This is an updated route from one we first rode in June of 2018.
The first time we rode this route, we did it on the Summer Solstice which was the perfect way to enjoy the longest day of the year- climbing hills and getting dirty.
Cody Park and Mt. Vernon Club Place are sweet and quiet neighborhoods have some of the best, steep and challenging gravel roads around.
Genesee Mountain Park has a lovely beginner, single track mountain bike trail that winds it ways through the park. Keep an eye out for the Buffalo herd which can often been seen from the road and parking lot on the north side of the park closer to I-70!
We saw a herd of beautiful elk, and one particularly impressive male with an enormous rack!
It is not *really* a low, but the climb up/down Lookout Mountain is all paved and with car traffic. It is an extremely popular cycling route and there are generally more cyclists than cars, but we always wish for a higher gravel ratio so....
No baby buffalo sighted on our most recent trip :(
Do this ride if you want to pack a lot of elevation into 30 miles, and you don’t mind both climbing and descending on steep gravel roads.
Parking is free and easy at the Beverly Heights Park in Golden. (You'll find a port-a-potty there too).
There is a public bathroom at the Lookout Mountain Park (approximately mile 4.8)
If you want to explore the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave Site, just look for the Buffalo Bill Grave Site sign and go up the hill at about mile 4.75 on the way up or at mile 24.75 on the way back.
As of April 2025, there is an incredible French Bakery/Cafe at the top of the climb called Et Voila (approximately mile 4.9 on the way up or mile 24.6). We highly recommend- it is well worth the stop!
There are private property signs around the Mt.Vernon Country Club area. I believe the roads are public. It is a very popular route for cyclist traveling from Lookout Mountain to Genesee.
Just drive (or bike) down into the town of Golden if you are looking for post-ride food or coffee. Cafe 13 has a nice outdoor seating area and excellent coffee and food!
Laura & Rose
Laura Karpinski and Rose Barcklow are the creators of Gravel Bike Adventures. Click on the About page to learn more about them.
