Breckenridge has miles of paved bike paths, graded mountain roads, lift assisted downhill riding and single track trails. Over the past 10 years, Breckenridge has become known as a top biking destination in the West. There is always a full schedule of biking events and races throughout Summit County including the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which is becoming the premier bike event in the country, bringing in top athletes from all over the world including the top three finishers from the Tour De France.
Use the information below to get a better idea of some of the different types of trails and paths to choose from when riding in the Breckenridge area.
Breckenridge Mountain Bike Park: The Peak 8 Fun Park offers great biking opportunities for the whole family with lift assisted mountain biking. Breckenridge offers trails designed for beginners to expert and a mountain bike park with all kinds of features. Click here to see the Breckenridge Mountain Summer Trail Map. (Need to upload and link to summer map)
Note: All directions start from the Grand Lodge on Peak 7.
Summit County Recreation Paths
Breckenridge to Frisco:
Type: Paved trail
Rating: Easy
Distance: 9.5 miles one way.
Elevation: 9,600 - 9,050 feet
Season: April to November
Drive to or ride down to the free Gondola Lot located on Watson Ave. Follow Ski Hill Road down to stoplight at Park Avenue. Turn left and make the next right turn onto Watson Ave. Immediately turn right into the Free Gondola parking lot. In Frisco make your destination the Frisco Transfer Station located behind Safeway at 1010 Meadow Drive in Frisco. Wind your way along the Blue River and past Lake Dillon on this gentle, mostly downhill path that is a perfect ride for the whole family. This path can be a one way by placing a car in Frisco or hopping on the Summit Stage for the short trip back to Breckenridge or turn around and ride back.
Dillon Reservoir:
Type: Loop ride using paved trails and roads.
Rating: Easy - More Difficult
Distance: 18 Miles
Elevation: 9,025 - 9,500 feet
Season: April to November
The best location is the Snake River Inlet parking lot in Dillon just north of the Swan Mountain Road intersection on Highway 6. Follow Ski Hill Road down to stoplight at Park Avenue. Turn left and follow to the traffic circle at the north end of town. Follow Highway 9 North toward Frisco for about 7 miles and turn right at Swan Mountain Road (Summit high School in on the left). Follow Swan Mountain Road until it ends and turn left onto Highway 6 at the stoplight. Make an immediate left into the parking lot. From this point you can ride a relatively level path all the way around 3/4 of the lake and end up in Frisco. From Frisco you can choose to turn around and ride back or continue around on Swan Mountain Road back to the Snake River Inlet. Swan Mountain Road has an elevation gain of 500 feet and a section that is on the road so it is not recommended for small children.
Mountain Biking Trails Around Breckenridge
The trails below are a selection our "favorites" among the many mountain bike trails around Breckenridge. For more information on mountain biking around Breckenridge, stop by the Activities Desk at the Grand Lodge on Peak 7.
Tiger Road:
Type: Out and back, dirt road
Rating: Easy
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation: 9,600 – 9,770 feet
Season: April to November
Follow Ski Hill Road down to stoplight at Park Avenue. Turn left and follow to the traffic circle at the north end of town. Follow Highway 9 north about 4 miles until you reach the Tiger Road Stoplight. Turn right Drive 2.6 miles and park on the left in the parking area near the pond with the historic dredge boat. Begin your ride going up Tiger Road which makes a gradual climb. Enjoy the majestic Rocky Mountain Views. The ride goes for about 3.2 miles until the road comes to a 3 way split which is the beginning of the 3 Forks of the Swan, a set of advanced trails. At this point, return and ride back down to your car.
Sallie Barber Mine:
Type: Loop, dirt road, trail
Rating: Easy – Moderate
Distance: 9.5 miles
Elevation: 9,600 – 10,685 feet
Season: June to mid-October
Drive to or ride down to the Free Gondola Lot located on Watson Ave. Follow Ski Hill Road down to stoplight at Park Avenue. Turn left and make the next right turn onto Watson Ave. Immediately turn right into the Free Gondola parking lot. Ride down Watson to Main Street. Turn right and then turn left onto Wellington Road. At the 3 way stop sign stay straight. The road turns into French Gulch Road and past the Country Boy Mine on your right just past 4.1 miles take the road that forks right and drops down to a stream. Climb for about a mile to the Sallie Barber Mine which is the high point of the trail. Continue on the main road descending until you intersect CR520. Turn right and after a few feet turn left onto the Juniata Trail. The single track turns into a double track as it descends. Curve left and parallel a paved road until reaching a 3 way intersection. Turn right, ride a short distance and then turn right onto CR503. Continue downhill, veering left at roads 502 and 500. Descend until merging with Royal Tiger Road. Turn right and follow until intersecting with Wellington Road. Turn left and follow back to the Free Gondola Lot.
Baker's Tank Loop:
Type: Loop, dirt road, trail
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation: 10,360 – 10,850 feet
Season: Late June to Early October
Follow Ski Hill Road down to stoplight at Park Avenue. Turn right and follow until the road ends at Main Street. Turn right and follow to the 2nd stoplight at Boreas Pass Road. Turn left drive 3.5 miles up to where the pavement ends and park in the parking to the left. From the parking area continue on Boreas Pass Road (dirt road) about 3 miles to Baker’s Tank. Turn onto a jeep road veering left just before the tank. Climb and veer left to a trail starting near a fence. Follow the trail for about a mile until you reach a junction. Turn left and start a long descent. After about another mile turn left onto an old road and then turn right almost immediately and back onto the trail to avoid private land. Follow the trail crossing a few intersections back to the parking area.
Burro Trail:
Type: Out and Back
Rating: Moderate – More Difficult
Distance: 7.8 miles
Elevation: 9,840 – 10,640
Season: Mid June to early October
Drive to or ride down to the Free Gondola Lot located on Watson Ave. Follow Ski Hill Road down to stoplight at Park Avenue. Turn left and make the next right turn onto Watson Ave. Immediately turn right into the Free Gondola parking lot. From Watson Ave turn left onto Park Ave and ride to Village Road and turn right. Turn left into the lot right below Beaver Run Resort, ride through the lot and onto the ski area access road under the QuickSilver SuperChair. Almost immediately after the chairlift, turn left onto the Burro Trail 9 (marked by a sign). Follow the main trail gently up avoiding the side trails connecting along the way. The trail follows the river for a time then veers away climbing to intersect with an old road at about 2 miles. Turn left onto the road, ride over an extremely rocky section and ascent gradually along a hillside. Cross the Crystal Lakes Jeep Road. Continue on until the trail merges with the Spruce Creek Trail. At this point the Burro Trail ends. You can choose to continue on the Spruce Creek Trail and return the same way you rode out.
Biking "Rules of the Road"
- Stay in control: You are ultimately in control of your bike. Do not ride faster than conditions allow. Do not attempt stunts and maneuvers that are beyond your capabilities.
- Share the Trail: The bike paths and most of the trails and Forest Service roads around Breckenridge and Summit County are shared trails with bicyclists, hikers, horses, skate skiers, long boarders and whatever else people can find to get from one place to the next. As a bicyclist you are the one who should yield the right of way to others especially horses and hikers. Communicate with other people. Remember to be aware at intersections as well.
- Ride only on open trails: Do not ride on private property.
- Respect the trail and the environment: Do not ride on trails that are too wet. Do not create new trails when you can get through the main trail. Do not leave trash or litter. Be aware of the local attitudes towards biking and respect it.
- Ride prepared: Bring the proper gear. Know the weather. Know about the area you are going to ride. Tell someone where you will be going. Do not ride above your abilities.
What to Bring – Be Prepared!
- Proper clothes for the conditions: Padded bike pants and riding gloves could make things more comfortable.
- Bike Pump and spare inner tube: A flat tire is the most common problem on the trail.
- Water: Water is essential.
- Food for longer rides: Very important to keep up your strength on the trail.
- Sun block: High altitude and 300 days of sunshine, this one is a no-brainer!
- Chain Tool: Chain breaks are pretty common and a chain tool will generally fix this issue.
- Screwdriver, small wrenches, hex wrenches and other tools: Know your bike and bring proper tools to make minor repairs as necessary.
- First aid kit: Be prepared for accidents always.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from sun, wind bugs and other flying debris.
For more information on mountain biking in Breckenridge, please email activities@grandlodgeonpeak7.com or call 970-453-3330, ext. 0 and ask for the Activities Desk.