Best casual bike rides in Boulder, CO
Boulder is one of the most bike-friendly towns in the country — a dense network of multi-use paths and creek trails means you can put together a great casual ride without fighting traffic. Here are a few route ideas, from flat family spins to longer scenic loops.
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Boulder family / flat ride — 5.37 mi
A short northeast loop on quiet paved roads, just over five miles with barely any traffic to worry about. You'll gain about 127 ft across the ride, nothing steep. Good for a quick spin or a warm-up.
Boulder bike paths ride — 7.19 mi
Head east on quiet paved roads for a short out-and-back loop, about 7 miles with minimal climbing and zero traffic to worry about. Perfect for a quick spin or a warm-up before something longer.
Boulder longer scenic ride — 21.35 mi
Head north on quiet roads, mixing pavement and well-graded gravel about evenly across the 21 miles. You'll climb roughly 1,417 ft spread throughout, so pace yourself for the sustained work, then roll back the way you came.
Boulder gravel ride — 18.38 mi
Head out southeast on a mix of paved and gravel roads, picking up about 893 ft of climbing along the way. You'll spend roughly a third of the ride on well-graded gravel, with a short stretch on busier pavement to connect. Out to the turnaround and back the same way.