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Mountain biking trails

Cottonwood Trail – South Boulder Creek Trail loop from Gunbarrel

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Cottonwood Trail – South Boulder Creek Trail loop from Gunbarrel

Moderate

2.5

(8)

riders

Cottonwood Trail – South Boulder Creek Trail loop from Gunbarrel

03:26

51.3km

410m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

4.90 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 the busy road crossings on Diagonal Highway while enjoying riding next to a creek and past some open fields. While all of this section of trail is very doable on a road bike, there is a bridge crossing that sometimes has planks loose or missing so be aware of that if you're skinnier tires!

Tip by

25.0 km

Spring Brook Loop

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Spring Brook Loop is a great introduction to mountain biking in Colorado’s Front Range, offering a mix of technical challenges and awesome views. The trail features a series of rocky step-ups, rolling singletrack, and winding paths through forests. The ride is mostly sun-exposed, so pacing water is important, and the trail is shared and popular with hikers, runners, and other bikers. Highlights include the descent through Doudy Draw and the twisty, wooded sections of the Spring Brook Loop. The trail loops back, offering expansive views of the Flatirons before returning to the starting point.

Tip by

25.5 km

Flatirons view

Highlight • Viewpoint

There is an opening on the Spring Brook Trail, and you get a great view of the Flatirons without trees blocking the way.

Tip by

35.7 km

South Boulder Creek Trail (Gravel)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This section of the South Boulder Creek Trail from Marshall Road is on smooth, crushed gravel. You pass through fields with excellent open views of the Flatirons on this fun portion of trail.

Tip by

43.0 km

South Boulder Creek Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

This is a very nice section of the bike path, with beautiful views over the mountains in the distance.

Tip by

48.5 km

Foothills Views

Highlight • Viewpoint

From this spot on 63rd, you get great views over a large field of the Boulder Foothills. This spot is especially nice in the fall when the leaves are changing and the mountains and hills have a light dusting of snow. If coming from downtown Boulder, these views really help you feel like you're headed out of town.

Tip by

51.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

26.2 km

19.4 km

3.89 km

1.25 km

547 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

15.1 km

14.2 km

13.9 km

6.96 km

1.08 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,900 m)

Lowest point (1,570 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 23 August

33°C

16°C

63 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Cottonwood Trail – South Boulder Creek Trail loop from Gunbarrel

Cottonwood Trail

Spring Brook Loop

Flatirons view

South Boulder Creek Trail (Gravel)

South Boulder Creek Trail

Foothills Views

Nearby routes

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