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7.0 miles
Distance
950 ft
Climb
-952 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point
-2 ft
Altitude change
6,178 ft
Altitude min
6,562 ft
Altitude start
6,562 ft
Altitude end
-28.6%
Grade max
29.5%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
2,480 ft
Distance flat
Bikes not allowed on Canyon and Benjamin Loops on Wednesdays & Saturdays. Betasso Link Trail is open 7 days as week.
Betasso Preserve is a great intermediate area close to downtown Boulder. Because of its popularity, bikes are not allowed on Wednesday and Saturdays. This ride is rated blue due to small technical rocks and roots features, moderate climbing and many sections of exposure.
Start at the main parking lot at the Canyon Loop trailhead on the left side of Betasso Rd. If this lot is full, there is more parking up the road. Both loops are directional for bikes and change monthly so please make sure to follow the arrows. You'll follow Canyon Loop around to the Loop Link trail. This trail is NOT directional for bikes and is narrow with lots of blind corners so ride with caution (and maybe a good bell). The low point of the Loop Link trail crosses a creek, it's a great time to appreciate you are only 3 miles from Downtown Boulder but it feels like you are in the middle of the Rockies.
Next, you'll come to Benjamin Loop. This trail is directional for bikes so check the arrow. Half way around, you'll come to another intersection to the Fourmile Link trail. If you want to add this trail as an out-and-back, it's about a mile long and has 2 short staircases that are hike-a-bike in both directions for most riders. Finish the Benjaimin Loop (if it's running the "good way", aka clockwise you may want to take another lap), then retrace your path on the Loop Link. Now you are back to Canyon Loop and you'll continue around in the direction you started.
Detailed Description
Betasso Loops is a 7 mile popular intermediate route located near Boulder Colorado. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 9 trails. This route climbs 950 ft with a max elevation of 6,588 ft then descends -952 ft.
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Stats
-
Distance7 miles
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Avg time1 hr 19 min
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Altitude min6,178 ft
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Altitude start6,562 ft
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Altitude end6,562 ft
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Climb950 ft
-
Descent-952 ft
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Grade max-28.6%
-
Grade min29.5%
-
Distance climb3 miles
-
Distance down3 miles
-
Distance flat2,480 ft
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Trails in Route
| 295 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 3,783 ft | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 3,783 ft | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 295 ft |
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlue
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Route TypeLoop
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eBike Allowed
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DirectionOne Direction
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Physical ratingModerate
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