The best road cycling routes around Stepping Stone

Road cycling around Stepping Stone primarily features paved trails, often following river corridors and green spaces. The terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, with some routes offering moderate elevation gains. These urban and suburban paths are well-maintained and suitable for various skill levels.

There are over 60 road cycling routes available around Stepping Stone, catering to a range of abilities from easy to difficult. Specifically, you'll find 18 easy routes, 43 moderate routes, and 8 difficult routes.

Yes, Stepping Stone offers several easy road cycling routes. An excellent option is the Cherry Creek Trail – The Cherry Creek Trail loop from Grand View Estates, an easy 23.1-mile (37.2 km) path that follows the scenic Cherry Creek. Another easy choice is the Cherry Creek Park – Cherry Creek Trail loop from Grand View Estates, which is 20.6 miles (33.1 km) long and leads through Cherry Creek Park.

For a more challenging ride, consider the C-470 Trail, a moderate 34.5-mile (55.5 km) route with over 500 meters of elevation gain. Another longer, moderate option is the Cherry Creek Park – View of Cherry Creek Reservoir loop from Rosie Rueter Trailhead, which spans 87.1 miles (140.2 km) and features nearly 476 meters of ascent.

Many routes follow scenic river corridors and green spaces. You can expect views of natural areas, especially along the Cherry Creek. Notable attractions in the vicinity include the Rueter-Hess Reservoir, and various sections of the Cherry Creek Trail and East/West Regional Trail.

Yes, several routes are designed as loops. For example, the Cherry Creek Trail – The Cherry Creek Trail loop from Grand View Estates and the Cherry Creek Park – Cherry Creek Trail loop from Grand View Estates are popular circular options. Another loop is the Cherry Creek Trail – Railbender Park loop from Meridian.

The road cycling routes in Stepping Stone are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 39 reviews. More than 1670 road cyclists have used komoot to explore the area, often praising the well-maintained paved multi-use paths and accessible cycling opportunities.

Given the prevalence of paved multi-use paths and a significant number of easy routes, Stepping Stone can be a good option for family-friendly road cycling. Routes like the easy Cherry Creek Trail loops offer pleasant rides through natural areas suitable for various ages.

While specific cafe stops are not detailed in the route descriptions, the urban and suburban nature of the paths suggests that amenities like cafes and rest stops would likely be accessible in nearby communities or parks along the routes. Many routes connect various parks and urban areas, increasing the likelihood of finding places to pause.

The guide data does not specify the best time of year. However, as the routes are described as urban and suburban paved trails, they are generally accessible for road cycling during most seasons, weather permitting. It's always advisable to check local weather forecasts before heading out.

Elevation gains vary by route. Easy routes, such as the Cherry Creek Trail loops, typically have moderate gains around 130-170 meters. More challenging routes like the C-470 Trail can feature over 500 meters of elevation gain, offering a good workout for experienced cyclists.