Trail Ridge Road, CO
Reaching the highest summits can be troublesome on a motorcycle, especially if you don’t care for off-road riding. Take the Trail Ridge Road, though, and you scale the mountains on any motorcycle that can handle grades of 7%.
This 48-mile section of US 34 in Colorado takes you across the Continental Divide. Although there are a few roads that get higher than Trail Ridge, this is nonetheless the highest continuous paved road in North America (according to the National Park Service).
That means there won’t be pesky gravel interrupting your ride.
Trail Ridge Road connects Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Between them, it climbs more than 4,000 feet, reaching a high point of just above 12,000 feet around the Lava Cliffs Overlook.
From these lofty heights well above the tree line open mind-bogglingly glorious views. The majestic Rocky Mountains stretch far off into the distance under an open blue sky, with rugged cliffs formed by ancient lava flows adding unique details to the scenery.
Along Trail Ridge Road are numerous pullouts and overlooks. Riding the road takes about two hours (due to the speed limits) but you can easily stretch the ride much longer if you stop to take in every stunning vista.
Nature’s beauty continues on both sides of the mountains. Around Estes Park and Grand Lake, you’ll motor through picturesque forests and rivers, with plenty of trailheads for hiking.
As you ride Trail Ridge Road, you get to enjoy fabulous curves as the pavement slithers its way up the steep mountainsides. Perhaps the most entertaining section is the one west of Milner Pass, where you’ll plow through multiple back-to-back hairpins.
On the topic of those hairpins, take your time and obey the speed limit. There are no guardrails to block the steep roadside drop-offs, so careless riding can end in disaster.
Due to the extreme winter conditions, the pavement can be rough in some places. In the lower sections, you may also encounter wandering wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled.
With all that said, if you’re rushing through Trail Ridge Road, you’re simply doing it wrong. Ride carefully and take your time—that way you can properly appreciate some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in all of America.
Note that Trail Bridge Road is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, which requires a vehicle permit. For motorcycles, the permit fee runs at $25 at the time of writing.
Points of Interest
Overlooks
Trail Ridge Road has more pullouts and overlooks than I have space to list here. Each offers magnificent views, so you should definitely make a point of stopping at least at a few of them.
Just to give you a couple of examples, the Rainbow Curve Overlook offers an expansive vista to the north. You can admire the forested valley where Sundance and Chiquita creeks flow into Fall River.
The aforementioned Lava Cliffs Overlook is another worthwhile stop. Here, you’ll see steep, ragged cliffs that are the result of lava spewed out from volcanic rifts millions of years ago.
Beaver Meadow Rd
If Trail Ridge Road didn’t satisfy your thirst for stunning scenery, add the seven-mile-long Beaver Meadow Road to your ride. Together, these two complete the Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway, which is classified an All-American Road.
Along Beaver Meadow Road, you’ll find even more beautiful views of the mountains and forests. You’ll also pass the Beaver Meadow Visitor Center, the primary visitor center of the Rocky Mountain National Park.