Best Mountain Bike Trails in the Front Range

Do you have a severe case of pedal envy? I don’t, I hate pedaling. But it’s the cost of getting to absolutely scream downhill on your overpriced pedal machine. So below I’ve compiled the best rides with a solid pedal-to-scream ratio that rank high up in my favorites list.

I’m not big on views or wildlife. You want views? Go to Maroon Bells. You want wildlife? Go to Yellowstone. I’m not pointing you to your next Instagram post.

What this list lacks in beauty, it provides in the most chunky, fast, and fun rides around the Denver area. So without further ado, here’s the unquestionable top rides of the front range:

Floyd Hill

The first two trails on this list are the first downhill only trails near the Denver Metro. The first being that it has some of the gnarliest downhill and best line selections you can find with a moderate climb. The loop itself is only 4.1 miles and ~700 feet of ascent. You can add more miles if you choose to rip the Floyd XC Loop, with an extra 3 miles and ~500 feet of ascent. The XC loop also features some fun sections as you descend back into another climb.

The Floyd Loop climb is punchy at times, but the reward is the best downhill track in all the front range: THE SLUICE. A trail with tons of optional lines, gnarly tech, rock drops, and feel free to ride as fast or slow as you’re comfortable. It’s also a downhill specific trail, so you won’t encounter any walkers on the way down.

If it’s your first ride, take it slow and look around. You’ll be in awe at the variety of choices possible while descending. But watch out for those Strava Endur-bros that are trying to PR.

Don’t feel like you have to tear the trail a new one on the first ride. Make sure you take a look at some of the alt lines so you can see what you like for the next descent. I love visualizing lines that I plan to work up to. Especially the big boy drop about half-way down.

There are some double black drops scattered along the trail, but they’re easy to spot. You only need to hit them if you’re feeling frisky.

If you’re looking for a good quick ride near Denver, make your way down to Floyd and I assure you, it will not disappoint.

Maryland Mountain — Hard Money

I can’t say enough about this ride. Located in Black Hawk, so Front Range may not apply, but it’s still a short drive from the Denver Metro.

No pesky walkers will disrespect the send while you scream to the bottom since this trail is downhill specific. With a whopping 1000 foot descent in just two miles, this trail is a great intro to Colorado gnar. You’ll encounter natural doubles, roots, rocks, and berms that will make you feel like you’re a gravity driven turd flushed down a natural toilet.

This area also features a variety of climbing options and alternate downhill tracks. For now we’ll focus on the easiest route for riding Hard Money. You’ll start your journey on a mellow climb on the Historic Gilpin Tramway for 1.6 miles. An interesting fact here is the stone retaining wall you’ll see to your right is over 150 years old.

This flows into Quartz Valley Trail, and finally Easy Money, equating to 7.8 miles of total climbing. Easy Money can be a bit challenging for beginner climbers, but it’s nothing too severe.

Once you peak out on Easy Money, sit back, have a cold one if you packed it, and get ready for the ride of your life. The hoots and hollers from this trail will stick with you long after you’ve reached the parking lot.

Big shoutout to COMBA (Colorado Mountain Bike Association) for the work they do to promote the sport. The Sluice and Hard Money are testament to the love that goes into their work. If you’d like to offer support, head on over to https://www.comba.org/get-involved.

Apex Park and Enchanted Forest

I’ll start by saying the climb here sucks, and yea it’s because I’m out of shape. So? But it is worth it. Coming in at 9.3 miles, with 1,680 feet of climbing, this ride will impress.

It’s downhill specific on even days, as it’s given to the walkers on odds, so plan accordingly. You can also expect a crowd on the weekends when an even day hits.

After the grueling pedal to the top (you can shuttle this ride), you get treated with some of the flowiest, but chunky sections of DH around. Creek gaps, rock drops, tech lines, this place is a training ground for Front Range enduro riders. Yeti uses this trail as a proving grounds for their new bikes, and there’s a reason people regard Yeti’s in the gnar. And don’t let the flow fool you, there are a few punchy climbs during the downhill of enchanted.

The trail provides some natural shade from vegetation. This also provides some interesting root formations that make the ride exciting. Definitely one of my favorite trails to session, and it’s all smiles down in the parking lot.

Dakota Ridge

If you want a taste of sandstone right here in the front range, then go no further than Dakota Ridge near Red Rocks. After punching to the top you’ll be balls deep in some of the chunkiest and butt-puckering terrain you can find within a short drive of Denver. This quick ride is a great rip for after work rides.

Pancaked between Green Mountain and Red Rocks, this ride offers a unique experience riding along one of the red sandstone formations that bend along the southern front range.

Dakota Ridge trail is only 2.1 miles, so some use it as a quick after work ride. But if you’re up to it, you can also combine it with the Red Rocks loop for a total of 8.2 miles. I will say, the best part of the ride is D Ridge itself, as Red Rocks is more of an XC trail. But if that’s your thing then have at it.

Dakota Ridge is also a great winter ride spot. So while the rest of Denver is waiting in I-70 traffic to ride tracked out powder and wait in Vail’s famous lift lines, you can sharpen your skills.

There’s a new section to check out at Dakota as well. Take the Dakota South loop for another new COMBA product. The recommended route is to rip this clockwise (updates coming once I’ve ridden this loop).

Mount Falcon

Many may disagree with this one since it’s not going to be the most outstanding ride. But for me, this trail holds a special place as it’s one of my very first front range MTB experiences. The climb is quick, but consistent. Has some technical bits, but nothing that you can’t overcome with a little elbow grease and leg torque. After suffering the short climb, you’ll end up peaking out at the top of Mount Falcon, with a pretty cool view of the city.

It’s also worth a short journey to the top of the hill. Here you’ll find the remains of the once grand Old Walker Home, which had plans of becoming a Presidential summer home before being burned down. The land the Walker family left behind would become the foundation for many of the trails around the Front Range.

Once you drop in, you descend one of the flowiest trails in the front range. Delight yourself with the loose corners and poppy water bars of the Mount Falcon descent. The berm section near the bottom will have you screaming for more.

Chimney Gulch

I’m offended at how underrated Chimney Gulch is. It’s like people consider it the little brother to Apex, but if you ask me it might be a more well-rounded top to bottom. It’s got tight turns, some decent tech, and it’s FAST. One knock on it is it is a two-way trail, and you will encounter walkers and the occasional Yeti boys who yield to no one. But with all the features it has and its fast pace, this trail is a beast within its own right.

Sitting at 2.2 miles with 1,134 feet of climbing, this climb can be a bitch. But again, worth it.

A side note here is that you can combine Apex and Chimney Gulch. Known to the locals as Ape’ Ney or Chimpex, you can climb Apex and drop Chimney Gulch or vice versa. The climb at Apex can be a bit less challenging, and combining these trails is definitely worth the work.

White Ranch — Longhorn Trail

This trail would rank higher if not for Belcher Hill. One of the worst climbing experiences in the front range. ‘Belcher’ sounds like the act of puking, which is what you’ll want to do for the majority of this climb. 1,733 feet climbing packed into 4.5 miles, nothing is easy about it. It’s doable, but it will suck.

There are several different descents here, but the mother of them all is Longhorn. A steep, technical trail with lots of roots, rock drops, and fast corners. You and your pack will be hooting and hollering all the way to the parking lot. It’s great that this trail is directional, as I am out of control as I tear through the amazing features found here.

Conclusion

No matter which trail you decide to ride, you’re in for a good time. Colorado’s Front Range offers incredible variety. There’s sure to be a trail that fits everyone’s interests. As long as you’re out on the trail, it’s a good day. Now get out there, and thanks for reading!