Mountain Biking

In the Pikes Peak Region

Mountain biking in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado offers an exhilarating and diverse experience for riders of all skill levels. With its breathtaking landscapes and challenging terrain, this area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure on two wheels. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the region boasts an extensive network of trails that wind through lush forests, rocky slopes, and high alpine meadows. From adrenaline-pumping downhill descents to epic cross-country routes, mountain bikers can explore a wide range of options, each providing unique vistas and thrilling riding opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned rider looking for technical challenges or a beginner seeking a scenic pedal through nature, the Pikes Peak Region promises an unforgettable mountain biking experience with its stunning natural beauty and a trail system that caters to all levels of riders.

Getting Started

The Pikes Peak region offers a range of experiences for mountain bikers from novice to expert. Within an hour’s drive from Colorado Springs, the area offers over 480 trails covering 500 miles of mountain biking opportunities. From in-town parks, to National Forest access, to open space areas, mountain bikers can find the challenge they need to get their adrenaline rush.

With a little exploration, riders can find a level of technical challenge to suit their needs. Whether heading north, west, south or staying in Colorado Springs, mountain bikers will find terrain with a range of features to provide the right challenge.

Pro Tip

A great starting point to explore the region is the Trailforks resource. You can start with this link for the Colorado Springs region and then narrow to specific areas.

Be Prepared

Riders should be prepared for different situations depending on weather and season. Local areas are affected differently by precipitation; for instance, wet conditions in granite-heavy Cheyenne Canyon actually make riding easier whereas rain in Palmer Park with its hard-pack clay and sandstone rock makes riding trickier and causes damage to the trail.

 

 

 

Be sure to pack
  • Water Bottle
  • Helmet
  • Sunscreen
  • Layers

Outdoor Ethics for Mountain Biking

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are reprinted with the permission of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more information, visit www.LNT.org.

Gear & Services

Rentals

Classes

Guided Adventures

Featured Places to Explore

Curated trails & experiences

Intermediate Red Rocks Loop

7 mile moderately popular intermediate route- Trail recommended by COSMBA 

Santa Fe Regional Trail

VERY Beginner friendly trail! Start at Woodman Road going North through the Air Force Academy

Daniels Pass/ Captain Jacks

Route includes Cheyenne Canon including new Sweetwater trails and descent of Captain Jacks.

Woodland Park to Rampart Reservoir Loop

A more off the beaten path route! Explore incredible scenery with this loop!

“Best Of” Palmer Park

Enjoy 11.5 miles through the amazing Palmer Park, in central Colorado Springs This trail is used for the Pikes Peak APEX Time Trial and showcases the…

North Cheyenne Canon

North Cheyenne Cañon Park is located on the southwest side of Colorado Springs.  North Cheyenne Cañon Park is cut 1,000-feet deep into the 1.5 billion-year-old granite rock. This…
Picnic AreasPublic Parks

More Biking Activities

More Information

Colorado Springs Parks and Open Spaces

Colorado Springs boasts 311 miles covered by 335 trails.

 Featured Places

Palmer Park

With 63 trails covering 25 miles of terrain, Palmer Park is an urban oasis for mountain bikers. 19 of the trails are black diamonds, so riders need to be forewarned that they may get to some terrain that is more challenging than anticipated. Access Info: Off of Academy Boulevard and Maizeland. From Paseo Road. From Austin Bluffs Boulevard.

https://www.trailforks.com/region/palmer-park/

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

A former landfill turned city open space in 2003, Red Rock Canyon Open Space features beautiful red sandstone hogbacks throughout, trails from flow to chunky exposed rock. 52 trails and 35 miles over mostly intermediate terrain. Access info: Off of Highway 24 and Ridge Road or Highway 24 and 31st street.

https://www.trailforks.com/region/red-rock-canyon-open-space/

Ute Valley Park

Ute Valley Park offers 31 trails covering 17 miles of cross-country track, mainly intermediate. Access Info: Parking is available on Vindicator Drive or Rusina Road.

Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/region/ute-valley-park/

Blodgett Peak Open Space

Blodgett Peak Open Space is a 167 acre property located at the foot of the Front Range, the property has outstanding views of Colorado Springs to the east and Blodgett Peak (9,426′ Ft) to the northwest. The property is also bordered on three sides by the Pike National Forest. Access Info: Blodgett Peak Open Space trailhead / parking lot (on the west side of Woodman Rd) 3945 W Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

https://www.trailforks.com/region/blodgett-peak-open-space/

North Cheyenne Cañon

41 miles of trails heading up from city property into Pike National Forest. A mix of technical and loose, decomposed granite with options for large loops up to Jones Park.

https://www.trailforks.com/region/north-cheyenne-canon/

 Cheyenne Mountain State Park

21 miles of mostly cross country trails, you’ll need a park pass for entry to the parking lot.

https://www.trailforks.com/region/cheyenne-mountain-state-park/

Stratton Open Space

Fun singletrack network leading up onto Gold Camp Road and Cheyenne Canyon

https://www.trailforks.com/region/stratton-open-space/

Air Force Academy

Really only one loop, but a fun trail. Closures can happen due to national security risks, so be warned that you might get turned back.

https://www.trailforks.com/region/air-force-academy/

There are more riding areas, but these are terrific destinations for riders.

https://www.trailforks.com/region/colorado-springs/ridingareas/

——————————–

Canon City

About an hour drive to the south of Colorado Springs on Highway 115, the Canon City region offers 55 miles of opportunity on 53 trails.

 Featured Places

 Oil Wells Flats

6 trails mainly of the cross-country variety over intermediate terrain. Access info: Main parking is off of County Road 9 / Red Canyon Road.

 South Canon

21 trails covering 22 miles of varying terrain and levels of technicality. Access info: Several different access points. Parking at the Centennial Lot, Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot, and others.

 Royal Gorge Park

These 13 trails only cover about 2 miles of terrain, but the Park has mountain biking to enjoy while you visit the bridge.

Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/region/canon-city-10845/

——————————–

 Monument

30 minutes north of Colorado Springs, the area around Monument, Colorado offers 63 trails covering 80 miles of terrain.

 Featured Places

 Kipps Loop

This 4 mile single track loop is mainly ranked as “green” terrain.

Upper Ridge

The upper portion of a popular hiking and biking trail, this is mainly “blue” terrain — fast with some technical sections. Be on the lookout for hikers and dogs.

White Ghost

This “blue” single track is typical forest floor. Stay on trail to avoid going to neighborhoods.

Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/region/monument/

——————————–

Woodland Park

20 minutes to the west, up Ute Pass to the town of Woodland Park, riders will find a variety of trails covering 52 miles of terrain.

 Featured Places

 Catamount Reservoir Trails

5 trails covering 11 miles of dirt road and single track terrain. Access info: Take the Pikes Peak Highway from Highway 24 in Cascade, Colorado.

 Rampart Reservoir

4 trails covering 12 miles of terrain, mostly circling Rampart Reservoir. Access info: Take Rampart Range Road from Woodland Park. This trail is higher altitude and typically cooler during those hot summer days.

Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/region/woodland-park/

The content on this page was provided by Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates

 

Field Guides
Fire Information
Guides
Outdoor Ethics
Camping & Lodging
Fishing / Hunting Licenses
OHV permits ands registration