White River National Forest, a national forest in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 2.3 million acres, it is the largest National Forest in Colorado and one of the largest in the United States, characterized by its dramatic alpine landscapes, majestic mountain ranges, and extensive trail networks. The forest offers diverse terrain, including high peaks, wilderness areas, numerous alpine lakes, and rivers, making it ideal for several sports like hiking, roadβ¦
212
Routes
4.8
(108)
Average rating
7038
People visited

5.0
(2)
87
hikers
8.06km
04:07
1,010m
170m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
40
hikers
21.3km
07:49
910m
1,100m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

30
hikers
3.20km
01:15
190m
20m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

30
hikers
3.20km
01:15
190m
20m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(1)
60
riders
24.3km
02:26
620m
600m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

14
riders
12.0km
00:42
10m
690m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

18.8km
01:50
400m
540m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

98
riders
32.8km
03:28
830m
830m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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4.3
(3)
415
riders
132km
07:41
2,020m
2,020m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.3
(3)
413
riders
129km
07:35
2,000m
2,000m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
379
riders
32.7km
01:38
300m
300m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
211
riders
41.6km
02:23
560m
560m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.9
(15)
389
riders
52.5km
03:14
450m
450m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
63
riders
82.0km
05:32
1,270m
1,270m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
61
riders
22.8km
01:30
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
61
riders
48.4km
03:17
810m
810m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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66
runners
10.2km
02:26
980m
980m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

38
runners
42.4km
07:09
2,230m
2,230m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
33
runners
20.5km
02:58
900m
890m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

27
runners
9.53km
01:07
70m
70m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.7
(3)
34
riders
28.4km
02:19
590m
590m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
87.9km
07:36
1,530m
1,530m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

75.2km
05:53
1,230m
1,230m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
riders
61.4km
03:57
1,110m
1,110m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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White River National Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The forest features over 2,500 miles of trails and 1,900 miles of forest system roads. Komoot lists 1401 routes for various sports in the area.
White River National Forest provides diverse hiking experiences, from short interpretive paths to strenuous multi-day treks. Notable destinations include Maroon Bells, Hanging Lake, and trails within its eight wilderness areas. More information on hiking routes is available in the Hiking in White River National Forest guide.
Yes, White River National Forest offers hundreds of miles of trails and roads suitable for mountain biking. Designated routes allow for both traditional and e-bikes during the summer travel season. Popular routes include Morrow Draw Trail and Buffalo Mountain, with more details in the MTB Trails in White River National Forest guide.
Road cycling opportunities are extensive, including scenic rides like the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path, which follows the Colorado River. This path offers views of towering cliffs and cottonwoods. Additional routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in White River National Forest guide.
Yes, White River National Forest offers a variety of trails suitable for different skill levels, including easy paths. These trails provide accessible options for beginners or families seeking less strenuous outdoor experiences. The Easy hikes in White River National Forest guide provides specific recommendations.
The forest is home to iconic landmarks such as the Maroon Bells, known as Colorado's most photographed peaks, and Hanging Lake, a National Natural Landmark. It also encompasses portions of the Gore, Tenmile, Sawatch, and Elk Ranges, along with 10 peaks over 14,000 feet.
Regulations regarding dogs vary by specific trail and wilderness area within White River National Forest. Visitors should check local signage or the official forest website for current rules on leash requirements and restricted areas. Always practice Leave No Trace principles when recreating with pets.
Permit requirements vary depending on the specific activity and location within White River National Forest. Some activities, such as overnight backpacking in wilderness areas or commercial operations, may require permits. It is advisable to check the official forest website or contact a ranger district for specific permit information.
White River National Forest is a popular destination on komoot, with 1401 routes available across various sports. These routes have received an average rating of 4.67 out of 5 stars from 816 ratings. Over 37,000 visitors have explored routes in this region.
Komoot offers several guides for White River National Forest, including Hiking in White River National Forest, MTB Trails in White River National Forest, and Road Cycling Routes in White River National Forest. Other guides cover easy hikes, waterfall hikes, cycling, running, and gravel biking.
For additional information, the official website for White River National Forest is fs.usda.gov/whiteriver. The Supervisor's Office can be reached by phone at +1-970-945-2521.

