Mountain Biking

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WHEELIN' ROUND

Mountain bikers of all levels can challenge their abilities during their Telluride vacation on dramatic vertical terrain or take a relaxing tour through the breathtaking scenery of the Uncompahgre National Forest. Old mining roads and single-tracks in the region climb 9,500 feet to historic sites and rugged mountain beauty. The San Juan Hut System (overnight facilities) connects Telluride to Moab, Utah with 206 miles of varied terrain. Phil's World near Cortez, CO, about an hour from Telluride, also offers great trails for mountain biking.

Telluride Reservations Center works with some of Telluride's best outfitters in booking guided mountain bike tours throughout the summer season. We can also help you book your rental bike. Please contact our local Telluride vacation specialists to book your mountain bike adventure ~ 1.888.376.9770 or e-mail us at inquiry@telluride.com!

Most Popular Mountain Bike Tours

- Half-Day Galloping Goose Tour - priced from $90/person - This is the perfect ride for first time mountain bikers! The tour starts at Lizard Head pass surrounded by 14,000 foot peaks and gently descends down the single track Galloping Goose trail.
- Half-and Full-Day Custom Tours - priced from $95/person - This tour is great for more advanced riders. The guides love to get off the beaten path with customers who seek greater adventure.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS

San Miguel River Trail
A gentle, relatively flat trail along the San Miguel River is perfect for beginners, kids, and those who want to acclimate to the altitude. Beginning at Town Park, the trail continues to the valley floor. The river is lined with willows that serve as habitat for beavers, muskrats, fish and birds. The trail has access to side streets as it passes through town. Approximately 2.5 miles one way.

Ilium Road/Ames Historic Site
Look for the "Ilium Road" turnoff five miles west of Telluride on Hwy. 145. This road (primarily gravel) parallels the San Miguel River (south fork) to the historic site of the Ames power plant. The former town of Ames, which boasted a school house and a few buildings in 1890, was the site of the first alternating current power plant in the world. Built by Telluride's ingenious inventor, L.L. Nunn, with a donation from George Westinghouse, the hydroelectric plant was the first of many brilliant ideas engineered by this famous citizen, culminating in the giant Niagara Falls project in Ontario, Canada. Approximately 8 miles one way.

Galloping Goose Trail
A 17-mile section of the historic Galloping Goose trail begins on Lizard Head Pass at over 10,000 feet and descends into the South Fork Valley of the San Miguel River. This popular ride offers beginning and intermediate riders the opportunity to ride classic Telluride terrain without the sheer physical undertaking of many of Telluride’s other trails. In the words of Richard Thorpe, a longtime guide for Telluride Outside, “Galloping Goose is not Telluride’s most difficult ride, but it might be the most beautiful.” The Galloping Goose trail follows the historic route of the narrow gauge railway by the same name from Telluride’s mining era. As a result, the gradient is mild and the trail broad along most of the route. The trail begins on Lizard Head Pass and winds around both Trout Lake and Priest Lake on easy trail and dirt roads. After a 1-mile link of highway, it drops again onto trail near the Ophir junction, descending into the Ilium Valley along the South Fork of the San Miguel River. After several miles of spectacular trail riding, the route pops out onto a seldom-traveled dirt road which descends an additional 3 miles to the river itself. This is a common ending point for the ride, but bikers may then climb up the next leg of the Goose to the Lawson Hill area 3 miles west of Telluride and pick up Telluride’s paved bike path to ride back into town.

RIVER ROADS

Twelve miles west of Telluride on Hwy. 145, several river roads offer beautiful scenery and easy to intermediate terrain. The frontage road along the San Miguel River is an easy dirt stretch that meanders down the canyon between the Silver Pick and Fall Creek Roads. Fall Creek Road climbs gradually for four miles along Elk Creek to Woods Lake campsite. Silver Pick Road is a challenging climb to the top of Wilson Mesa.

ROAD BIKING

The San Juan Skyway, one of the most scenic drives in the country, is also popular with road cyclists. Hwy. 145 south out of Telluride is uphill and strenuous. Preconditioning is advised before undertaking any lengthy bike trips from town.