Breckenridge Biking

Breckenridge lodging guests shouldn’t miss biking in Breckenridge – and the rest of Summit County – in the summer. There are plenty of bike shops on Main Street that rent bikes, both for the backcountry and for cruising on the 40 miles of well-maintained paved paths that connect Breckenridge to Frisco, Dillon, Keystone and beyond.

Cyclists will find Breckenridge biking fascinating: whether it’s meandering through mining ruins, paths that wind beside a river, hard-core mountain trails or a simple ride through town. Bicycling offers something for everyone staying in Breckenridge vacation rentals.

The paved path from Breckenridge to Frisco is an easy 9 ½ miles, which takes about an hour and a half one way. The trail is one of the busiest in Summit County. The rewards lie on Frisco’s Main Street, where visitors can tour about a dozen historic buildings at the Frisco Historic Park, or grab a bite to eat or drink at one of the many cafes or restaurants.

Most cyclists begin at the Watson Street parking lot, which is close to many Breckenridge vacation rentals. The path goes through town, and then follows an abandoned narrow-gauge railroad grade. The trail offers views of horse pastures, the Blue River, Lake Dillon and breathtaking mountain peaks.

For those who prefer fat tires to road bikes, there are plenty of off-road trails in the area.

For example, Gold Run Road is a 10 ½-mile moderate ride that takes 2-3 hours over a looped dirt road. Riders travel through large aspen groves and private historic mining ruins that can be viewed from a distance.

Sallie Barber Mine Road leads to an old mine at its climax. Breckenridge lodging guests can park in one of the large lots located on the left side of Park Avenue, then ride out of town on Wellington Road toward French Gulch. At the three-way junction, riders bear right and after about 2.5 miles, they pass the huge Wellington Mine.

Tiger Road is an easy 6 ½-mile ride on a smooth dirt road. It takes cyclists through an area that used to be filled with miners. Cyclists will see ruins as they go through the remote meadow.

If you head to Three Forks of the Swan, get ready for a 16-17 mile moderate-to-advanced ride that will take at least four hours and realize an elevation gain of about 2,000 feet. The trail starts off from Tiger Road at the three-way junction on North Fork Road. The ride begins along a meadow, passes dilapidated cabins, nears the tree line (where trees stop growing) and offers stunning views. Cyclists can take the North Fork, the South Fork or the Middle Fork.

The Colorado Trail is even more challenging, with 23 ½ miles of track. However, cyclists can split it into three shorter loops by parking at the dredge boat parking lot, 2.6 miles up Tiger Road, or near the old Tiger Townsite, 4.8 miles up the road.

Several other Breckenridge biking trails beckon Breckenridge lodging guests to discover. Simply ask any bike rental shop or pick up the local Bike Guide throughout town for more information.