6 Flowy Beginner Mountain Bike Trails in Crested Butte

Pedal flowy cross country trails on these 6 selections from Crested Butte's vast network of singletrack.

Greg Heil

Images

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Riding the Upper Lower Loop with Mount Crested Butte and the Slate River in the background, with storm clouds looming. Rider: AJ Heil. Photo: Greg Heil

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Scenic portion of trail along the Slate River. Photo: Greg Heil

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View of Mount Crested Butte from the Lower Loop. Photo: Greg Heil

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Flowy singletrack through the aspens on the Gunsight Pass Connector. Photo: Greg Heil

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Flying into a switchback on the Gunsight Pass Connector Trail. Rider: Greg Heil. Photo: Marcel Slootheer.

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Flowy singletrack through the aspens on the Gunsight Pass Connector Trail. Rider: Greg Heil. Photo: Marcel Slootheer.

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Flowy black dirt through the aspens on the Gunsight Pass Connector Trail. Rider: Greg Heil. Photo: Marcel Slootheer.

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Pedaling the Lupine trail with Mount Crested Butte in the background. Rider: Marcel Slootheer. Photo: Greg Heil

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View of the Slate River Valley from the Lupine trail. Photo: Greg Heil

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View up valley from the Lupine Trail. Photo: Greg Heil

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Sweet singletrack on Snodgrass. Photo: Greg Heil

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Snodgrass provides delectable smooth, flowy singletrack through a gorgeous aspen grove. Photo: Greg Heil

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Slaloming down the Snodgrass trail with Mount Crested Butte in the background. Rider: Marcel Slootheer. Photo: Greg Heil

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Description

Crested Butte may be renowned for its epic-length cross country rides that climb high into the mountains, but this superb mountain bike destination is also home to a great selection of flowy, beginner-friendly XC trails. In fact, on average, Crested Butte’s singletrack trails are not nearly as rocky as most other trails in Colorado. Some trails are dramatic exceptions to this rule… but they aren’t included in this guidebook.

Start off with a pedal on Lower Loop—this may be one of the best beginner mountain bike trails in the world! Even expert riders will enjoy the swoop and flow coupled with jaw-dropping mountain views. For a longer loop with more climbing, add in the Lupine Trail, or do this combination the next day.

On the other hand, if your goal is to avoid climbing as much as possible, head to the Evolution Bike Park and ride a combination of downhill flow trails and classic singletrack. Hotdogger, Primer -> Awakening, and Meander will provide a full day of delightful lift-served beginner riding.

Ready for a bit of a challenge… but an approachable one? Then finish your week of beginner-friendly pedaling with an out-and-back ride on the classic Snodgrass Trail. This is yet another superb singletrack trail that both beginners and experts love!

Adventures

Lower Loop

While the Lower Loop may be the easiest singletrack trail in Crested Butte, the flow is sweet and the scenery is unreal!

Lupine Loop

A rewarding loop from downtown Crested Butte with flowy singletrack and beautiful views.

Hotdogger

One of the best beginner flow trails you'll ever ride!

Meander

An ultra-scenic intermediate trail at CBMR.

Snodgrass

Flowy black dirt winds its way through an aspen grove at the base of Snodgrass Mountain.