The easiest trails in the Pikes Peak region are mostly jeep roads.
Most of our trails are a little rough for beginners but the network
of jeep roads is the region's best kept secret. All of these roads
are hilly but are suitable for beginners with some leg strength.
Ice Cave Creek and Balanced Rock Loops
Rampart Range Road, north of Woodland Park is loaded with jeep roads
and several of them make fun loops on a bike. These two are a little
steep in spots but don't require much skills and even pass by creeks
and rock formations. Do the upper loop, don't ride down to Palmer Lake.
Rainbow Falls Trail
North of Woodland Park on Route 67, the Rainbow Falls area has turned
into a make-shift camping area. The jeep roads leading from this
pretty valley are a little hilly but wide and smooth.
Schubarth Area
This little-used area north of Rampart Reservoir is a web of jeep
roads leading to creeks, lakes and rock piles. Some of the hills
are brutal, but easy ones aren't hard to find.
Emerald Valley
South of Gold Camp Road is one of the prettiest valleys in this
region. The dirt road that follows the creek through Emerald Valley
is fairly easy but boasts several creek crossings, towering trees
and neck craning mountains overhead.
Gold Camp Road
The closed section of Gold Camp Road is an easy climb up the old
railroad bed that heads into the mountains above South Cheyenne
Creek. Most beginners will have to walk their bikes over the closed
tunnel, but will then have the next eight miles to themselves.
Mueller Park
Huge Mueller Park is laced with trails and about half are open to
bikes. They're mostly hilly but not too tough and the high spots
offer great views of the Pikes Peak's western foothills.
Santa Fe Trail
This 30 mile trail follows I-25 across the Air Force Academy to
Monument and Palmer Lake. The middle is kind of dull, but both ends
are a pretty ride, and it's almost effortless in either direction.
