Biking in Spanish Peaks Country
Spanish Peaks Country is gorgeous, and what better way to soak it all in than on a bike? Whether you’re into a mellow ride or something more intense, the towns of Walsenburg, La Veta, and Cuchara have the trail for you!
For more information, visit www.LaVetaTrails.com.
Take your cruiser or road bike on the following trails:
#1 – Cuerno Verde Trail in Lathrop State Park
3 miles | Easy
This loop trail is paved and encircles Martin Lake. The trail offers exceptional views of the Spanish Peaks, the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, and Green Mountain.
Trail Access: Lathrop State Park
#2 – La Veta Loop Trail
3 miles | Easy to Moderate
The La Veta Loop Trail goes through gravel alleyways and streets offering exceptional views of Spanish Peaks, the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, and Greenhorn Mountain.
Trail Access: Parking is available at the Town Park.
The following trails are awesome for mountain biking:
#3 Baker Trail #1301
3.5 miles | Moderate
Trail Access: From La Veta, take Highway 12 to Cuchara Water and Sanitation office and turn right into Spring Creek trailhead parking lot. Take Dodgeton trail (approx.1.25 miles) to the junction of Baker/Dodgeton trails.
#4 – Bear Lake Trail
.8 miles | Easy
Bera Lake Trail has two possible trailheads:
South Trailhead Acess: From La Veta, take Highway 12 south 14.2 miles to Bear Lake/Blue Lake Campground sign (Forest Road 422). Turn right onto FR 422 (dirt) and drive 3.5 miles to Blue Lake Day-use Area. Trailhead is on the left.
North Trailhead: From La Veta, take Highway 12 south 14.2 miles to Bear Lake/Blue Lake Campground sign (Forest Road 422). Turn right onto FR 422 (dirt) and drive for 5 miles to the Bear Lake Day-use Area on the right.
#5 – Blue Camp Trail
.8 miles | Easy
Blue Camp Trail has two possible trailheads:
Blue Lake Trailhead: From La Veta, take Highway 12 south 14.2 miles to Blue Lake Campground sign (Forest Road 422). Turn right onto FR 422 (dirt) and drive 3.5 miles to Blue Lake Day-use Area. The trailhead is on the left. The trail around Blue Lake takes you to a connector trail to the Blue Camp Trail.
Blue Lake Campground Trailhead: From La Veta, take Highway 12 south 14.2 miles to Blue Lake Campground sign (Forest Road 422). Turn right onto FR 422 (dirt) and drive for 4 miles to the campground sign. Enter the campground and take the left-hand loop road to the trailhead.
#6 – Dike Trail #1389
3.4 miles | Moderate
Trail Access: From La Veta, take Highway 12 to Cuchara, turn left at the community center, and follow the road (3/4 mile) past Misty Haven cabins to the trailhead and parking lot. This is the access to the “north” end of the trail.
#7 – Dodgeton Trail #1302
4.5 miles | Moderate
Trail Access: From La Veta, take Highway 12 to Cuchara Water and Sanitation office and turn right into the Spring Creek trailhead parking lot. Take Dodgeton Trail #1302 (approx. 1.25 miles) to the junctions of Baker Trail #1301.
#8 – Indian Trail #1300 – South Trailhead
13 miles | Moderate to Difficult
Trail Access: From La Veta, take Highway 12 south 14.2 miles to Bear Lake/Blue Lake Campground sign (Forest Road 422). Turn right onto FR 422 (dirt) and drive for 5 miles to the Bear Lake Day-use Area on the right.
#9 – North Fork Trail #1309
4.5 miles | Easy
Trail Access: There are two possible trailheads.
South Trailhead: From La Veta, Highway 12 for 27 miles south to County Road 34; then four miles to south trailhead at Purgatoire campground. Restroom available.
North Trailhead: This one is located on Forest Road 436 near Blue Lake Campground.
#10 – Shortcut Trail #1300A
1.5 miles | Moderate
Trail Access: From La Veta, take Highway 12 to Cuchara Water and Sanitation office and turn right into Spring Creek Trailhead parking lot. Take Dodgeton trail (approximately 2.75 miles) to the junction of the Shortcut trail.
Seriously, no matter what color your bike is, you can help ensure biking in Spanish Peaks Country will be fun for years to come if you Leave no Trace and Care for Colorado. Staying on designated trails, and packing out your trash is a start, but you can read more about what you can do on every trip to be a better human for the planet.