Fort Collins has several trails for walking, jogging, in-line skating, biking, or a leisurely stroll. The trails are maintained year round and snow is removed from the trails during the winter months. Trails serve as commuter routes for many students and residents as well. The beautiful scenery that can be enjoyed along the system often makes one forget that they are in urban Fort Collins.
The Poudre Trail meanders along the Poudre River for 10.6 miles. It currently runs between the Overland Trail at Lyons Park and the Environmental Learning Center on E. Drake. Expansion of this trail east toward I-25 is expected over the next several years. Maps are available at local bike shops and recreation facilities or visit FCBikes .
The Spring Creek Trail follows Spring Creek through several parks in mid Fort Collins. It currently extends from W. Drake Road to the confluence of Spring Creek and the Poudre River where it joins the Poudre Trail. The Spring Creek Trail extends through a new underpass of Taft Hill Road. This highly popular trail continues to Spring Canyon Community Park and the Pineridge Natural Area. The Spring Creek Trail is 6.6 miles. Funding is from Conservation Trust (Lottery) revenue.
The Mason Trail serves as a convenient route in the central core in the City of Fort Collins. Stretching from the Spring Creek Trail to south of Harmony Road adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad corridor, the trail offers a solution to improve safety and mobility for cyclists and pedestrians traveling north and south of the city. This trail will also connect to the other trails located within the city, such as the Spring Creek Trail and the Fossil Creek Trail. For more information, please visit the Mason page.
The Foothills Trail is a 6.8 mile earthen trail that travels along the foothills parallel to Horsetooth Reservoir from Dixon Reservoir at Pineridge Natural Area to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and Michand Lane. This trail is on rugged terrain.
The Fossil Creek Trail currently runs through the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area along Fossil Creek. It will extend west and north to meet the Spring Creek Trail, and east to Fossil Creek Reservoir. New segments will open as right-of-ways are established and construction finishes. The Fossil Creek Trail is 2.4 paved miles.
Power Trail - This trail follows the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad south from Edora Park to south of Harmony Road via Golden Meadows Park and McMurry Ave.. Future phases will extend the 10-foot concrete trail and 5-foot gravel path south beyond Harmony Road eventually to Loveland’s trail system. Funding is from Conservation Trust (Lottery) revenue. The Power Trail is 2.75 paved miles.
The Adopt-A-Trail program utilizes the resources of citizens to assist the City in maintenance of the trail system. Short sections of trail are adopted by individuals, companies, clubs and other entities to patrol their section for trash, debris and litter. Contact the Park Maintenance Division for information on how to sign up for the program. A small sign is placed on the trail identifying you as the adoptor of that particular section. There may be a wait, as this popular program is taken advantage of by many groups.
Other trails that are planned include spur trails from the three major trails and cooperative trails along the Poudre River to Greeley and segments south to Loveland. You can enjoy the trails year round. So start today and relax on one of Fort Collins great multi-recreational wonders.
Fort Collins bike maps
Future trail expansion projects
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