What is the best time of day to ride in summer?

Start early. By mid-afternoon in July and August, temperatures in the open foothills regularly push into the 90s and afternoon thunderstorms build quickly over the mountains to the west. Most riders aim to be off exposed trails by 1 or 2 p.m. A 7 a.m. start gives you several comfortable hours and gets you out before the lightning risk rises.

What bike setup works best here?

A hardtail with 2.2- to 2.4-inch tires handles the easy and moderate trails comfortably. For the hard-rated trails like Spring Creek, Timber, and Rim Rock, a full-suspension bike makes the chunky and loose sections more manageable, though plenty of riders do them on hardtails. Tubeless tires are worth the setup time given the occasional sharp rock and thorns in the drier lower sections.

Are the trails shared with hikers and horses?

Most of the trails in this network are multi-use, meaning you will share them with hikers and in some areas equestrians. Standard right-of-way applies: yield to horses and hikers, and slow down and communicate when passing. On busier weekend mornings, trails like Blue Sky and Soderberg see significant foot traffic, so keep your speed in check around blind corners.

Colorado · Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking in Loveland, Colorado

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Mountain Biking · 73 spots

Loveland sits at the eastern edge of the Front Range foothills, and its trail network reflects that geography: you get genuine singletrack variety within a short drive of town, ranging from mellow valley rides to sustained technical climbs. The 73 listed mountain biking routes here cover a wide spread of difficulty. Beginners and families gravitate toward West Valley Trail, Valley Loop Trail, and Ridge to Ridge Trail, all rated easy and well-suited to riders still building confidence on dirt. Intermediate riders have solid options in Blue Sky Trail, Soderberg Trail, Herrington Trail, and Indian Summer Trail, where the terrain gets rolling without turning punishing. If you came for a workout, the hard-rated trails — Timber Trail, Spring Creek Trail, Audra Culver Trail, Ginny Trail, and Rim Rock Trail — will test your climbing legs and technical handling. Most of the trail systems here sit in the open foothills rather than dense forest, which means they dry out faster than higher-elevation trails after rain or snowmelt, extending the rideable season on both ends of the year. That same exposure also means afternoon wind and summer heat are real factors worth planning around.

Frequently asked questions

What time of year can I ride in Loveland?

The foothills trails around Loveland are often rideable from late March through November, and in dry winters some easy routes like West Valley Trail and Valley Loop Trail stay clear even longer. The shoulder seasons — April through May and September through October — tend to offer the best combination of firm trail conditions and comfortable temperatures. Avoid riding immediately after rain or snowmelt; the clay-heavy soils here rut badly when wet and take a day or two to firm back up.

What skill level do I need for the trails here?

Loveland has a genuine range. Complete beginners can start on West Valley Trail, South Valley Loop, or Valley Loop Trail, which are flat to gently rolling and forgiving on a hardtail or even a gravel bike. Riders comfortable with loose dirt and moderate climbs will find Blue Sky Trail and Soderberg Trail a good next step. Timber Trail, Audra Culver Trail, Ginny Trail, and Rim Rock Trail are rated hard and involve steeper grades and rougher surfaces that reward riders with solid bike-handling skills.

Mountain Biking in Loveland, Colorado

Frequently asked questions

Nearby cities

Featured spots

Audra Culver Trail

Blue Sky Trail

Blue Sky Trail

Blue Sky Trail

Blue Sky Trail

All spots · 73

Carey Springs Trail

D. R. Trail

Eden Valley Spur Trail

Eden Valley Spur Trail

Elk Meadow Trail

Ginny Trail

Herrington Trail

Herrington Trail

Hidden Valley Trail

Howard Trail

Hunter Loop

Hunter Loop

Hunter Loop

Indian Creek Road

Indian Summer Trail

Kimmons Trail

Laughing Horse Loop

Laughing Horse Loop

Loggers Trail

Mill Creek Link Trail

Mill Creek Trail

Nomad Trail

On The Rocks Trail

Power Line Trail