Mountain Biking Crested Butte, Colorado: An Intermediate Rider's Perspective
My favorite trails, some serious climbing, and why you don't have to be an expert to love riding in Crested Butte.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele
Crested Butte has been on my mountain biking radar for a long time. It's known for its singletrack, big climbs, and some pretty technical riding. And then there's the scenery. Mountains in every direction, wildflowers everywhere, and trails that seem to go on forever.
I'm an intermediate mountain biker. I love a good flow trail, don't mind working for a climb, and enjoy a little technical riding mixed in. But I'm also realistic about my abilities. I want to challenge myself, have fun, and finish the ride without ending up in the emergency room, which seemed to be a bit of a thing in Crested Butte in 2025.
I spent several weeks in Crested Butte riding as much as I could. Some trails were easier than I expected, others had some serious climbing, and a couple became favorites that I'd happily ride again and again. Strand Hill and Snodgrass were two of the harder rides I did, and I loved both of them.
And I have to say, Crested Butte is one of the most beautiful places I've ever ridden a mountain bike.
What Mountain Biking in Crested Butte Is Like for an Intermediate Rider
One thing I learned pretty quickly is that intermediate riding in Crested Butte can mean a lot of different things. A blue trail might have a long climb, tight switchbacks, roots, rocks, or sections where you're riding along the side of a mountain. Some trails are smooth and flowy, while others require a little more attention.
The elevation is another thing to consider. You're already starting at around 9,000 feet in town, and many trails climb higher. Even if you're used to riding, you'll probably notice the thinner air, especially on the climbs.
What I love about riding here is the variety. You can leave right from town, ride through aspen groves, climb into wide-open meadows, or spend an afternoon on trails with views of the surrounding mountains. And you can find plenty of challenging rides without getting into the area's more technical, expert-level terrain.
I've included videos of my rides below so you can see what the trails look like before heading out. Sometimes watching someone ride a trail tells you a lot more than a trail rating.
My Favorite Intermediate Mountain Bike Trails in Crested Butte
Mike riding one of the most technical sections of Strand Hill, navigating the roots, rocks, and wooden crossing.
Strand Hill via Canal
Strand Hill was one of my favorite rides in Crested Butte. I rode Canal to Strand Bonus, then climbed the jeep road to reach the Strand Hill trailhead.
There's a lot of climbing on this ride, but that last stretch up the jeep road is a beast. It's steep, rocky, and chunky, and you're working pretty hard just to keep moving. I was definitely ready for some downhill by the time I reached the Strand Hill trailhead.
The downhill on Strand Hill was worth all that climbing. It's mostly downhill, with some roots and rocks to keep things interesting. There are even a few climbs toward the end, just when you think you're done with those for the day. And then you get to ride Canal back to your car, which is such a fun way to finish. Fast, flowy, and with those beautiful mountain views right in front of you. I'd ride this one again in a heartbeat.
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Snodgrass Trail from Gothic Road to Washington Gulch
Riding Snodgrass Trail with views of Mt. Crested Butte. One of the reasons I loved this ride so much.
Snodgrass might be the prettiest mountain bike ride I did in Crested Butte. I started from Gothic Road, rode Snodgrass toward Washington Gulch, then climbed back up Gothic Road.
There's plenty of climbing on this one, too. But between the wildflowers, open meadows, and views of the surrounding mountains, I found myself stopping to take photos quite a bit.
What I especially liked about Snodgrass was how the landscape changed along the ride. You're out on these open hillsides with mountains all around you, then riding through sections that feel completely different. I loved being up there, even with the extra climbing.
Snodgrass crosses private property and may close seasonally. Check current trail conditions before heading out.
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Lupine Trail
Riding Lupine Trail with Mt. Crested Butte in the distance and wildflowers along the trail. Such a beautiful ride.
I rode Lupine with my friend Mike, and we took the free Mountain Express bus up from the Crested Butte Mountain Resort area rather than doing all the climbing ourselves. I'm always happy to take advantage of a little help getting uphill.
The buses have bike racks, which is a nice option when you want to skip some climbing. Just check the summer schedule and bike availability before heading out.
Lupine is another beautiful ride, with wildflowers, mountain views, and singletrack winding through the hillsides above town. There's a mix of climbing and descending, along with a few spots where you need to pay attention.
I liked that the trail kept things interesting without feeling like I was constantly negotiating technical obstacles. Between the scenery and the variety of terrain, Lupine is a ride I'd recommend to other intermediate mountain bikers.
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Coal Train to Lower Loop
If you're newer to mountain biking or just want something a little more relaxed, Coal Train into Lower Loop is a great place to start.
This was one of the easier rides I did around Crested Butte. Lower Loop follows the Slate River area, with mountain views and sections of singletrack that are enjoyable without being overly demanding.
It's also close to town, which makes it convenient if you're looking for a shorter ride or don't feel like tackling a big climb. I was camping at Oh Be Joyful Campground, and Coal Train was right there at camp, so I could hop on my bike and ride. If you're looking for a place to camp in Crested Butte, you can also read my review of Oh Be Joyful Campground.
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Tony's, Divine, and Town Trail
Another ride I did was connecting Tony's, Divine, and Town Trail. One thing I really like about Crested Butte is how many trails connect around town. You can put together a ride without having to load your bike onto the rack and drive somewhere every time.
This combination has some climbing and a mix of singletrack close to town. I liked being able to explore another part of the trail system without committing to one of the bigger rides farther out.
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The Climbs, the Elevation, and Knowing Your Limits
The elevation in Crested Butte definitely makes a difference. Climbs that normally wouldn't bother me had me working a little harder up here. Strand Hill and Snodgrass are good examples. Neither ride is especially long, but throw in the altitude and a few steep, punchy climbs, and you'll feel it.
And just because a trail is rated blue doesn't mean every section is going to feel easy. Trail ratings are helpful, but they don't always tell you how a trail will ride for your particular skill level.
I'm also not opposed to getting off my bike and walking something if I'm not comfortable riding it. I know what I can do, what I'm working toward, and when something just isn't worth the risk. I love mountain biking and want to keep getting better, but I also want to keep riding.
Weather is another consideration. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado mountains during summer, and conditions can change quickly. I pay attention to the forecast and try to get an early start, especially when heading out on longer rides or trails with more exposure.
Riding Crested Butte from My Van
One of the things I enjoy about traveling with my van is having the freedom to spend more time in places I love. I don't have to squeeze everything into a weekend or try to ride every trail in a couple of days.
Spending several weeks in Crested Butte gave me time to explore different trail systems, revisit areas I enjoyed, and take a day off when I felt like it.
For Snodgrass, I parked my van along Gothic Road. After finishing the trail toward Washington Gulch, I climbed back up Gothic Road to where I'd parked. It added mileage and elevation gain, but I liked being able to do the entire ride without arranging a shuttle.
And that's something worth thinking about when planning rides here. Some trails are easy to connect into loops, while others require a road return, shuttle, or a little extra climbing to get back to where you started.
Why I'd Come Back to Crested Butte to Mountain Bike
I've ridden in Moab, Fruita, Hurricane in Utah, and other places out West, and Crested Butte has its own personality. It's not the slickrock of Moab or the fast desert singletrack around Fruita. Here, it's alpine meadows, aspen trees, mountain views, and climbs that make you appreciate the downhill.
And then there's the town itself. I love Crested Butte. The colorful buildings, restaurants, friendly people, and the fact that mountain biking is such a big part of the community. Being able to finish a ride, grab something to eat, and hang out in town is part of what makes spending time here so enjoyable.
For intermediate mountain bikers wondering whether Crested Butte is worth the trip, my answer is absolutely yes. You don't have to be an expert rider to enjoy the trails here, and you certainly don't have to stick to the easiest ones. There are plenty of rides with substantial climbing, great descents, and mountain scenery that make the effort worthwhile.
One trail I didn't ride, and probably the most well-known in Crested Butte, is Trail 401. Not going to lie, the 4.5-mile climb just to get to the trailhead sounded brutal unless you have someone drop you off. I've heard it can take some riders two hours just to get there. And with the trail starting at over 10,700 feet and climbing to around 11,350 feet before the descent, I was a little intimidated at the time.
Funny enough, the more time I spent in Colorado, the more comfortable I got with the elevation. I eventually found myself mountain biking and hiking at 12,000 feet. And from everything I've heard, Trail 401 during wildflower season is absolutely beautiful. So that's on my list for 2027. I'm definitely riding it next time.
I spent several weeks here, and there are still so many trails I want to ride. But I already know Strand Hill and Snodgrass will be on my list when I return.
If you're wondering what I ride with, I've put all my mountain bike gear in one place in my Mountain Bike Kit.
I'm Michele, and I write Overland Girl, where I share firsthand travel experiences across the American West — from desert landscapes and national parks to small towns layered with history like Ouray. My work blends movement, place, and the stories that shape them.Some posts may include affiliate links to products or services I use on the road. If you choose to purchase through those links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support continued travel and storytelling. I only link to items I personally use or would use myself.