Mountain Biking in Telluride: Bike Park Laps to Backcountry Rides

Since it opened in 2019, Telluride Bike Park has turned into one of the best lift-served mountain biking destinations in the Rockies, and the surrounding valley adds miles of cross-country and rail-trail riding on top of it. Whether you’re brand new to knobby tires or looking for double-black technical lines, here’s what to expect.

Telluride Bike Park

The park runs from early June through early October and packs more than 20 trails onto the same terrain used by Telluride Ski Resort in winter. Access is via the free gondola or the Village Express chairlift, both departing right from town, so you can session laps all day without ever needing a shuttle.

Trails are organized into three categories: free ride trails range from beginner-friendly flow like Tommyknocker and Gold Bug Loop up to expert-level La Cura. Technical trails are rockier and more demanding, from intermediate options like No-Brainer and Scrubber to advanced lines like Cocoa Loco, Gold Rush, Killer Bee, and World Cup. Cross-country and multi-use trails cover the widest range, from the easy Russell Trail to intermediate rides like Basin and Meadows, up to expert routes like Prospect and See Forever.

The park also offers rentals, repairs, group clinics, and private guides, which makes it a solid option even if you’re traveling without your own bike or riding partner.

Beyond the Park: The Galloping Goose Trail

If you’d rather keep things mellow and scenic, the Galloping Goose Trail is a 5.5-mile route that gains only about 577 feet, following the path of a historic narrow-gauge railway past old train trestles and mining relics. It’s an easy, approachable ride for families or anyone looking for a lower-intensity day between bigger adventures.

Other Popular Rides

The Village Trail (about 3.6 miles) connects Telluride and Mountain Village on gentler terrain, and sections of trails like Bridal Veil Falls and the Jud Wiebe corridor offer additional riding for those comfortable mixing hiking and biking traffic — always yield to hikers on shared-use trails.

Tips for Riding in Telluride

Altitude matters here. Most of the valley sits above 8,700 feet, and the bike park terrain climbs well above that, so give yourself a day to acclimate if you’re coming from lower elevation, especially before pushing into the expert trails. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so plan bike park laps for the morning when possible, and always check trail conditions and closures before heading into the backcountry sections of the valley. Helmets are required in the bike park, and it’s worth budgeting for at least a half-day rental if you don’t want to fly with your own bike — Telluride’s high-consequence terrain isn’t the place to learn on unfamiliar gear.