Best Fall Foliage Bike Rides

Although summer is often considered the best time for riding, fall has lots to offer. With changing colors and cooler temperatures, there are amazing cycling adventures awaiting you! We’ve put together some of the United States’ best fall cycling routes. Keep reading to learn more and check out our Komoot Collection with all of these routes so you can get riding!

1. Flash of Gold - Steamboat Springs, Colorado
To start off, we have the Flash of Gold trail in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This is an 11.3 mile, round trip, mountain biking trail lined with beautiful aspen trees. These aspen trees give the trail its name, as their leaves transform into a stunning yellow, gold, and orange mosaic in the fall months.The route can get technical, as it transitions from smooth switchbacks into a narrow & steep trail up a mountain pass. However, if you are up for the challenge, this route is a perfect option for those looking to mountain bike through beautiful fall foliage.

2. South Boundary Trail - Angel Fire, New Mexico
Our next trail is also in the western part of the country. The South Boundary Trail, located in Angel Fire, New Mexico, is another breathtaking mountain biking trail that we recommend checking out this fall. It is a bit longer - 21 miles one way - but is an exceptional trail for those looking for a rewarding challenge. The route takes you up 10,000 feet in elevation gain but has spectacular foliage and great views. Angel Fire can be difficult to get to, so there is a bike shop in Taos, NM that shuttles cyclists out to this trail.

3. Natchez Trace Parkway & Blue Ridge Parkway - Multiple States
Looking towards the eastern part of the country, there are two major tree-lined roads that make for some spectacular fall riding. The first is the Natchez Trace Parkway. This is a 444 mile road that runs through Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Also in this area is the Blue Ridge Parkway, another long and scenic road that runs about 600 miles from start to finish through states such as Virginia and North Carolina. Either of these routes could make for a fall bike-packing trip or simply a beautiful day ride through the trees.

4. Swamp Rabbit Trail - Greenville, South Carolina
You can still do some leaf peeping even further south. The Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina is the perfect opportunity for our southerners to catch some colorful leaves. This is a 28 mile long multi-use greenway that runs through cute towns and wonderful scenery. It is definitely worth checking out!

5. Middlefork Savanna Trail - Lake Forest, Illinois
We have yet to touch on any trails in the central United States! Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, is the Middlefork Savanna Trail. This gravel trail is relatively short, only 4.5 miles, making it the perfect fall adventure for families or individuals looking to get out there casually.

6. The Great Gravel Bike-Packing Route - Multiple States
Our final recommendation is a beautiful, and long, gravel bike-packing route that takes you from Washington D.C to Pittsburgh, PA. Spanning about 337 miles from start to finish, this bike route is guaranteed to both challenge and awe you. We’ve dubbed it as “the Great Gravel Bike-Packing Route,” but you are welcome to call it whatever you’d like.

These are just some introductory recommendations. Don’t forget that many US National Parks are open year-round and offer spectacular scenery. We have fully-made collections on our Komoot Page for the Great Smoky Mountains and for New River Gorge - check those out if you are looking for additional recommendations! No matter how you choose to get out there this fall, we hope you do it safely and don’t forget to have lots of fun!

Citations:

• Kuta, Sarah. “These 11 Routes across the U.S. Have the Ultimate Fall Foliage Views for Your next Ride.” Bicycling, 18 Sept. 2020, www.bicycling.com/skills-tips/a34028738/best-rides-to-see-fall-foliage/
• Parks, Shoshi, et al. “12 Best Fall Foliage Bike Trails in the US.” Time Out United States, Time Out, 21 Sept. 2022, www.timeout.com/usa/things-to-do/best-fall-foliage-bike-trails-usa.
• “Swamp Rabbit Trail .” Swamp Rabbit Trail | Greenville, SC - Official Website, Greenville, South Carolina, www.greenvillesc.gov/316/Swamp-Rabbit-Trail. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.