Panorama on Flagstaff Mountain road biking route near Boulder, Colorado
Panorama on Flagstaff Mountain road biking route near Boulder, Colorado

Flagstaff Mountain Road Biking Route

Boulder
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Flagstaff Mountain Road Biking Route

Distance: 18.0mi
Elevation: 632mi
Time: 3h

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Flagstaff Mountain Road is a steep and twisty mountain road that begins at the base of the iconic Boulder Flatirons. Conveniently close to downtown Boulder, and being one of the steepest roads in the area makes this ride an experience you will never forget!

Flagstaff Mountain Road Biking Route Map

Getting there

From Boulder, take 9th St south to Baseline Rd. Take Baseline west towards Chautauqua Park. There are multiple parking options. You can park along Baseline Rd or in Chautauqua Park or at the Gregory Canyon Trailhead.

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About

Type of Ride

Single-day

Re-supply points

Chautauqua Ranger Cottage

When to do

Year round

Toilets

Chautauqua Ranger Cottage & Flagstaff Summit Park

Level of Car Traffic

High

Road Type

Shared roads with cars

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

High

Route Type

Out and back


Flagstaff Mountain
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Flagstaff Mountain

Flagstaff Canyon is a popular Boulder bike ride. This bike ride begins at the entrance to Boulder Mountain Park. The climbing will begin immediately! The first landmark is Panorama Point, which is an overlook that views over Boulder Valley. The road curves back on itself as it increases in grade through a series of steep switchbacks.

Ride past Crown Rock, which is a popular destination for hiking and climbing, until you arrive at Realization Point, where the shorter variation to this bike ride takes you up Flagstaff Summit Rd to Artist Point. For the full bike ride, continue past Realization Point and continue climbing to Lost Gulch Overlook. From Lost Gulch Overlook, you should be able to see the snowcapped mountains of Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park. Shortly after Lost Gulch Overlook, the road levels out to a nice bike ride in the mountains all the way to the Gross Reservoir parking lot.

Turn around and head back down the way you came. The descent off of Flagstaff Mountain is a full adrenalin rush with fast sections that flow straight into tight curves that will have you on the drops, with the brake levers squeezed tight! Watch out for heavy traffic as you cruise down back to the base.

Insider Hints

  • Shorter variations of the Flagstaff Canyon bike ride include turning around at Flagstaff Summit or Lost Gulch Lookout.

  • Cycle Flagstaff Canyon early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic.

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