Overall Route Rating
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5 out of 5 Rider Rating 5
3 Reviews

Golden Gate Canyon Road

Motorcycle Route Author

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By ST1300 Colorado Bob (10 McR Points) on Oct 02, 2014

Rider Reviews

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kerber
0 McR Points
June 19, 2019
This was an excellent ride. After fueling up at…
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GJRonK
2629 McR Points
September 27, 2016
What a fun road! So many twisties--they just keep…
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Written Directions

1.4 miles north of the intersection of CO-93 and US-6/CO-58 in Golden, turn west onto Golden Gate Canyon Road (CO-46). Continue 18 miles up the canyon to Peak to Peak Hwy (CO-119). Once at Peak to Peak you can turn right (north) and head toward Nederland, CO (13 miles) and/or points beyond or turn left and make your way down Central City Parkway to I-70 (14 miles). You can also make a 45 mile loop ride by continuing south on CO-119 through Black Hawk until it becomes US-6 East and follow that back into Golden.

Scenery

The ride from Golden up Golden Gate Canyon is marked by beautiful canyon scenery on the lower portions, with numerous rock walls flanking curves. As you head up the canyon farther, the vistas open up, revealing great foothills views. Toward the top of the canyon, mountain peaks peek out between gaps in the canyon as you roll out of curves.

Drive Enjoyment

The best twisties are at the beginning, but the whole road is great. A bit of a sportbike haven. The road surface is smooth and confident. Do watch for fine reverted granite in the curves, especially on the lower portion from erosion off of rock walls. Numerous curves marked 15 mph on the lower portion, with more of the 20-40 mph curves on the upper portion. A fairly steep canyon that rides better uphill than downhill. Much more fun to use the throttle uphill than the brakes downhill.

Tourism Opportunities

Golden Gate Canyon Park, 13 miles up the canyon, offers rest facilities and a chance to take in some Colorado scenery. Otherwise, this road is mostly a connector from CO-93 to CO-119 that services Golden Gate Canyon Park. It just happens to be a lot of fun on two wheels. The early curves at the bottom of the canyon are peg draggers for wide cruisers, but are great for sport and sport-touring bikes. Still not a road to shy away from on a Harley, just respect the suggested curve speeds a bit more.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

I have never had the occasion to observe law enforcement on this stretch of road. That does not mean they are never there, but it does not appear to be a mainstay of patrol.
 

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kerber
June 19, 2019
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
This was an excellent ride. After fueling up at Golden, I went up this route, then looped back down to Golden via 119 & 6. There were some great twists and lots of pull-offs to take a breather.
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GJRonK
September 27, 2016
2629 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
What a fun road! So many twisties--they just keep coming. Perhaps Colorado's 'Dragon'. Of course, now (in the fall) the leaves are changing, so it's colorful to boot. If you are visiting, going back to I-70 or Golden makes a wonderful loop. You'll pass through Black Hawk and can go through Central City for some remains of old mining towns. Mostly now, unfortunately, both towns are more into gambling spots, but you still see mountains of trees and valleys dropping off to the sides.
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1 riders found this road review useful
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cafe8racer
September 27, 2015
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Enduro
Road this route for the first time today. Lots of twisties around 16 miles long. Road is in great shape. Hydrate well before taking it since there is no where to stop for gas or drink. With traffic it takes a good half hour from beginning to end.
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1 riders found this road review useful