Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Poudre Trail – Cache la Poudre River loop from Mountain & Shields

Poudre Trail – Cache la Poudre River loop from Mountain & Shields

Moderate

2.6

(5)

riders

Poudre Trail – Cache la Poudre River loop from Mountain & Shields

02:02

34.2km

240m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 30, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 2.83 km for 84 m

Customers only

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.36 km

Sheldon Lake

Highlight • Lake

This little lake in Fort Collins City Park has a paved lake path which circumnavigates the water, taking you on a loop along the bank.

Tip by

6.61 km

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, CO, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and running. The area features a network of well-maintained trails that wind through rolling hills, grasslands, and scenic viewpoints. Mountain bikers can enjoy challenging singletrack routes with technical sections and fun descents. There are great views of the surrounding landscape, including Horsetooth Reservoir and the surrounding foothills.

Tip by

8.35 km

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

Nature Reserve

13.1 km

Bingham Hill

Highlight • Climb

Bingham Hill is a short, punchy climb that is a local favorite. The hill is located northwest of Fort Collins, just north of Horsetooth Reservoir, and features a steep, 1-mile climb with an elevation gain of approximately 250 feet. The gradient reaches close to 10%, making it a hard but rewarding climb. The area's rural setting, coupled with views of the foothills and the Rocky Mountains, provides a beautiful backdrop for the ride. Bingham Hill's proximity to other popular cycling routes in Fort Collins allows it to be easily incorporated into longer rides exploring the Horsetooth Reservoir, Rist Canyon, Bellevue and Laporte, and the surrounding area

Tip by

20.5 km

Howling Cow Cafe

Highlight • Cafe

The Howling Cow Cafe in Bellvue, Colorado, is a well-loved spot known for its unique and picturesque setting on the Morning Fresh Dairy Farm, where Noosa Yoghurt is made. The cafe features popular items like the Bagel Sandwich, Root Beer Float Milk, and various espresso drinks, making it a great stop as you ride around there area. You can eat outside and, if on a more leisurely ride, take a tour of the dairy farm.

Tip by

27.2 km

Lions' Open Space

Nature Reserve

27.7 km

Bridge over the Cache la Poudre River

Highlight • Bridge

This section of the Poudre Trail crosses an amazing box bridge made out of wood and steel beams just past the Butterfly Woods Natural Area. In this riparian (riverside) forest you might see squirrels, foxes, raccoons, mule deer, mourning doves and woodpeckers.

Tip by

28.2 km

Butterfly Woods

Highlight • Forest

Originally a small fruit agriculture area, this spot has transformed into a riverside forest over the years. The trail running alongside is a favorite among hikers, runners, and bikers. True to its name, the area is home to two rare species of butterflies, adding to its natural charm.

Tip by

28.3 km

Poudre Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Poudre Trail is a beautiful place for biking along the Poudre River. The river changes personality through the seasons from quiet and calm to loud and raging, so each visit can be a different experience.

Tip by

31.8 km

Cache la Poudre River

Highlight • River

Known locally as 'Poudre', the Cache la Poudre River is a wonderful sight all along the Poudre Trail. The name of the river comes from French-Canadians, who hid their store of gunpowder close to the waterway during a blizzard. Cache la Poudre means 'hide the powder'.

Tip by

34.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

15.3 km

8.78 km

3.70 km

3.42 km

2.42 km

613 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

14.3 km

8.10 km

7.62 km

4.11 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,640 m)

Lowest point (1,520 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 5 July

37°C

13°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

Want to know more?

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Hard

Poudre and Great Western Trail Loop

05:11h

69.6km

250m

Moderate

Bingham Hill – Spring Creek Trail loop from City Park

03:00h

47.5km

450m

Moderate

4.5

Bridge over Poudre River – Poudre Trail loop from Mountain & Shields

03:25h

53.6km

240m

Hard

Calloway Hill loop from Livermore

06:01h

69.3km

1,220m

Moderate

5.0

Poudre Trail – Cache la Poudre River loop from Mountain & Shields

02:02h

34.2km

240m

Moderate

4.0

Poudre Trail – Bridge over Poudre River loop from City Park

02:58h

47.6km

230m

Moderate

5.0

Sheldon Lake – Reservoir Ridge Natural Area loop from City Park

02:17h

36.0km

190m

Easy

Cache la Poudre River – Poudre Trail loop from City Park

01:14h

21.7km

80m

Moderate

5.0

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area – Lions' Open Space loop from Laporte

01:36h

25.7km

170m

Poudre Trail – Cache la Poudre River loop from Mountain & Shields

Sheldon Lake

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

Bingham Hill

Howling Cow Cafe

Bridge over the Cache la Poudre River

Butterfly Woods

Poudre Trail

Cache la Poudre River

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️