Bikepacking is one of the fastest-growing, most exciting adventures that you can have on two wheels. And Colorado has some hidden gems for those of you looking to get off-road and have a different kind of experience.
Here are bikepacking destinations in Colorado with scenic routes and abundant room for exploration. All of these locations are kid-friendly, with plenty of water sources, camping spots, and campfire access.
Hanging Lake Trail.
Hanging Lake trail is a moderate hike that’s just under 4 miles round trip and full of natural beauty. And if you’re looking for some in-town camping, try taking your bike on the bus to the trailhead and camping for the night (just make sure the backpack you use has a cover to prevent cleaning fees).
Maroon Bells.
Bikepacking has become more popular in recent years, and the Maroon Bells of Colorado is one of the biggest trailhead stops for the sport. The best trail here is the Maroon Bells Loop which has two options: a two-hour hike to see multiple peaks and a campground at the trail’s end or a six-mile loop that takes three hours to complete.
The camping at the top of Maroon Peak and the South Maroon Bells is some of the best on earth, so prepare for paid research paper to camp as an early pioneer.
Valley of the Gods
There are trails for every level of rider or hiker here, so you can relax and go at your own pace. The park is family-friendly, and there’s no camping at the trailhead. Instead, you can take your bike on the bus to Long Lake for a night of slumber beneath the stars.
Mineshaft Park
The site of a historic gold mine and a ghost town, this “park” is actually just several miles of singletrack surrounding the ruins of a gold mine. There are more than 30 miles of trails here, with varying terrain and trails that switch frequently between mountain biking and downhill mountain biking as well as cross-country riding.
Aspen Mountain
It’s 21 miles round trip to the top of the Aspen Mountain bikepacking stop, but when you get there you’ll want to take a break to drink in the stunning views of the entire city and surrounding foothills. Camping is available just off the trailhead, so you can finish the ride with a picnic at the top.
Longs Peak Hike-Bike
Take a leisurely hike to the top of the famous “fourteener” through dense forest and finally out into alpine terrain. From there, you can use your bike as a cart to carry your gear up the mountain or pack them up and leave them as a pack-mule while you ascend.
Verdure Sound
This 1.6-mile loop is a great day trip from the city, but you can also spend the night at the very first camping spot on your route. You’ll have an easy ride back to Golden if you want to leave your bike there or choose to ride back down and pick it up.
Conclusion
Bikepacking is one of the many exciting things you can do on two wheels. Colorado has some of the best ridings in America, and every trail excites another new person that wants to get out and try it.
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