Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail
Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail
Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail
4.5
Biking Trails • Canyons
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This bike trail winds through a canyon and offers scenic vistas of the Colorado River.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
414 reviews
Excellent
321
Very good
80
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Anne P
43 contributions
Jul 2020
You do NOT need to take a shuttle and coast back to Glenwood Springs as some reviews have mentioned.. There are a few inclines here and there but the majority of the ride is smooth in both directions. You barely realize when you're on an ascent. The landscape is incredible - you're literally riding next to the rapids/river with the mountains on either side. We biked from Glenwood Springs to Dotsero and back again for a total of 37 miles and around 3.5 hours. Not a difficult ride. There are rest stops every few miles with picnic tables, rest rooms, and vending machines. If you don't have time for the entire ride, then start at Grizzly Creek rest stop and bike to Dostero - I thought that portion was more scenic.
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MattIowa
Coralville, IA140 contributions
Jun 2020
This is a great paved bike trail. I took it from Glenwood Springs up to the dam. It's noisy, but that's more due to the river than the interstate. When I went with my family we went out to the Grizzly Creek exit/trailhead and avoided a hill that way. Highly recommend it for riders of all skill levels (minus small children on their own independent bikes).
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Janice R
Fort Worth, TX56 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Our family of 4 adults rented bikes and rode the bike trail down (and sometimes up) Glenwood Canyon. The weather was perfect and the shuttle driver was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. Beautiful scenery and a great physical activity. Lots of places to stop and rest, eat a snack we brought, etc. Glenwood Adventure Co. people take great care of you !
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tulsa33
Tulsa, OK50 contributions
Jul 2020
We paid $40 to have a nice bike and a shuttle to take us 13 miles into the canyon. Then we got to coast down a beautiful path and watch the white water rafters. The canyon is beautiful and a bike is a great way to explore it! Wish we had a permit to hike Hanging Lake. Next time!
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine T
Thornton, CO165 contributions
Jun 2021
This is a lovely trail when it is open. Be sure to check before traveling to Glenwood Springs. The fires that took out the trees in the canyon a couple years ago have disrupted the ground. When it rains the mud is sliding down the canyon and it causes I70 and this bike trail to close until the mud can be cleared.
If you find yourself disappointed as we did, a great alternate ride is the Rio Grande Trail that will take you to Carbondale and on to Aspen if you are adventurous!
If you find yourself disappointed as we did, a great alternate ride is the Rio Grande Trail that will take you to Carbondale and on to Aspen if you are adventurous!
Written June 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
goodybroncofan
Fort Collins, CO18 contributions
Jun 2020
This bike trail is just a beautiful ride. my wife was going crazy because I kept pulling over and taking Pictures. must be careful in the Summer time because people don't watch for bike riders. came around the curves a couple times and almost had to stop because so many people were spread out on trail. Actually wiped out once because they don't watch what their doing. But for a Short absolutely Beautiful ride this is a must. Stunning views !!!
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JBDAVIS
Lakeland, FL641 contributions
May 2021
We rented E-bikes from Blue Sky Adventures/Canyon bikes. We have just recently discovered the joys of e-bikes. Hate to admit it but at 60 I am never going back to regular biking. Rented the bikes for the whole day. We biked the entire trail round trip . We took along a picnic and stopped at Bair Ranch rest stop. In early May there were very few other people on the trail. It is a very scenic trail although I wish it didn't follow the highway so closely. Spent about 4 1/2 hours on the trail and biked about 40 miles. There is also a 40 mile trail following the Rio Grande that goes to Aspen that we followed a bit. Overall a great adventure.
Written June 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeni U
Denver, CO47 contributions
Jun 2020
This is a wide, mostly flat trail along the Colorado River. We biked from Glenwood Springs to the Grizzly exit. On an earlier trip my husband and I biked to Hanging Lake from G.S. The path is paved and well maintained. It's a bit tricky immediately outside of G.S. because the first mile is along the (protected) shoulder of I-70. There is also a section through a quiet residential area along the road. Otherwise, it's a clearly marked bike trail. A couple of steep places through the neighborhood and around a resort.
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KURT R
5 contributions
Aug 2021
Take the public transportation to Carbondale then head out toward Aspen or as far as you are comfortable. The trail is much more scenic for this portion. you can turn back wherever you like and glide all the way back to Glenwood Springs.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SpeakerMonica
Franklin, TN79 contributions
Jul 2020
There is interstate work going on here now that makes this difficult to access. Do your research before you go to see what exits are open. We accessed it from the northernmost exit where the rest stop is. You can ride both ways from there. The trail is easy to ride. I plan on doing the whole trail at a later date.
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Courtney M
Atlanta, GA3 contributions
I have two kids ages 7 and 11. We were thinking to do the shuttle drop-off and ride down the canyon road. I am not worried about my 11 year old. But worried that my 7 year old might get tired. I saw that renting a tag-along is an option. We have riden one of these before but more so on smooth, not hilly surfaces (paved road and beach). Is the entire trail paved? How steep of a grade is it? Has anyone riden this downhill with a tag-along? Thanks in advance!
Chuck2010
Palmyra, PA2,636 contributions
Where did you get electric bikes? Is there a bike rental business?
chrissy81226
Colorado Springs, CO9 contributions
Glenwood Adventure Company. Across the bridge from the Hot Springs. Great place
Cyndy O
Miami, Florida, United States13 contributions
Hi, I can't seem to find any company renting bicycles (or the one-way shuttle) in November. Is it a seasonal activity?
LP303
Boulder, CO161 contributions
It depends on weather. Once snow falls, you don't want to be riding a bike on the trail. Also, as the water rises in the Colorado River, the trail closes, as part of it becomes submerged in the river. Last year, the snow started in early November. This year,
There are very few bike shops left in Glenwood Springs - many of them closed in 2016. I would try Sunlight Mountain Ski & Bike (970) 945-9425. They should be able to advise you on what options are available at this late time in the season.
Jayne T
Cuyahoga Falls, OH21 contributions
We are looking to stsy in the area and bike the trail. Is there a place to stay where we can ride safely to the trailhead.
jelly6578
Denver, CO219 contributions
The trailhead is just a block or two from the Glenwood Hot Springs pool. If you stay on the east side of Glenwood, ie the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge or even the Hotel Denver, it is very easy and safe access via bike.
Bucksforme
columbus, ohio92 contributions
Wife and I are doing the Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail this Sunday. We are both in our early 60's but still active. But 16 miles seems like a long way. Do you think the ride is doable? We signed up for a shuttle trip with Glenwood Adventures. They assured us the ride was very tame but still a little nervous. What are you thoughts? Thanks so much for your time.
Myrna B
Blair, NE7 contributions
Yes, very doable. If you are renting bikes be sure to adjust the seat to what you are used to. I rode it last week and was over steering until I raised the seat. I also hiked to hanging lake. That was more of a challenge. I am in my 70's.
Andrea U
Provo, UT27 contributions
Are there places that rent bikes? How long is the bike trail?
I also saw a picture of segways, who rents those?
ColoradoJAK
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States471 contributions
There are various bike rental shops in Glenwood Springs where you can rent bikes for about $8 per hour. The bike trail goes uphill for upwards of 15 miles, and many folks join tours by these bike outfitters where you are shuttled up the canyon and can then leisurely ride downhill to Glenwood Springs and the bike drop-off at the shop. This is especially encouraged for folks coming from lower altitudes.
Since you are, apparently, coming from Provo, Utah, at about 4700 feet, and Glenwood Springs is about 5700 feet, you probably don't need to worry about the change in altitude.
The prettiest part of the bike trail starts closer to the Grizzly Creek rest area and extends eastward past the trailhead for Hanging Lake Trail. I always encourage bikers to take the beautiful hike up to Hanging Lake (with Bridal Veil Falls) and include the short walk to nearby Spouting Rock (an unusual geologic phenomena where part of the waterfall squirts out halfway down the cliff). The trail climbs over 1000 feet in a little over a mile, but it is one of the best hikes in the state. Parking nearby is almost always packed, so coming in by bike is perfect.
Back at Grizzly Creek rest area are picnic tables, grassy lawn by the fast flowing Colorado River, and nearby restrooms. I would suggest a morning bike & hike from Grizzly Creek and then return to Grizzly Creek for a picnic lunch. This also allows you to miss the high heat of the day as well as the perpetual afternoon thunderstorms (& lightning).
Plus, there is lots to do in Glenwood Springs, so spending a couple of days is well worth it. A pleasant place to stay is the Four Mile Bed & Breakfast. From there, you enjoy the sights and attractions of Glenwood Springs and take a side trip down to Aspen and Maroon Bells (over 14,000 feet) nearby which is spectacular in the Fall.
Hope your trip is delightful!
