Golden Gravel Trail

The Golden Gravel Trail is an emerging multi-state bikepacking route with a Colorado section that’s quickly earning a reputation as the next great American bikepacking adventure. Unlike organized races, this is a mapped route available year-round for self-supported riders to tackle at their own pace. The Colorado section traverses a stunning mix of gravel roads, forest service routes, and backcountry paths through some of the state’s most remote and beautiful landscapes.

The route has been designed to link together the best gravel and dirt roads across multiple states, creating a continuous corridor of unpaved riding that showcases the diversity of the American West. Colorado’s segment features everything from high desert terrain to alpine valleys, with resupply options in small towns along the way. The variety of terrain and the freedom to ride it on your own schedule make this route appealing to a wide range of bikepacking enthusiasts, from weekend section-riders to through-riders tackling the whole thing.

Because this is a self-supported route rather than an organized event, preparation is key. Study the route maps carefully, plan your resupply stops, and be prepared for variable conditions — Colorado weather can change dramatically over the course of a single day. Tire selection should lean toward the robust side for the mixed surfaces, and a solid bikepacking setup with sufficient water-carrying capacity is essential for the more remote stretches. As the route gains popularity, the community of riders sharing beta and trip reports continues to grow.