9.7 miles
Distance
2,009 ft
Climb
-1,972 ft
Descent
3,933 ft
High Point
37 ft
Altitude change
2,494 ft
Altitude min
2,503 ft
Altitude start
2,539 ft
Altitude end
0.1%
Grade
-40.8%
Grade max
52.7%
Grade min
4 miles
Distance climb
5 miles
Distance down
4,501 ft
Distance flat

The trail consists of a loop around Coldwater lake that includes three trails (211, 230, & 230A) that can be ridden clockwise or counterclockwise. If you ride Clockwise, the 230 trail is a steep 2 mile ~1500ft switchback climb out of the lake that at times is a hike-a-bike, but there is a great 3-4 mile decent down the 230A trail to the trailhead.

Detailed Description
Coldwater Lake Loop is a 10 mile popular intermediate route located near Cougar Washington. This mountain bike only route can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 3 trails. This route climbs 2,009 ft with a max elevation of 3,933 ft then descends -1,972 ft.
Tags
Lake

Trail Issues on Route

  • Significant Issue / Amber: 1 trail (newest: Jun 21, 2026)

Local Trail Association

Local trail association
Northwest Trail Alliance (nw-trail.org)
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Stats

  • Distance
    10 miles
  • Avg time
    2 hr 40 min
  • Altitude min
    2,494 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,503 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,539 ft
  • Climb
    2,009 ft
  • Descent
    -1,972 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -40.8%
  • Grade min
    52.7%
  • Distance climb
    4 miles
  • Distance down
    5 miles
  • Distance flat
    4,501 ft

1 Review & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
  • Activity Logs
    8
Avg: 3 (1 votes)
close
Trail transparency
  • Singletrack
mtb
mtb
162
mtb
162
mtb
133
youtuber Coldwater Peak
mtb
Coldwater Peak
16:10 | 356 | comments: 0 | favs:
Sep 27, 2023
youtuber South Coldwater Trail to St. Helens Lake
mtb
South Coldwater Trail to St. Helens Lake
14:13 | 735 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jul 3, 2020

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Coldwater Trail
Jun 21, 2026 @ 11:08pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Jun 21, 2026
Rode from South Coldwater trail to Coldwater Peak. Pretty garbage after Ridge Camp. Not recommended to ride beyond Blastzone Butte unless you are feeling adventurous. Views are great but it's mostly a hiking trail. If you are aiming for Coldwater peak, it’s only a matter of time before you stash the bike. Couple loose dirt blowouts. Couple carry over. And sections where bush are so dense you cannot see the hiker around corner so cannot go fast.
South Coldwater Trail
Oct 18, 2025 @ 8:56am (America/Los_Angeles)
Oct 18, 2025
Running great!
Lakes Trail
Jun 2, 2025 @ 7:57pm
Jun 2, 2025
NWTA did lots of maintenance! Go ride it!
more reports »
  • By TheBikeNerdTF Pro NWTA & contributors
  • #19254 - 3,093 views

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