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Betasso Preserve Mountain Bike Trail
Boulder, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
28 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 9/7/11 by nejmensi |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 3 miles | Global Rank: #808 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 195 | Wishlist: 76 |
| Avg. Speed: 5.97 mph | Avg. Time: 0hr 47min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +886/-730 ft |
Directions:
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Description: Betasso is a quick smooth loop through forested hills, with plenty of tight turns and speedy downhill sections. The climbs and descents alternate enough to allow even a beginner to have a good time on this track. In some places the trail is cut right into the side of the mountain, so you are looking at a serious drop off if you\'re not paying attention. The trail has some nice views and is well maintained. The trail directions alternates monthly, so make sure you read the signs at the trailhead. Regardless of the trail direction, you will start off descending, and finish up climbing. Bikes are not allowed on this trail on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Description: Betasso is a quick smooth loop through forested hills, with plenty of tight turns and speedy downhill sections. The climbs and descents alternate enough to allow even a beginner to have a good time on this track. In some places the trail is cut right into the side of the mountain, so you are looking at a serious drop off if you\'re not paying attention. The trail has some nice views and is well maintained. The trail directions alternates monthly, so make sure you read the signs at the trailhead. Regardless of the trail direction, you will start off descending, and finish up climbing. Bikes are not allowed on this trail on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
added on August 26, 2005 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Mount Falcon Park in Morrison
Colorado Trail / Kenosha To Breckenridge in Breckenridge
Prime Cut in Fruita
Hall Ranch in Lyons
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by jlplummer97 on November 20, 2011
No extreme technical sections but a fun trail. Can't ride on Wednesdays or Saturdays and the lower loop changes direction. The upper loop is more fun than the lower section and the connection trail is better than both loops.
reviewed by nejmensi on September 6, 2011
Been riding this regularly for many years. Keep coming back for the great views and fun flow (particularly when trail is routed clockwise). Nice 50% decent, 50% climb. Tend to ride 2-3 fast loops or more given the relatively small (3 mile) loop... However, since the Benjamin loop was added in July, 2011, Betasso has taken on a new dimension. Awesome new 3 mile lollipop addition! Fun in either direction with minimal climbing and a sustainable and thoughtful design that expands on Betasso's original feel and flow. Very impressed! Add the Link Trial connector from Boulder Canyon, the occasional wild turkey, deer or bear sighting and you've got a nice all-rounder conveniently close to Boulder... It tends to be busy, particularly when students are in town, otherwise highly recommend, especially for those new to Boulder's trails...
* Review edited 9/6/2011
Similar Trail: Hall Ranch
reviewed by alyanne on September 4, 2011
**I am reviewing connector trail only** (is there a separate thread? does it not deserve one because its only 1.3 miles? it's def a double black diamond) So my second day mtb in boulder friend says, there a trail we can hit from the house. I think, cool-let's go. We take the 'creek trail' (paved), past the hills, then up a curvy road, and arrive at the trial head that is basically straight up a cliff. wtf. I walked my bike up 3/4, then sat out the top loop so I could catch my breath and prepare for the insane downhill, which i also walked my bike down about 1/4 for fear of losing my face in a nasty spill. I will compare every future trail I see to this one because it was the most insane mile of my life. when you see other riders jamming down the mountain in full armor and face mask, be afraid, very afraid. I hope one day I can stay on my bike the entire time.
Similar Trail: heil ranch
reviewed by mtnbikemujer on August 19, 2011
can anyone tell me if this trail is still not open on SAturdays???
reviewed by sparky1974 on July 14, 2011
Fun trail. Nothing fancy, nothing too hard. Good little climb at the end (counter clockwise.) Didn't see the sign saying that no bikes allowed on Wednesday and Saturday AFTER my ride was done. Good little after work/before dinner ride. GREAT views!
Similar Trail: Colt's Neck in Virginia
reviewed by Adam__Brown_ on June 28, 2011
Yep the normal trail is great. However I will write about the new section. I must say I don't like most things boulder, a city full of college students andMidwest transplants just makes me angry. However the way the new trail was put together is not only really fun it's smart and sustainable. I did a few laps and I will be back again, good job boulder.
Similar Trail: Lower loop crested butte
reviewed by dngrcnnn on May 2, 2011
Easy, potentially fast mostly singletrack right outside of Boulder. The downhill is fun, and the uphill isn't overly strenuous. One way bike traffic(alternating directions every month) makes it a great place to run a few laps, but hikers DO go both ways, so take care. I prefer the clockwise flow, so I tend to run it more often when that is the direction of the month.
reviewed by trek7k on June 21, 2010
Good trail, wish it was longer! Pretty smooth and fast, I'd rate this one between beginner and intermediate if I could. Not too much climbing here, fun ride for everyone. Not too crowded on a June weekday afternoon, nice scenery too.
reviewed by dannyboy5280 on May 26, 2010
This is a decent trail. Great for a close ride, and if you are tight on time you can make several loops. We averaged about a half hour per loop. However, figure I will post it one more place because I was retarded and missed it on here and at the trailhead, they discrminate in boulder, NO BIKES ON WED & SAT
Similar Trail: Highline Canal, South Platte Trail
reviewed by mwalsh23 on May 25, 2010
Great track near Boulder. I rated it more difficult even though most sections could be rated easiest. There are a few tricky narrow spots. Still, as long as you are aware of what days it's closed to bikers and can handle the afternoon/ weekend crowds, great track!
reviewed by bikeballs on November 10, 2009
This Trail is awesome simply because you can circle it as many time as you want. The only disappointing part of the trail is that you are forced to ride 1 way which is changed about once a month, and 1 way is more fun that the other.
reviewed by steve32300 on August 30, 2009
This trail reminds me of the practice loop at Slick Rock,short but still an awsome trail.It has a really cool feel about it with the smooth tree lined singletrack and gradual climbs and downhills,and the nice cozy feel of being out in the woods.Not too much technical stuff but there are some roots and rocks in places that keep it from feeling like a gravel bike path.
reviewed by mlang46 on July 23, 2009
This is a nice trail near Boulder but do to heavy use it has a number of ruts which can be dangerous so I would upgrade this trail from easy to intermediate. I actually find this trail harder to do than Buffalo Creek because of the ruts. Maybe I am prejudiced because I fell down the side of a hill after hitting a rut. I would not tale a raw beginner on this trail.
Similar Trail: Picture Rock much smoother
reviewed by Adrienne.Rosenberg on July 10, 2009
I really enjoyed this loop. It was a quick and dirty jump back into mountain biking for this year. I will definitely be using it in the future for fun laps. However, be warned if you are not familiar with the trail, be careful not to go down the Boulder canyon connection trail (you will know it if you cross over a street). While it definitely made my ride more exciting and challenging, it is off course as far as if you intended a breezy loop.
* Review edited 7/10/2009
reviewed by dannyboy5280 on June 8, 2009
rode (down) the boulder canyon connecter portion of this. there were some steep sections. good for beginners, the tech setions are short and have options. also good for most experienced riders, ust dont use your brakes and the trail gets interesting. very busy trail though
reviewed by kuala_tahan on October 19, 2008
Fun, quick trail. Rides fast. Ride the connector link up for a bigger challenge, it's a tough climb
reviewed by mcripe on August 3, 2008
A fun little trail, but lacks challenge. I think it is a good quick ride if your time constrained.
reviewed by traegerm on June 8, 2008
Great weekday ride (no wednesdays) quiet and scenic, fast and mostly non-technical and good practice run or start of the season ride.
Similar Trail: Walker Ranch has awesome technicals, and look out for a new multiuse connecting Heil and Hall it should be awesome fast XC
reviewed by BikeBecky on June 1, 2008
Popular trail with hikers and bikers but since bikers are all required to go the same direction, the popularity didn't pose a problem. Great downhill! Great views! Lots of fun. I'm going back for sure!
reviewed by skibum on October 6, 2007
This is a good trail to get newbies excited about the sport. It's a pretty ride, there's nothing scary, but it will provide just a bit of challenge for the uninitiated. It can be fun for others as well as there's an extended climb which can all be done in the middle ring. Ultimately, the short length makes this one not worth going out of your way for.
Similar Trail: If you like this, you'll probably like Rabbit Mountain
reviewed by arnolda14 on June 5, 2007
This trail is good. Not great but good. Its proxmity to Boulder gives is a couple points but the ride itself is nothing special. They have designated hiker only and biker only days (which I appreciate as much when I'm biking as I do when I'm hiking) so make sure you find out which day it is before you head up. This is a good place to take beginners, though imo, Mud Lake just a few miles up the canyon is much better for that purpose.
reviewed by hp on May 31, 2007
Fun ride for the beginner. Gives your legs a work out with a fun downhill to finish. Seeing that this one is a little short, you may want to ride it twice.
reviewed by Brent_LaGrange on September 12, 2006
2 miles goes pretty fast. Plan on making another round if the enforced direction is clockwise. Downhill sections are fast with frequent erosion burms.
reviewed by R3 on September 10, 2006
This trail is a blast. When I rode the trail, it was going clockwise. Really fast downhill out of the gate and some sweet singletrack climbing back up to the top. A "must" ride when visiting the Boulder area.
reviewed by encinoman on September 8, 2006
This is the only decent singletrack I have reached from my doorstep without bumming a four wheeled ride. If there are more I would like to know. I have not cleaned the first rocky climb begining at the railroad bridge, but will someday....when and where the rainbow ends. The alternative is riding a few more miles of blacktop to the begining of the hilltop loop. The trail gets busy and dusty, pack along some dust covers for your eyes if your not in the front.
reviewed by SenorBlanco on April 6, 2006
Good trail to hit at lunch or when you are short on time. Best part of the trail network is the connector from the canyon rd. (right before the tunnel). A pretty good workout to ride from Boulder up the creek path, hop on the road, up the Betasso Link Trail then do a lap or two and head back. The uni-directional trail is fun to rip down, just be courteous to hikers as there are already closures to bikes on Wed. & Saturday.
Similar Trail: Rabbit Mountain
reviewed by petersbike on September 14, 2005
I rode this in a clockwise direction . Some how I rode the whole trail accidentally in the big ring. This trail is so smooth, you can get going blazing fast. I've only done it once after having ridden the Switzerland ride. I am looking forward to riding it counterclockwise as friends seem to think that is the best direction.
Similar Trail: A buttery smooth trail in the midst of rocky Boulder.
reviewed by Rebus on August 28, 2005
Betasso is a popular trail for racers to go to work on speed stuff. It's narrow so it's uni-directional, but that shouldn't stop you from trying this trail. It's a fast fun ride on some of the finest singletrack in Boulder. Riding counter-clockwise, I enjoyed the long two miles of smooth, twisty descending, and even like the last 1/5 mile of climbing because it really gets your heartrate up if you try to maintain speed. I haven't ridden the trail clockwise yet, but the flow of this trail is so sweet, I'm sure it's just as much fun in that direction.
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