Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.75 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.75
48 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Sep 30, 2006

Rider Reviews

No Image Found
Guest
June 16, 2010
Also, I'd HIGHLY recommend that people check out…
Thumbsup
No Image Found
Guest
March 17, 2011
Started this ride in Golden, Co. Rode up the…
Thumbsup

Written Directions

Start your route in Ft. Collins and follow Rt 14 west thru Poudre River Canyon to the town of Walden, Co. In Walden turn south on Rt.125 toward Granby, CO. Numerous fuel and food stops in Granby so enjoy. Find Rt. 34 and take it north toward Grand Lake/Rocky Mtn. National Park. You will easily spend 4 to 5 hours in the park maybe more if you wish to see everything. Leave the park via Rt. 34 and go into the City of Estes Park. Rt. 34 back toward the City of Loveland will take you thru Big Thompson Canyon with its steep rock walls on both sides of road and occasional sightings of Big Horn sheep.

Scenery

Absolutely breathtaking is the only way to describe this trip. This route will take you across the Continental Divide twice at two different locations, past mountain lakes and through Poudre Canyon and along the Poudre River as well as across nearly deserted roads with little or no traffic. It is an all day trip (might be better as a two day)not only due to the distance traveled but also due to stopping for incredible views. An occasional moose, elk, deer or Bald Eagle will also cause slight delays. Take two days and enjoy the beauty. No need to rush on this trip!!!

Drive Enjoyment

The roads are great with few rough areas. May have some ice or frost on surface early in spring but after late May and early June will find them clear and dry. Snow will still be present on the ground at higher elevations so pack warm outer clothing. The section from Ft. Collins to Walden consists of approx. 70 miles of twisting winding road, in great shape, thru Poudre Canyon as well as more open sections surrounded by beautiful mountain views on both sides of road. The section from Walden to Granby is nearly deserted and open. It consists of approx. 58 miles of great road, all open and little traffic (we saw 6 cars in 58 miles on a Saturday). Section from Grandby to Estes Park is superb and takes you thru Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park. Very curvy and numerous switchbacks. Rt. 34 thru RMNP can be a little narrow in some spots but no real problem. The trip from Estes Park back to Greeley rides thru Big Thompson Canyon. Solid rock walls on both sides of road as it follows the Big Thompson River. Photo contributed by visitor in Jun 09 - "About 10 miles into Hwy 14 outside of Ft Collins. Just a beautiful canyon."

Tourism Opportunities

Many stops and pull offs are provided so you can stop to enjoy the views. Lodging is available in Ft. Collins, Estes Park and Granby. Attractions include Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the city of Estes Park. Best restaurants would include Coffee Pot Inn or Elkhorn Cafe in Walden and Hunters Chop House and Estes Park Brewery in Estes Park. In Estes Park there stands the Historic Stanley Hotel (where parts of "The Shining" were filmed) and the City of Estes Park has fantastic/interesting shops and stores to browse in and many restaurants. Photo contributed by visitor in Jun 09 - "The road up to Cameron pass (elev 10,400 ft). bring some warm gear for this mountain trip - but you will not be disappointed!"

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

Top Images

Share Your Comments ( 48 )
  Earn McR Points
No Image Found
PhilMills
August 6, 2017
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
I'm a local and this is one of my regular rides. I think the route writeup misses a couple of key things that a visitor to the area should be aware of:
1) Trail Ridge Road (US34 between Granby and Estes Park) deserves to be called out by name. It is the highest continuous paved road in the US, topping out above 11,000'.
2) It's also effectively a toll road - about $20 to buy a RMNP day pass.
3) If you start in Ft. Collins, you're gaining ~7,000' in a two hour time span - be prepared for altitude.
4) You should expect epic thunderstorms coming up anywhere from noon to 5p in that area. You ABSOLUTELY DO NOT want to be above treeline (~10,000') when that comes through. The chances that you are going to be a lightning bolt's best path to ground is VERY high.
5) Expect a snow storm on Trail Ridge anywhere in the first month after it opens for the season (around Memorial Day) and be advised that early/late in the season this road is frequently closed due to weather conditions.

That said, this is a beautiful ride. The US 34 stretch is best done early in the day to avoid the HUGE amount of summer tourist traffic that floods Rocky Mountain National Park.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
4 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Guest
April 3, 2011
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
this route is the best ride you will find any where, my parents twin brother and my self road from wisconsin and made a point of taking this road... My parents had taken it years before
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Guest
March 28, 2011
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
This was a beautiful ride but longer than what most of the comments indicated. I would suggest making it a 2-day since there is so much to see. It took our group between 9-10 hours total. We met at 9 am in Denver and ended up in Estes Park at 7:00 pm.to spend the night. The route is beautiful roads are good. It does rain in the afternoon in the Rocky Mountain Park so plan to leave at a time that you will miss the afternoon storms.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful