As Colorado motorcycle accident lawyers, we know that a ride through the Centennial State offers the chance to enjoy breathtaking views while learning about Colorado’s history. The best Colorado motorcycle rides include:
Mount Blue Sky Scenic & Historic Byway
Mount Blue Scenic Highway spans 28 miles and reaches an elevation of 14,130 feet. It’s North America’s highest paved road, which is reason enough for motorcycle riders to seek it out. However, the route offers even more. The views from this highway initially provide a close look at attractive trees and foliage. When you continue, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of valleys by glaciers and the Continental Divide.
(Note: You need a time-entry permit to ride this stretch. You can start by making a reservation online. Permits are available at the gate.)
Trail Ridge Road Scenic & Historic Byway
Trail Ridge Road is among the most scenic motorcycle rides through Rocky Mountain National Park. It links the towns of Grand Divide and Estes Park.
Estes Park is home to the famous Stanley Hotel. Motorcycle fans who also enjoy horror novels may want to stop by the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.”
(Note: You may need a timed entry reservation to enter the park at certain times of the year. You can book your reservation online.)
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway
Traveling along this stretch gives a motorcyclist the chance to explore some of Colorado’s history. This byway runs through San Luis, the oldest surviving community in the state. It also showcases Our Lady of Guadalupe, the oldest Catholic church in Colorado. The trail is 129 miles long. You could cover it in three hours if you ride right through. However, you could spend three days exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, King’s Turquoise Mine, Zapata Falls, and more.
Santa Fe Trail Scenic & Historic Byway
Pioneers once relied on the Santa Fe Trail when traveling west in the 19th century. Now, the trail offers a scenic drive providing glimpses of historic locations like Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. Those wanting to explore these locations more thoroughly can certainly pull off the road and do so.
Santa Fe Trail is almost entirely straight. It’s an ideal motorcycle ride for someone who may want an easy experience with minimal turns and curves. However, the full trip is four hours, which may be a little on the long side for some.
San Juan Skyway Scenic & Historic Byway
As the name implies, the San Juan Skyway is a high-elevation motorcycle ride. Throughout its length, the stretch works its way through numerous mountain passes, reaching elevations of 11,000 feet or more.
Consider this ride if you’re looking for a route offering a grand view of Colorado’s mountains. The peaks you may spot along this ride have earned a reputation for being more colorful and striking than others in a state almost universally known for its gorgeous mountain ranges.
This is one of the longer rides on this list. Most of the trips here usually take two to three hours to complete. Riding all of San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway may take about six hours, so plan accordingly. If you get into a motorcycle crash, contact our Denver motorcycle accident lawyer, with offices all over Colorado, today.
Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway
All the rides on this list are rich in history, but the Unaweep/Tabeguache route may particularly appeal to history buffs. Not only did it play a role in transporting uranium mined for the first A-bomb, but its canyon walls have also been home to ancient fossils from long before human civilization. You can pick up this trail south of Grand Junction at Whitewater. Take a ride down this road to explore everything from World War II to Precambrian history. And you’ll see stunning canyon views, too.
Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic & Historic Byway
Pawnee Pioneer Trails is another relatively flat ride. However, that doesn’t mean the views it offers aren’t spectacular.
While riding on Pawnee Pioneer Trails, you’ll spot two buttes that have become iconic unofficial monuments of Colorado’s prairie. This is another ride that may appeal to history lovers. Riding here gives you a chance to view the landscape many pioneers explored during the early days of Colorado’s history and imagine what it must have been like back then.
Top of the Rockies Scenic & Historic Byway
Leadville is the U.S.’s highest-elevation unincorporated town, at 10,200 feet. It’s just one of the attractions you may explore when driving through the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway.
Driving the entire stretch of this 115-mile route also involves crossing the Continental Divide not once or twice, but three times. It even nearly brings riders to the point where the Colorado River begins. And you can see Colorado’s two tallest mountains standing side by side: Elbert and Massive.
Independence Pass
You need to plan ahead if you wish to ride Independence Pass. It’s closed to visitors except from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Winter weather makes it infeasible to keep the road open during the year’s colder months. Even when the road is open, check weather conditions to avoid hazards.
Riding this stretch is a treat for anyone who appreciates the beauty of Colorado’s Aspen trees. In fact, Aspen is located along Independence Pass. This 32-mile ride will be one you won’t soon forget. It’s a twisty route with few guardrails, but the stunning aspen groves and the Roaring Fork River are worth the ride.
Frontier Pathways Scenic & Historic Byway
You may enjoy a ride down the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway if you’re looking for a general trip that combines many of the qualities all these scenic rides collectively share. For example, everyone from Spanish fur trappers to various Native American tribes used the foothills surrounding it at different points throughout Colorado’s history.
Starting in Pueblo, the ride is history-rich from the very beginning. It quickly leads riders into San Isabel National Forest, showcasing some of the amazing scenery that defines Colorado’s landscape.
Contact a Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Obeying traffic laws and exercising caution can help you stay safe while navigating any of the best Colorado motorcycle rides. However, it’s possible to get hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our experienced personal injury team can review your case and explain your options. Contact us online today for a free case review to learn more about what a Colorado motorcycle accident attorney can do for you.
