FATMAP by Strava

Ute Valley Figure-8

A technical, entertaining mountain bike ride.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance
9.4 km
Ascent
213 m
Descent
214 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
1.9 km
High Point
2 km
Gradient
Ute Valley Figure-8 Map

Ute Valley is a small suburban park tucked into the northwestern corner of Colorado Springs. Ute Valley ranks second in popularity to Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, and many locals tend to think of it as "Palmer Park-Lite," according to local mountain bike explorer John Fisch.

Description

Even though Ute Valley is fairly small and doesn't have as many miles of trail to offer, the trails that you will find here are entertaining and technical! The trails in Ute Valley are characterized by "stretches of ledgy rock, trailside stunts galore, and tight singletrack weaving through the local pines," according to Fisch.

For mountain bikers, this basic figure-8 ride hits most of the trail system's highlights, but the many connecting trails offer plenty of alternate lines and the possibility to vary your ride slightly from day-to-day if you're a local that rides here often.

This ride also tries to maximize the more technical, entertaining trails in the network, such as the Hummingbird Trail (Nachos), Almond Butter, Rattle Rocks, and East Loop Trail, thus giving it a FATMAP "Severe" difficulty rating. It is also possible to build a more intermediate-friendly loop through the trail system by sticking to the blue trails instead.

Sources: Singletracks.com

Difficulty

Severe

Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. Ideal for advanced-level riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between March and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Singletrack
  • Drops
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area