🚴‍♂️ FoCo Rides You’ll Want to Try ASAP

You’d think picking a favorite bike trail in Fort Collins would be easy… but locals had other ideas. Turns out, it depends on how hard you want to push, how far you want to go, and what kind of ride you’re chasing. Stick around—because the “best” trail might not be what you expect.

What kind of ride are you usually going for?

Chill trail cruise

Road ride with some speed

Long-distance adventure ride

Click an option to vote

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🚴‍♂️ FoCo Rides Locals Actually Love

Horsetooth Reservoir

If you’ve ever tried to pick a “best” bike trail in Fort Collins, you already know… it’s kind of impossible. It depends on your mood, your bike, your tolerance for hills (or pain 😅), and whether you’re chasing views, flow, or a full-on leg burner.

So instead of one answer, here’s what locals actually keep coming back to—broken down by riding style:

🌄 For the “I Like a Challenge” Crowd

Foothills Trail (Horsetooth area)

This one came up a lot—and for good reason. It’s technical, punchy, and full of features like rock gardens, climbs, and descents that’ll keep you on your toes.

👉 Translation: fun if you’re experienced… humbling if you’re not.

🏔️ Mountain Bikers’ Go-To Loops

Maxwell → Shoreline → Timber (East Horsetooth side)

This combo is basically a local favorite circuit:

Climb Maxwell to the reservoir
Drop into Shoreline for flow + some spicy rock sections
Link over to Timber for a shorter, techy finish

It’s one of those rides where you can mix and match depending on how much energy (or courage) you have left.

🌿 Low-Key Flow + Easy Access

Mason Trail (in town)

Not every ride needs to be extreme. Mason gets love for being:

Smooth
Scenic
Super accessible

Perfect for cruising, commuting, or stacking miles without thinking too hard.

🚵‍♂️ “Quick Hit” Trails

Maxwell (again… because it’s that useful)

Locals treat Maxwell like a go-to when they just want to ride without overplanning. It connects well, rides well, and gives you just enough elevation to feel it.

🧗‍♂️ “Earn Your Descent” Routes

Coyote Ridge / Blue Sky (with caution 😅)

These trails sparked mixed reviews:

Big climbs
Loose rock
Not always beginner-friendly

Some riders love the grind… others swear it off forever.

🌲 Worth the Drive Picks

Lory State Park trails / Soapstone Prairie

When locals want fewer crowds and bigger adventure:

Lory = classic MTB terrain, variety
Soapstone = remote, rugged, wide-open feel

🚴‍♀️ Road Ride Favorites

For the pavement crowd, these loops came up:

Horsetooth Reservoir Loop – scenic + steady climbing
Spring Canyon → Cathy Fromme → Front Range → Boyd Lake – long, rolling, and fast
Stove Prairie Loop – a real leg test with views to match

🧠 The Real Answer…

The “best” trail in Fort Collins isn’t one trail—it’s how everything connects.

That’s the magic here. You can:

Start in town
Link trails together
End up somewhere totally different

…and build a ride that’s exactly what you want that day.

If you’re just getting started: try Maxwell + Shoreline.

If you’re feeling bold: head into the foothills.

If you’re just vibing: Mason’s always there for you.

FoCo’s not short on trails… just time to ride them all.

🐐 Rocky Heard You…

He saw what you were excited about this week — and he decided to share a few can’t-miss events over on Instagram. If you like visuals, behind-the-scenes moments, and quick hits of what’s happenin’, this one’s for you.

📸 See what he’s sharing → 📍 Fort Collins

Give it a tap, a like, or a share — Rocky notices 👀

What's Happenin' in Fort Collins

Monday, March 30

Quickening: Aesthetic Encounters and the Ecological Imagination - 551 W Pitkin St, Fort Collins | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Ticketed

Average Joe & Jane: Bowling League - 830 N College Ave, Fort Collins | 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Ticketed

Beer & Bingo - 2724 McClelland Drive Unit 190, Fort Collins | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Ticketed

Tuesday, March 31

Seguir Cantando (Keep Singing) - MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver | | Ticketed

Trivia Tuesdays! - 5 Old Town Square, Fort Collins | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM | Ticketed

Maxline Trivia - 2724 McClelland Drive Unit 190, Fort Collins | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM | Ticketed

Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar

Real Talk ☕

What’s Happenin’ is 100% free and independently run (yep, it’s just us). If this newsletter helps you discover cool things around town, your support helps keep it going and growing. We truly appreciate any and all love. Thank you for being part of the community.

👉 Contribute to What’s Happenin’

💼 Local Jobs Worth Checking Out

You asked for it — we delivered. In our recent poll, a bunch of you said you’d love a tiny job board in the newsletter, so here it is. We believe great communities connect people to great opportunities.

Part-time

Data Entry Specialist & Feedback Contributor - $750/Week at Apex Focus Group Inc. | Fort Collins

Full-time

Sr Supervisor, Maintenance at City of Fort Collins | Fort Collins

Computer Services Manager at Larimer County | Fort Collins

👉 More Jobs Here →

🏡 Featured Listing of the Week

Dreaming of a new address? Each week, we’re spotlighting a standout home in town — from charming bungalows to modern builds and everything in between.

👉 View This Week’s Listing

💘 Date Spot in Fort Collins

Fort Collins dates hit that sweet spot between charming and adventurous. Wander Old Town Fort Collins for coffee, shops, and easy people-watching, or keep it classic with a picnic at City Park. Craft beer lovers can settle in at New Belgium Brewing, while outdoorsy pairs can chase sunset views at Horsetooth Reservoir.

👉 Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. 💌

👉 Vote for your favorite Fort Collins date spot.

🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?

Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs.

🧠 Need a brain break?

Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.

🗳 Now Voting: Fort Collins’ Best Breweries

Pastries had their moment. Now it’s beer time.

We’re opening voting for FoCo’s best breweries — a city that knows its craft. Classic pours, small batches, and taprooms that feel like home.

Got a spot you swear by?

👉 Vote and help crown FoCo’s best.

👋 Catch You on the Trail

Whether you’re chasing climbs, cruising through town, or linking up trails like a local, FoCo’s got a ride for you. Forward this to a biking buddy and start planning your next loop. Got a favorite trail we missed? Send it our way—we’re always adding to the list.

Keep the recs coming, keep voting, and if you’ve got a park, trail, or tiny green space you think belongs on the shortlist, just hit reply. I read every single one.

👉 See you Wednesday for more FoCo finds

— Ben

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🚴 FoCo’s Favorite Bike Trails (It’s Not Just One)

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