more stats
3.6 miles
Distance
304 ft
Climb
-547 ft
Descent
00:48:20
Avg time
-243 ft
Altitude change
8,293 ft
Altitude min
8,551 ft
Altitude max
8,549 ft
Altitude start
8,307 ft
Altitude end
-1.3%
Grade
-19.6%
Grade max
23.9%
Grade min
4,695 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat
00:48:20
Avg time

Unchained Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Midland Trail System
    Buena Vista, Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (3 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 65 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #9732 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #471 in Trail Running
    • #107475 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular In Reverse
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Season
    April - November
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop, Rock Face, Rock Garden
  • Year Opened
    2019
  • Land Owner
    BLM

Unchained is one of the newest additions to Buena Vista's trail systems. This hand-built singletrack connects Django to the Midland Trail and Bacon Bits intersection via technical rock features, flowy sections, and a foray of turns. This trail has blue and black segments, plus more technical offshoots.

There are several alternates routes for added technical climbs, rock rollers, and drops that range from black to double black. **Please scout these alternates before riding them**

You will find a connector trail around the 2-mile mark that will take you back to the Midland Trail.

The recommended riding direction is East to West (From Bacon Bits to Django) to make use of all alternate routes and features.

*This trail and all alternates are currently unmarked.

Access Info

Use the CR304 parking area.

Disclaimer

Unchained is closed from December 1st - April 15 for winter wildlife habitat protection. Please respect this closure.

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 4 rides
  • 20 miles average
6 Months
  • 97 rides
  • 12 miles avg distance
All
  • 450 rides
  • Last: Sep 11, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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update trails status or condition

Unchained Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Oct 27, 2025 @ 11:44am (America/Los_Angeles)
Oct 27, 2025
 reporter
Apr 16, 2025 @ 6:20pm
Apr 16, 2025
 open and dry
Dec 2, 2024 @ 2:32pm
Dec 2, 2024
 reporter Seasonal closure in effect - Dec. 1 - April 15.
Nov 26, 2024 @ 6:35am
Nov 26, 2024
 reporter Overnight snow that continues to fall.
Nov 17, 2024 @ 4:36pm
Nov 17, 2024
 some sections clear, some still snowy and icy
more »
Status:
on Oct 27, 2025
Dry
Avg: 4.13 (32 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (2,355)
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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users activity logs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
Trail Last Used
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  • < 2 days
  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
Contribute Details
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  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
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BC Backroad Status

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        Directions to unchained-229647 trailhead (38.834160, -106.062160)
        View on Discover Map

        Photos

        18 more »
        mtb
        139 |
        May 19, 2025 @ 2:15pm
        May 19, 2025
        mtb
        295 |
        Oct 1, 2023 @ 4:23pm
        Oct 1, 2023
        mtb
        486 |
        May 3, 2023 @ 9:46am
        May 3, 2023
        mtb
        382 |
        Jul 14, 2022 @ 5:03pm
        Jul 14, 2022

        Videos

        7 more »
        UNCHAINED - cut with Lynn, Clyde, Fort Rock,...
        mtb
        14:57 | 197 | Oct 14, 2023 , Buena Vista
        Unchained Trail Buena Vista - Black &...
        mtb
        14:09 | 518 | Jan 29, 2023 , Buena Vista
        Is this the best MTB Trail in Colorado?...
        mtb
        15:08 | 472 | Oct 10, 2022 , Buena Vista
        Unchained - A ride through BV
        mtb
        9:09 | 439 | Dec 17, 2021 , Buena Vista

        Trail Lists

        Routes with this trail

        47
        Best of Buena Vista
        ★ 4.0 • 24 miles • 2,055 ft • 22 • Shuttled •
        This route highlights the best trails within the and Whipple Trail Systems in the most efficient and...
        36
        Midland Unchained Loop
        ★ 4.0 • 8 miles • 769 ft • 11 •
        This is a fun 8-mile loop that incorporates the best of . If you’re still feeling frisky at the end of ,...
        4.2 ★★★★★
        32 Ratings
        5 ★ 66%
        4 ★ 9%
        3 ★ 9%
        2 ★ 9%
        1 ★ 6%

        24 Reviews & Comments

        bschmidt006
        Sweet trail, watch out for a few rock rolls that end in drops, I jumped over my bike on one because I'd trusted that they all roll out and wasn't ready for the drop. I got lost a few times on the big rock slabs, wish they'd put paint arrows on them. If you do Django and Crank n Hammer / Camp Elevation this isn't too much of a step up.
        uphillarch
        This trail is excellent! The rare build that's as much fun on an enduro bike as it is on an xc rocket. Kudos to the builders!
        hoistycc hoistycc
        This trail is SO MUCH FUN! The more
        Technical options are well-marked and obviously have easier options. A ton of fun especially once you know the lines!

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        Nearby Trails

        Midland Trail System

        • By mtbjunkieTF Pro & contributors
        • #229647 - 5,837 views

        Frequently Asked Questions

        ▼ Where is Unchained located?
        Unchained is located in Midland Trail System, Buena Vista, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Midland Trail System trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 38.83416, -106.06216.
        ▼ How hard is Unchained?
        Unchained is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 1.3%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Unchained?
        Unchained has 304 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 547 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 8,293 ft to 8,551 ft.
        ▼ Is Unchained a point to point trail?
        Unchained is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Unchained?
        Unchained is 3.6 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Unchained?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Unchained. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Unchained?
        Unchained is best visited during: April - November.
        ▼ How do I access Unchained? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Unchained are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride Unchained?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 47 minutes to ride Unchained. The trail is 3.6 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is Unchained?
        Unchained is a very popular trail. There have been 2,303 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 2,355 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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