Distance: ~20 miles RT, Buttermilk to Snowmass
Elevation Gain: ~1k
Difficulty: Depends on your fitness level and whether you’re self-propelled or e-propelled (Class 1 only). It also depends on your sensitivity to, or acclimatization to, altitude, as you’ll be +/- 8k ft.
This lovely path starts near the airport and winds through scenic horse farms and aspen groves, crossing tree-covered bridges. If you are in Aspen in the Fall, you must make time for this quintessential Autumn experience—on foot or wheels.
I let the beauty be my guide and explored some offshoot roads along the way. Disclaimer: if you “chose your own adventure,” as I did, you’ll likely encounter more elevation gain. My total gain was ~1,600 ft.
Bike rentals are available in Aspen and Snowmass. My favorite place to stay is the Inn at Aspen, which is at the Buttermilk start of the bike path. The Inn has a limited supply of standard bike rentals and also arranges e-bike delivery through a vendor. It also has a pool and jacuzzi, a BBQ restaurant, great entertainment, and free shuttle rides into town too. (Top pick post to come.)
Another popular paved path is the Rio Grande Trail, a 42-mile trail between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. I wanted to sample this one too, but unfortunately, I ran out of time.
Aspen and the surrounding Roaring Fork Valley are designated by the International Mountain Bicycling Association as a Gold-Level Ride Center and an overall biking Mecca for their world-class paved paths, road cycling, and rugged singletrack. Whether you’re into mountain biking, road biking, gravel biking, fat biking, trail running, or hiking (of course), Aspen has it all. I can’t wait to return with my road and gravel bikes.
Happy Trails!
