Roaring Fork River Trail & Cardiff Tour
Bike the gold medal waters of the Roaring Fork River and visit historic Cardiff. This scenic ride is flat, shaded, and only about 3 miles in length if you come back across the Sunlight bridge, or approximately 6 miles if you meander to Historic Cardiff and the Coke Ovens. This ride is within the city limits and offers easy access to shops and restaurants, as well as parks and picnic areas. Bring along your fishing poles if you want!
Trail Highlights
Keep your eyes pealed for the local flora and fauna. Some of Colorado’s prettiest wildflowers grow along this river bank. Also, the Roaring Fork River is a spying ground for Bald Eagles. They are often seen early morning and late afternoon soaring above the river as they search for food.
The trail begins at Two Rivers Park where you’ll enjoy the confluence of the Colorado and the Roaring Fork Rivers. This park has a picnic facility, skate park, baseball field (aka kite flying field) and more. From here, wind south along the river past Rivers Restaurant, following Old Grand Avenue.
Cross the Cardiff Bridge, to the Historic Township of Cardiff: circa 1883. Stop in at the Old Schoolhouse, then on to the Grand River Coal & Coke Company Ovens. The coke ovens were used to refine coal into coke, the purest of coal byproducts and the most valuable coal product in the 1880-90’s. In 1887, 240 coke ovens produced 65,000 tons of coke per year in Cardiff.
Recommended Options
If you just have an hour, take off and ride along the Roaring Fork!
If you just have an hour or so to ride, rent a bike by the hour and take off on the Roaring Fork River Trail. This local loop starts at Two Rivers park, a short distance from the Canyon Bikes office, and heads south along the river for about 1.5 miles. Cross the river at the Sunlight Bridge and head back to the shop following the river on the opposite side.
This is a great loop for small children because the grade is mostly flat, plus you will find playground equipment and picnic areas at 2 different points along the way.
If you have more time, we recommend the Roaring Fork River and Cardiff Package.
This package includes a full day bike rental, biking tour map, plus a souvenir water bottle and snack. You'll ride along the Roaring Fork and then on out to Cardiff. Take along a picnic, fishing pole (the Roaring Fork is catch and release), and some binoculars and spy the eagles as the hunt for dinner!
Either option, you will enjoy Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork River at your own pace.
| Historic Glenwood Springs Package | |
| Adult Mountain or Comfort Bike | $25.00 |
| Road or Full Suspension Bike | $49.00 |
| All Tandems (includes 2 riders) | $49.00 |
| Youth (12 & younger) | $20.00 |
| Trailers & Trailer Bikes | $20.00 |