16.0 miles
Distance
1,359 ft
Climb
-1,359 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
9,208 ft
Altitude min
9,287 ft
Altitude start
9,288 ft
Altitude end
-45.6%
Grade max
49.5%
Grade min
6 miles
Distance climb
7 miles
Distance down
3 miles
Distance flat

This is a 16 mile loop around the largest glacial lakes in Colorado. This ride includes the Twin Lakes Cut Off Trail. The by pass section is by passable by staying on the narrow highway until you reach the CT Tunnel Underpass. Local organizations are working on permissions to construct singletrack to eliminate the dangerous road sections.

Detailed Description
Twin Lakes Loop is a 16 mile popular intermediate route located near Leadville Colorado. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 1,359 ft with a max elevation of 10,019 ft then descends -1,359 ft.
Tags
Lake

Trail Issues on Route

  • Significant Issue / Amber: 1 trail (newest: Dec 2, 2025)

Local Trail Association

Local trail association
Cloud City Wheelers (www.cloudcitywheelers.com)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
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Stats

  • Distance
    16 miles
  • Altitude min
    9,208 ft
  • Altitude start
    9,287 ft
  • Altitude end
    9,288 ft
  • Climb
    1,359 ft
  • Descent
    -1,359 ft
  • Grade max
    -45.6%
  • Grade min
    49.5%
  • Distance climb
    6 miles
  • Distance down
    7 miles
  • Distance flat
    3 miles

1 Review & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Twin Lakes
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue

Directions

  1. Bike northeast on State Highway 82.
  2. Continue for 200 meters.
  3. Bike east on State Highway 82.
  4. Continue for 200 meters.
  5. Bike north on State Highway 82.
  6. Continue for 500 meters.
  7. Bike north on State Highway 82.
  8. Continue for 500 meters.
  9. Walk north on State Highway 82.
  10. Continue for 800 meters.
  11. Walk northeast on State Highway 82.
  12. Continue for 400 meters.
  13. Walk northeast on State Highway 82.
  14. Continue for 400 meters.
  15. Walk west on State Highway 82.
  16. Continue for 50 meters.
  17. Turn right onto Colorado Trail Connector.
  18. Continue for 400 meters.
  19. Walk west on Colorado Trail Connector.
  20. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  21. Walk northeast on Colorado Trail Connector.
  22. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  23. Walk north on Colorado Trail Connector.
  24. Continue for 200 meters.
  25. Bear right onto CDT CT - Twin Lakes North.
  26. Continue for 400 meters.
  27. Walk east on CDT CT - Twin Lakes North.
  28. Continue for 3 kilometers.
  29. Walk east on CDT CT - Twin Lakes North.
  30. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  31. Walk east on CDT CT - Twin Lakes North.
  32. Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
  33. Walk southeast on CDT CT - Twin Lakes North.
  34. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  35. Walk south on CDT CT - Twin Lakes Dam.
  36. Continue for 900 meters.
  37. Walk southwest on CDT CT - Twin Lakes Dam.
  38. Continue for 300 meters.
  39. Turn right onto CDT CT - Twin Lakes South.
  40. Continue for 300 meters.
  41. Walk west on CDT CT - Twin Lakes South.
  42. Continue for 500 meters.
  43. Turn left to stay on CDT CT - Twin Lakes South.
  44. Continue for 900 meters.
  45. Walk northwest on CDT CT - Twin Lakes South.
  46. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  47. Walk northwest on CDT - Twin Lakes South.
  48. Continue for 500 meters.
  49. Walk west on CDT - Twin Lakes South.
  50. Continue for 600 meters.
  51. Turn right onto CDT - Twin Lakes Alternate.
  52. Continue for 300 meters.
  53. Walk southwest on CDT - Twin Lakes Alternate.
  54. Continue for 700 meters.
  55. Walk west on CDT - Twin Lakes Alternate.
  56. Continue for 400 meters.
  57. Bear right onto CDT - Twin Lakes South.
  58. Continue for 800 meters.
  59. Walk southwest on CDT - Twin Lakes South.
  60. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  61. Walk east on Upper Twin Lake.
  62. Continue for 200 meters.
  63. Walk west on Upper Twin Lake.
  64. Continue for 400 meters.
  65. Walk west on Upper Twin Lake.
  66. Continue for 300 meters.
  67. Walk northwest on Upper Twin Lake.
  68. Continue for 300 meters.
  69. Walk west on Upper Twin Lake.
  70. Continue for 700 meters.
  71. Walk southwest on Upper Twin Lake.
  72. Continue for 100 meters.
  73. Walk southwest on Upper Twin Lake.
  74. Continue for 100 meters.
  75. Walk north on Upper Twin Lake.
  76. Continue for less than 10 meters.
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Trail transparency
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  • Singletrack
  • Unpaved

Photos

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mtb
96
mtb
81
Views 1Wooden features 1

Videos

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Mountain Biking Colorado Trail at Twin Lakes
mtb
Mountain Biking Colorado Trail at Twin Lakes
0:17 | 286 | comments: 0 | favs:
Aug 29, 2023

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
CDT CT - Twin Lakes South
Jun 30, 2026 @ 12:40pm (America/Denver)
Jun 30, 2026
Upper Twin Lake
May 11, 2026 @ 6:39pm (America/Los_Angeles)
May 11, 2026
 reporter
Colorado Trail Connector
May 11, 2026 @ 6:39pm (America/Los_Angeles)
May 11, 2026
 reporter
CDT CT - Twin Lakes Dam
Dec 2, 2025 @ 12:02pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Dec 2, 2025
 reporter
more reports »
  • By leadvegasTF Pro CCW & contributors
  • #63906 - 433 views

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