Pedal Both Alpine and Desert on Salida’s Best MTB Trails

Pedal through alpine tundra, deep forests, and cacti on the best singletrack in Salida’s incredibly diverse trail system.

Mountain Biking Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Severe, Extreme

Description

The small mountain town of Salida, Colorado, is home to one of the most diverse mountain bike trail systems in the nation, if not the world. With hundreds of miles of singletrack running between the mountain peaks and the valley floor, the trail network around Salida spreads through an ecosystem that's equally diverse.

The mighty Sawatch Mountain Range, filled with towering summits that soar over 14,000 feet, soars above the town of Salida. Chaffee County (of which Salida is the county seat) is home to the most 14,000-foot peaks of any county in the lower 48, meaning you'll find an absurd amount of superb alpine mountain biking here! The Monarch Crest, Salida's marquee ride, is famous across the country for its high alpine traverse and spectacular mountain views.

As you work your way down into the deep pine and aspen forests filled with loamy black dirt trails, and then continue lower still into more arid climate zones, you'll eventually reach a bonafide desert environment. Most notably, the Arkansas Hills Trail System on the eastern side of Salida is home to a high desert environ featuring sandy, rocky trails lined by sharp cacti.

Whatever your flavor of mountain bike trail you prefer, you're almost guaranteed to find a new favorite ride in Salida's ever-expanding network of sweet, sweet singletrack!

Routes included

Little Rainbow Loop

One of the least technical rides in Salida, the singletrack is still flowy and fun.

Easy Mountain Biking

Distance: 21 km
Ascent: 356 m
Descent: 356 m

Canyon Creek Loop

The 10-mile descent ripping down the Canyon Creek Trail from this route's high point atop a 12,500-foot mountain is to die for!

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 31 km
Ascent: 1.2 km
Descent: 1.2 km

Alpine Tunnel Loop

Traverse the Continental Divide Trail above 12,000 feet and enjoy historic sites and high-alpine lakes.

Moderate Mountain Biking

Distance: 29 km
Ascent: 807 m
Descent: 807 m

Colorado Trail: Highway 50 to Cottonwood Pass

A long segment of the Colorado Trail running along the west side of the Arkansas Valley that provides flowy singletrack punctuated by steep climbs and descents.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 58 km
Ascent: 2.1 km
Descent: 1.9 km

Trans-Backbone

The Trans-Backbone route is an efficient, easy-to-navigate route through the Arkansas Hills trail system, with singletrack ranging from technical and challenging to flowy and fast.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 21 km
Ascent: 416 m
Descent: 416 m

Bear Creek Loop

A long loop with big climbs from downtown Salida, the singletrack is fast and flowy, making for a great cross country ride.

Moderate Mountain Biking

Distance: 42 km
Ascent: 1.2 km
Descent: 1.2 km

Monarch Crest -> Green's Creek

Green's Creek is the most relentlessly-technical singletrack trail dropping off of the Monarch Crest, making it a favorite of enduro racers.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 34 km
Ascent: 278 m
Descent: 1.5 km

Monarch Crest

This epic trail provides high alpine ridge top riding at treeline with views for hundreds of miles in all directions, finishing with a ripping descent down the mountain.

Difficult Mountain Biking