Gravel routes

A rolling farm-road loop connecting Niwot, Erie, Louisville, and Gunbarrel — a good measuring-stick ride for the Front Range plains.

Climbs into the foothills west of Boulder for mountain views without a full alpine commitment. Rated hard for the vertical gain.

Starts near downtown Golden and links the mesa-top loops atop North and South Table Mountain, with Blunn Reservoir in between — easy gravel and singletrack with big views.

A Boulder-area loop past the reservoir and out into open space — flat, fast, and a good one for a shorter afternoon ride.

A lollipop-shaped route through the Buffalo Creek recreation area southwest of Denver — forested gravel roads with a loop at the far end.

Combines the gravel around Chatfield with an out-and-back into Waterton Canyon, right at the mouth of the Platte River Canyon.

Follows the East/West Regional Trail through Douglas County out to the Bluffs — rolling gravel and singletrack south of the metro area.

A great starter ride on the gravel roads of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge — flat, wide, and wildlife-watching along the way.

Climbs out of Boulder up Sunshine or Fourmile Canyon to the historic mining town of Gold Hill. Refuel at the Gold Hill General Store & Pub — a general store that's been standing since 1873.

Stem Acreage is the place to start and finish this one, with post-ride food and beverages on site.

A quintessential Chaffee County sampler — starts at Buena Vista's main stoplight and ends at a mountain lake.

A graded two-wheel-drive dirt road climbing over historic Boreas Pass, connecting Breckenridge to the tiny town of Como.

An easy ride right next to Buena Vista along the old railroad grade — a good option for a shorter or lower-effort day.

A historic unpaved road climbing into RMNP — best ridden right before it opens to cars for the season or right after it closes, when it's quietest.

Three miles from town, with 40+ miles of gravel and dirt roads winding through high-desert rock formations.

An alpine out-and-back through open green meadows and ranches with picture-perfect barns, ending at a remote mountain lake. About 2,750 ft of climbing, mostly gravel.

A big lollipop starting at Saddlehorn Campground, with serious scenery and terrain above 9,000 ft. About 5,400 ft of climbing, half gravel and half paved — best in June or fall.

An out-and-back that climbs nearly 4,000 ft in the first 13 miles at a steady 6% grade, with spectacular views of the Grand Mesa. About 90% gravel.

A remote high-desert loop through colorful rock formations and hoodoos. About 3,670 ft of climbing, 92% gravel.

A searchable map of the region's gravel roads if you want to go exploring beyond this list.