Aspen's Most Popular Bike Routes

Below are 20 of Aspen's most popular bike routes, with options for dropping off your bike on a one-way ride, made possible by Four-Mountain Sports (learn more below).

Aspen > Snowmass Base Village (Via Brush Creek)

Distance: 10.8 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet | Type: Paved trail & road

Best for: River scenery, steady climbers, scenic views

Terrain: Long downhill, then moderate climb

The alternative route to Snowmass Base Village follows the Rio Grande Trail along the Roaring Fork River to Brush Creek Road. Compared to Owl Creek, it is a mile further, and offers a long, steady downhill before a moderately strenuous climb up to Snowmass. Views on the final approach are glorious.

Aspen > Woody Creek Tavern

Distance: 7.8 miles one-way | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: Minimal | Type: Paved multi-use path

Best for: Families, casual riders, first-timers, dining destination

Terrain: Mostly downhill cruise

One of the most popular day trips in the valley consists of a steady downhill cruise along the Rio Grande Trail to the legendary Woody Creek Tavern. This former grocery store and post office turned rustic, funky tavern has long played host to an eclectic assortment of locals, cyclists and celebrities, and was perhaps best known as the preferred hangout for writer Hunter S. Thompson.

Woody Creek Tavern > Aspen

Distance: 8 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 400 feet | Type: Paved multi-use path

Best for: Return riders, steady climbers, post-lunch workouts

Terrain: Steady climb along the Roaring Fork River

After a few rounds of tamales at the Woody Creek Tavern (or the New Mexico-style green chile and pork), you may want to burn off some calories by earning your way back to Aspen. The 8-mile return trip climbs steadily up the Roaring Fork River, but is manageable for many.

Aspen > Maroon Bells

Distance: 11.5 miles one-way | Difficulty: Challenging | Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet | Type: Paved road

Best for: Experienced riders, photographers, bucket-list rides

Terrain: Steep climb through forest to alpine lake

We try not to be prone to hyperbole, but this really is one of North America's greatest rides. The ascent can feel steep as you climb up Maroon Creek Road, but the payoff — the moment you turn the corner and sneak a peak of "the Bells" for the first time — is richly rewarding. Because of the 1,800-foot climb, consider renting an e-bike.

Maroon Bells > Aspen

Distance: 11.5 miles one-way | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Elevation Loss: 1,800 feet | Type: Paved road

Best for: Descent riders, scenic cruising, rewarding downhill

Terrain: Fast descent through aspen forest back to town

Another reward for pedaling all the way up to Maroon Lake and the Bells? The descent down, which is a thrilling ride through groves of aspens. In fact, don't be surprised if the return ride to Aspen takes half as much time. However, be mindful of your speed on the way down as it is easy to go too fast. And of course: wear a helmet!

Aspen > The Tipsy Trout (in Basalt)

Distance: 19 miles one-way | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Elevation Gain: Minimal | Type: Paved multi-use path

Best for: Half-day adventures, families, dining destinations, one-way riders

Terrain: Nearly flat with easy-going vibes

For a solid but not-too-challenging workout, consider this ride down the Rio Grande Trail to the lovely community of Basalt and its signature riverside café, The Tipsy Trout. Given this ride's nearly 20-mile length, you may want to utilize Four Mountain Sports bike drop service as well as the easy-peasy RFTA buses back to Aspen. Of course, you can also book shuttle options for the return.

The Tipsy Trout > Aspen

Distance: 19.7 miles | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging | Elevation Gain: 1,389 feet | Type: Paved multi-use path

Best for: Strong riders, full-day adventures, return cyclists

Terrain: Mostly flat with steady climbing

... But, if your al fresco lunch has reinvigorated you for the ride back (the beautiful Frying Pan River does have a restorative effect on many!), then you can easily cycle back the way you came. The 19.7-mile ride is mostly flat, but their is a steady gain of 1,389 feet to get back to Aspen. (We did the math: that's only 70 feet per mile. You got this!)
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Aspen > Lenado

Distance: 16.2 miles one-way | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging | Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet | Type: Paved trail, unpaved road

Best for: Solitude seekers, experienced riders, wilderness access

Terrain: River-side riding, unpaved forest road climb

One of the less-obvious (but no less beautiful) bike trips in the valley leads to the northern edge of the Hunter/Frying Pan Wilderness. To reach the settlement of Lenado, riders follow the Rio Grande Trail to Woody Creek, then proceed up the unpaved Woody Creek Road. Cell service is spotty back here, so load your route before you leave Aspen.
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Lenado > Aspen

Distance: 16.2 miles one-way | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: Minimal (mostly downhill) | Type: Paved trail, unpaved road

Best for: Solitude seekers, scenic return rides

Terrain: Mostly downhill with forest immersion

The return trip from Lenado to Aspen is 16.2 miles. When combined with the Aspen to Lenado leg, it creates one of the most esteemed routes in the valley for the local cycling community: a 30+ mile roundtrip ride along rivers, creeks, forest and open space. Mountain views abound.
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Aspen > Independence Pass

Distance: 21 miles | Difficulty: Very Challenging | Elevation Gain: 4,100 feet | Type: Paved road

Best for: Experienced cyclists, bucket-list rides, high-altitude training

Terrain: Steady alpine climb to 12,095-foot summit

One of Colorado's most iconic cycling routes. Relentless climbing through aspen forest, subalpine pine, and above-treeline tundra. Summit views span the Continental Divide.

Pro tips: Start before 7 AM to avoid storms. Bring 3+ liters of water and a windproof jacket. Summit is 40–50°F even in summer.

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Independence Pass > Aspen

Distance: 21 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Loss: 4,100 feet | Type: Paved road

Best for: Descent junkies, thrill-seekers, rewarding downhill run

The payoff ride. After conquering the climb, earn 4,100+ feet of exhilarating descent back to town. The full Aspen > Independence Pass > Aspen loop takes 4–6 hours and ranks among Colorado's premier cycling challenges.

Technical notes: Steep descent requires good braking control. Watch for gravel on curves. Oncoming traffic possible.

Pro tips: Use brakes strategically on steep sections. Watch for loose gravel on corners. Stay aware of traffic.

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Snowmass Base Village > Woody Creek Tavern

Distance: 7.3 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: Minimal | Type: Paved multi-use path

Best for: Half-day rides, families, casual diners

Terrain: Mostly flat with easy coasting

This relatively easy, 7.3-mile bike ride is perfect for a half day of sun, coasting, and lunch at the quirky and iconic Woody Creek Tavern. The log-cabin style restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating and an extensive menu.

Woody Creek Tavern > Snowmass Base Village

Distance: 7.3 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 500 feet | Type: Paved multi-use path

Best for: Return riders, climbers, post-lunch workouts

Terrain: Brief scenic river stretch, then steady climb

The ride back to Snowmass Village from the Woody Creek Tavern follows a brief but scenic stretch of the Roaring Fork River before climbing up to the Brush Creek-Highway 82 Intercept lot, where riders hook back up with the Brush Creek Bike Path. From here, the climb is steady, but gloriously scenic, to Snowmass Base Village.
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Snowmass Base Village > The Tipsy Trout (Basalt)

Distance: 19 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: Significant descent, then mild climb | Type: Paved trail

Best for: One-way adventures, dining, scenic cruising

Terrain: Descends from Snowmass, then mostly flat to Basalt

This pleasant 19-mile ride descends substantially from Snowmass Base Village, down the Brush Creek bike trail to the Rio Grande Trail and eventually Basalt, where you can lunch at the riverside café, The Tipsy Trout. From here, Four Mountain Sports can pickup rental bikes in the event you want to return to Snowmass Village by shuttle or RFTA bus.

The Tipsy Trout > Snowmass Base Village

Distance: 19 miles | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging | Elevation Gain: 1,389 feet | Type: Paved trail

Best for: Strong riders, full-day adventures, return cyclists

Terrain: Mostly flat with steady climbing back up

If you’re feeling strong and want to bike back to Snowmass Base Village, this climb is among the most rewarding from purely a cardio standpoint. The final stretch from Highway 82 to Snowmass Base Village via the Brush Creek Bike Path will make you earn whatever plans you have for dinner, with a progressively steeper climb beginning about 12 miles in.

Snowmass Base Village > Lenado

Distance: 15.5 miles | Difficulty: Challenging | Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet (net) | Type: Paved trail, unpaved road

Best for: Strong riders, wilderness access, solitude

Terrain: Downhill start, then steep climb to remote valley

Looking for a strenuous workout option? This ride from Snowmass Base Village to the settlement of Lenado — tucked in the upper reaches of the scenic Woody Creek Valley — offers riders a nice, steady downhill at the start followed by a heart-pumping 1,200-foot climb from the Roaring Fork River to the small, woodsy settlement. In total, 15.5 miles of riding are earned. As noted above, the cell reception is minimal in this valley, so plan accordingly.

Lenado > Snowmass Base Village

Distance: 15.5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: Minimal (mostly downhill start) | Type: Paved trail, unpaved road

Best for: Strong descenders, scenic return rides, full-day adventures

Terrain: Long descent, then climbing back up

The return to Snowmass Base Village from Lenado is practically a mirror-image of the ride there in terms of elevation gain and loss. Lenado sits only a few feet higher in elevation than Snowmass Village, so this 15.5-mile return journey starts with a long descent of 1,200 feet, before you end your day climbing back up to Snowmass Base Village along Brush Creek Road.