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Mountain biking trails

United States

Colorado

Routt County

Soda Mountain Trail – Steamboat Springs

Routes

Mountain biking trails

United States

Colorado

Routt County

Soda Mountain Trail – Steamboat Springs

Hard

2.5

(22)

riders

Soda Mountain Trail – Steamboat Springs

04:23

41.1km

1,040m

Mountain biking

If you're up for a real backcountry adventure and love technical climbs, then the Soda Mountain Trail is right for you.

Opened in 2020, this varied route is a real insider tip for anyone who likes to ride through remote places and enjoy viewpoints all to themselves. This path is definitely not overcrowded; you probably won’t meet many other people.

Start at the Dry Lake Trailhead and pedal up the beautiful Flash of Gold Trail. You’ll turn onto the G.E.M. Trail up Buffalo Mountain and back down to the start of the Soda Mountain Trail. This 5-kilometre (3 mi) path starts with an extremely demanding climb, which is steep, narrow and peppered with rocky passages. The closer you get to the summit ridge, the harder it gets.

Once you reach the 3,295-metre (10,810 ft) summit, you can take a breather, have a few snacks and enjoy the magnificent view.

The route then drops downhill for 8 kilometres (5 mi). The flowing single trail has a few difficult spots and amazing views. After you’ve descended 750 metres (2,460 ft), you’ll meet the Ditch Trail, which leads back to the starting point.

Last updated: December 17, 2025

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

Mount Zirkel Wilderness

Waypoints

Dry Lake Trailhead

Highlight • Parking

Although the parking lot is quite big, the trailhead fills up quickly especially when the aspens shimmer golden in late September. Check this webcam before you drive up to the Dry Lake Trailhead to find out if there are still lots available: share.earthcam.net/tJ90CoLmq7TzrY396Yd88PN-LGPG_7LcFwWSD6ItD3c!/steamboat_usda_forest_service_dry_lake_trailhead/camera/view_1 .

Tip by

28.8 km

Soda Mountain Trail – Climbing Section

Highlight • Climb

The climb up to Soda Mountain is fun, but really technical. The trail is steep, rocky and remote. Only a handful of mountain bikers will master all sections without a foot touch at the ground.

Tip by

29.4 km

Soda Mountain Summit

Highlight • Summit

Congratulations! You've reached the Soda Mountain Summit. Take a break and enjoy the sweeping views from the 10,810 foot summit before you tackle the downhill.

Tip by

30.2 km

Soda Mountain Trail – Downhill Section

Highlight • MTB Park

Compared to the technical climb the downhill part of the Soda Mountain Trail is relatively smooth and flowy. The trail offers a few features for advanced riders that are jumpable or rollable depending on your speed. But one thing is for sure: The views are absolutely mind blowing!

Tip by

41.1 km

Dry Lake Trailhead

Highlight • Parking

Tip by

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

37.1 km

3.90 km

116 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

39.7 km

1.43 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (3,270 m)

Lowest point (2,490 m)

Weather

Today

Thursday 30 July

26°C

12°C

45 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

November 10, 2023

If you're up for a real backcountry adventure and love technical climbs, then the Soda Mountain Trail is right for you.
﻿
Opened in 2020, this varied route is a real insider tip for anyone who likes to ride through remote places and enjoy viewpoints all to themselves. This path is definitely not overcrowded

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