Boulder, CO: Fourmile Canyon to Switzerland Trail

Boulder, CO: Fourmile Canyon to Switzerland Trail

Climb dirt roads into the upper reaches of Colorado's Front Range on this 50-mile loop offering iconic Rocky Mountain vistas.

Author:	Rockies Rider
Date:	16 Apr 2008 12:22:46 PM
Activity:	Mountain Biking ActivitySearchMountainBiking
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	50.78 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 5588 ft Total Loss: 5586 ft Net Change: 2 ft
Difficulty:	8 / 10
Tags:	Boulder, Colorado
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Test your mettle in the rugged hills west of Boulder on this 50-mile loop linking Fourmile Canyon and the Switzerland Trail. From Amante Coffee, a popular cyclist hang-out in north Boulder, ride south on Broadway toward Eben G. Fine Park. Pedal alongside the Boulder Creek through the park as you approach Fourmile Canyon Drive, which leads into the mountains and to the first climb: a steady, 10.7-mile ascent averaging a nearly constant 3.6-percent grade.

Roughly 16 miles in, bear left onto a dirt road and prepare for the upcoming 1.7-mile ascent that averages a stiff, 12.9-percent grade. After the road levels out, the route circumvents Glacier Lake en route to the Switzerland Trail, which offers serene vistas of snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks in the distance. Enjoy a brief descent before enduring your last noteworthy climb of the ride—a mild 4.3-miler stretch toward Saw Mill Road.

From here, it's slightly more than 15 miles of nearly unadulterated downhill riding as you wind your way back to Boulder. (Cyclists can detour from Lefthand Canyon Drive onto Lickskillet Road to visit the tiny town of Gold Hill.) Enjoy blissfully swift downhill sections with sweeping panoramas of downtown Boulder and the endless Eastern Plains on the return ride to Amante Coffee.

-Mapped by Joel Terwilliger

TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts at Amante Coffee. From US 36 W, turn left on Canyon Blvd. and follow for 1.1 miles. Turn right on Broadway. Amante is on right in 2.9 miles.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Boulder, CO: Fourmile to Switzerland Trail

Dist: 50.78 mi	Points: 1223	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Amante Coffee on N. Broadway St.	Then go 0.85 mi
0.85 mi	Turn Right	Poplar Ave.	Then go 0.25 mi
1.10 mi	Turn Left	Wonderland Ave.	Then go 0.65 mi
1.75 mi	Turn Right	Linden Ave.	Then go 0.02 mi
1.77 mi	Turn Left	Cut through on bike path	Then go 0.11 mi
1.88 mi	Straight	Fourth St.	Then go 1.56 mi
3.44 mi	Turn Right	Spruce St.	Then go 0.17 mi
3.61 mi	Bear Right	Pearl St.	Then go 0.08 mi
3.70 mi	Turn Right	Onto bike path	Then go 0.12 mi
3.82 mi	Straight	Under Boulder Canyon Dr.	Then go 0.05 mi
3.86 mi	Turn Right	Boulder Creek Path	Then go 2.09 mi
5.95 mi	Turn Right	Leave bike path and merge onto Boulder Canyon Dr.	Then go 0.07 mi
6.02 mi	Turn Left	Fourmile Canyon Dr.	Then go 4.89 mi
10.91 mi	Turn Left	Turn left to stay on Fourmile Canyon Dr	Then go 5.70 mi
16.61 mi	Bear Left	Dirt Road	Then go 0.15 mi
16.76 mi	Bear Right		Then go 2.99 mi
19.75 mi	Turn Left		Then go 0.04 mi
19.79 mi	Bear Right		Then go 0.10 mi
19.88 mi	Straight	S. Switzerland Trail/CR 120	Then go 9.61 mi
29.49 mi	Turn Right		Then go 0.17 mi
29.66 mi	Straight	N. Switzerland Trail	Then go 4.99 mi
34.66 mi	Turn Left	Gold Hill Rd./CR 52	Then go 1.86 mi
36.52 mi	Bear Right	Slight right at Sawmill Rd	Then go 1.06 mi
37.58 mi	Turn Right	Lefthand Canyon Dr.	Then go 8.99 mi
46.57 mi	Turn Right	Lee Hill Dr.	Then go 0.68 mi
47.25 mi	Turn Right	Turn right to stay on Lee Hill Dr	Then go 3.71 mi
50.96 mi	Turn Right	Turn right to stay on Lee Hill Dr	Then go 1.30 mi
52.26 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at N Broadway St	Then go 0.26 mi
52.52 mi	Stop

Points of Interest

Amante Coffee

Location: 40.057912°, -105.282127°
This ride begins at Amante Coffee on Broadway. Boulder Cycle Sport is next door. To start the ride, head south on Broadway.

Eben G. Fine Park

Location: 40.012825°, -105.317194°
Trace the Boulder Creek while heading west on the bike path through Eben G. Fine Park. © Joel Terwilliger

Fourmile Canyon Drive

Location: 40.015270°, -105.325204°
Bear right onto Boulder Canyon Drive, then left onto Fourmile Canyon Drive. Over the next 10.7 miles, you'll gain nearly 2,050 feet of elevation at a steady 3.6-percent grade. Keep on the lookout for cars zipping around Fourmile's tight twists and blind corners.

View of Boulder Canyon

Location: 40.036634°, -105.413582°
Notch spectacular views of nearby Boulder Canyon as you continue to gain elevation. © Joel Terwilliger

Dirt Road Climb

Location: 40.036934°, -105.467527°
Bear left onto the dirt road and prepare for the monster climb ahead. The next 1.7 miles proceed upward at a grueling 12.9-percent grade. © Joel Terwilliger

Near the Top

Location: 40.024887°, -105.491688°
The bulk of steep climbing is behind you here. After 0.7 mile of gradual ascent, you'll begin coasting downhill.

Switzerland Trail

Location: 40.018942°, -105.502288°
Heading east on the Switzerland Trail, you'll be treated to eye-popping vistas of the Rocky Mountains tucked behind thick pine forests in the foreground. © Joel Terwilliger

Climb

Location: 40.036992°, -105.467401°
Continuing on the Switzerland Trail, you'll begin a 4.3-mile stretch of gradual climbing. Gaining roughly 800 feet, your climb will average a moderate 3.6-percent grade.

Saw Mill Road

Location: 40.050926°, -105.484736°
Expect a bumpy ride on the coarse Saw Mill Road. After a brief climb, the ride back to Boulder is predominantly downhill. © Joel Terwilliger

Road to Gold Hill

Location: 40.075247°, -105.414526°
Optional: Hang a right on Lickskillet Road to reach Gold Hill. The tiny village offers a market with snacks and drinks.

Gold Hill

Location: 40.063387°, -105.408309°
Gold Hill marks the site where gold was first discovered during the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush. Today, it is home to just over 200 residents. © Joel Terwilliger