow were still in the shadows under trees. I followed the trail all the way to the Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park before turning around. This trail is wide, smooth, fast, and best of all, has VERY FEW intersections with vehicular traffic. In my opinion, it's the best urban greenway I've ever ridden on. I look forward to someday returning and doing the entire 47 mile route.
The only significant climbs are to the top of the dam, whether clockwise past Massey Draw (links to C-470 Trail) or counterclockwise after crossing Plum Creek. The latter climb is gravel as is a 1.2 mile section on top of the dam. A nice, easy, pretty ride.
We drove 2 hours from Durango to ride this trail and were wanting to ride a round trip of 20+ miles. When we arrived we parked at the state park, which includes a parking fee of $10, and started riding south to Ridgway. Much to my surprise, we arrived after riding only 3.5 miles. We did not ride to the southern trailhead, about four blocks south, due to traffic.
I was surprised by the brevity of the ride so we rode back to the northern trailhead, stopping intermittently to check our map location, and arrived back to the car with only seven miles on my bike computer.
After riding farther than the trailhead I came across two riders and asked if they were locals. They confirmed that they were and I explained our dilemma. When I told them this was listed as a 12+ mile ride they laughed and said that wasn't even close. They did state that you can ride above the lake on a single track, but none of that is on the Traillink map.
Riders beware!! This is not even a quarter of the length listed so plan on a short ride or plan on doing multiple circuits to get in some miles.
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!!
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.
I was happy to see that they finally extended this trail, and added 2 miles from where it meets the Shooks Run trail to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail (at Beacon & Van Buren.), including an underpass at the Nevada crossing. Well done COS!
Midweek ride, not many people on the trail. Beautiful scenery, spots to stop, close to town so you could stop for a meal/drink. Best thing for me was the Botanic Garden. The gate is on the trail. So beautiful!!
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.
Our first experience with our e-bikes. Rode north and south twice it was so nice. Even saw a deer on the path . We should have brought a picnic along if we thought about it earlier. Well maintained and marked, follows the river so not much uphill to get tired over. We were staying in town so just rode to the river and turned right but saw several places to park and access the trail.
This could be the best commuter trail with a little work. City of Colorado Springs: PLEASE build an underpass at Academy Blvd. That crossing is presently dangerous for schoolchildren trying to bike. Please plant more low-water shade trees along this path.
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