Cottonwood Trail – Boulder Reservoir loop from University of Colorado Boulder (Main Campus)

Cottonwood Trail – Boulder Reservoir loop from University of Colorado Boulder (Main Campus)

Moderate

4.6

(9804)

10,697

riders

Cottonwood Trail – Boulder Reservoir loop from University of Colorado Boulder (Main Campus)

02:27

45.1km

350m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 12, 2026

Tips

The surface along some of this route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 8.13 km for 1.95 km

After 18.2 km for 459 m

After 26.5 km for 739 m

After 27.4 km for 609 m

After 28.3 km for 83 m

After 28.6 km for 2.44 km

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.13 km

Boulder Creek Path: 28th Street to Foothills Parkway

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Boulder Creek Path is a popular multi-use path that connects to many other bike trails and major roads in Boulder, allowing users to traverse across Boulder and largely avoid …

Tip by

8.17 km

Cottonwood Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This section of the Cottonwood Trail is a short, but sweet, crushed gravel trail that connects Independence Road to Jay Road. It's a nice, scenic way to avoid some of …

Tip by

28.4 km

Coot Lake Dock

Highlight • Lake

There is a wooden dock really close to the parking area at Coot Lake that looks over the water. Some great photography of the Boulder Peaks can be taken from here.

Tip by

29.3 km

With lakeside trails and far-reaching views of the foothills, cycling alongside Boulder Reservoir is wonderful. The traffic-free trails are great for families, group rides and solo expeditions. There are plenty of great picnic spots too, should you need a break.

Tip by

30.9 km

Boulder Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

Boulder Reservoir is sustained by two interconnecting dam walls. The water is open to fishing and swimming (in certain areas), and the trails around the lake are used heavily by …

Tip by

45.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types