Gravel Rides in Steamboat

Our Steamboat Colorado Gravel Ride Tours

Riding the wave of the hottest new thing has never been as important as giving our guests an exceptional experience for Timberline, and often we find the old ways become the new ways.  This is the case for gravel riding.  From the days of the old 10 speeds, through the mountain bike craze to the gravel bike fad, we’ve always been exploring the back roads of Colorado.   And now, in an attempt to avoid the pavement, we have designed a whole new hub tour around the quintessential western town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for our new Gravel Rides Cycling Tour.

Gravel Ride Itinerary

Routt County and the Yampa River valley are located in north-central Colorado, surrounded by peaks like Elk Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain and Mt. Zirkel.  Our home in the middle of it all,  for all 6 nights of the tour, is at the intimate boutique hotel The Bristol, in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs.  Several rides begin straight from our hotel, where we are close to restaurants, shopping and the general ski town atmosphere.  Our first day of riding takes us south of town, on a loop around Quarry Mountain and past Lake Catamount. There is one good climb to get your legs warmed up in this pleasant 38 mile loop.  On Day 3 we shuttle the short 25 miles to Hayden for a 44 mile loop called Bears Ears, that takes us on ups and downs through the Elkhead Mountains, past Elkhead Ranch, and a final loop around Elkhead Reservoir.  Day 4 again requires the short shuttle to Hayden for a scenic loop in the Williams Fork Mountains.  We climb three passes, the highest topping out at 7500 ft, while riding through numerous gulches and the Williams Fork Valley.  Day 5 we take a change of pace as we ride some pavement and some dirt, on a loop past the ski area, around the upper valleys of the Steamboat area, take a stop for a short walk to Fish Creek Falls, then head out of town to the infamous Strawberry Hot Springs for an afternoon soak.  On Day 6 we take a shuttle ride south to Oak Creek where we start our ride up to the flanks of Pinnacle Peak.  From there ,we enjoy some spectacular downhill as we follow Trout Creek all the way back to Milner on the Yampa, then take a last swing near the airport for our return to Steamboat.  Our last day gives us the opportunity to explore north of Steamboat on a route called The Darkside of Fly Gulch!  We climb into the Elk River valley, ride along Deep Creek, and enjoy the rollers on the way back to Steamboat for a celebratory late lunch.  The old becomes the new, and the new becomes the old on our Gravel Rides of Steamboat Cycling Tour.

Check out our other cycling tours through the Rocky Mountain region!