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Overview
The Great Western Trail is an unpaved 10.5-mile trail in rural Weld County at the northwestern corner of Colorado's Eastern Plains. Surfaced with crushed-stone, the rail-trail offers a pleasant route through picturesque farmland with scenic view of mountains in the distance.
About the Route
Starting from the southwest end, the route begins at a restored trestle over an irrigation ditch at the northeastern edge of the Town of Windsor, where it links with the city's extensive trail system. This end of the trail is near the town's Village East Park (865 Park Edge Cir, Windsor), which has a playground.
After traveling about 3 miles northeast through acres of farmland, the trail runs through the center of the small Town of Severance.
Heading north out of the town, the trail curves and runs 7.5 miles east through fields and farmland. It passes by several lakes and crosses over Roulard Lake, before coming to its northeast end on Cheyenne Avenue in the Town of Eaton.
Dogs are allowed are the trail and there are pet waste stations along the route. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available at the Eaton Recreation Center (1675 3rd St, Eaton).
The trail is developed and maintained by the Great Western Trail Authority, a local government entity.
Trail History
The trail was built on a railbanked Great Western Railway corridor—hence the trail's name—that carried trainloads of local farms' sugar beets to processing plants from 1905 to 1977.
The Great Western Trail runs between the Windsor Trail System (Windsor) and Cheyenne Ave (Eaton), with parking available near both ends. Access the southwest end of the trail at the northeastern edge of Windsor via the town's #2 Ditch Trail or via the sidewalks that lead from the surrounding residential area.
Parking is available at several locations along the route:
Visit the TrailLink map for detailed directions.
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