Name: Betasso Preserve
Rating: 4.1

“This run is easily accessible from Boulder and offers amazing singletrack with beautiful views.”

— Duncan Moore

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

To access, drive up Boulder Canyon turning right up Sugarloaf Road. Take your first right up Betasso Road. Once on Betasso Road you'll see parking for the trailhead on your left.

Need to Know

Recommended use Wednesdays and Saturdays due to mountain bike closure. If you choose to run on a day that bikes are allowed, it is recommended to pay attention to the direction of bike traffic, which is posted and run against bike traffic. This makes visibility for both parties better. Always be courteous to everyone using the trail.

Runner Notes

This route features smooth, hard-packed dirt with occasional rocks and roots.

Description

The trailhead offers a bathroom, picnic area, and plenty of parking. Unfortunately there is no access to drinking water.

The Canyon Loop opens up to a fork in the road. The trail is one giant loop and either direction is appropriate for travel.

Canyon Loop Trail totals 3.3 miles and begins on the rim of the preserve. The first half of the trail quickly drops in altitude and the second half of the trail is spent gaining altitude. The trail is mainly comprised of singletrack and has numerous opportunities for amazing views. The trail is made up of compact dirt with some rocks and roots showing.

Near the half waypoint of the Canyon Loop, the Benjamin Trail Link intersects. This is 0.75 miles of singletrack that brings you directly to the Benjamin Loop. The Benjamin Loop is by far the best part of this run offering 2.4 miles of heavily forested singletrack. The trail has similar signage as the Canyon Loop dictating direction of travel for bicycles. The trail is comprised of a series of switchbacks that gradually climb up the rim and then descend into another series of switchbacks. The trail is hard compact dirt with a bridge feature.

Contacts

Land Manager: Boulder County, CO - Parks and Open Space

Rate This Featured Run

Rate Quality

Rate Difficulty

Share This Run

Check In

Check-Ins

May 13, 2019

Chad Carter

6.7mi — 1h 10m

Apr 28, 2019

Georgina B

amazing run with a great variety of scenery! Lots of singletrack switchbacks (especially during the Benj Loop section). Sunday open to mountain bikes — 11h 30m

Apr 13, 2019

chossboss

Feb 24, 2019

Joe Allen

some snow drifts and some tiny patches of ice. this is a great beginner trail. trail intersection are well marked. 7.1mi — 1h 16m

Feb 13, 2019

Charly Jackson

6.5mi

Dec 11, 2018

Ryan Hull

A little bit of ice and snow were not going to scare me off of this. 11mi — 2h 00m

Oct 24, 2018

Sam Albert

7mi

Oct 17, 2018

Chris Mavricos

6.7mi — 1h 02m

Aug 4, 2018

Al Semjonovs

6.7mi

Aug 3, 2018

Dima Kalinchenko

9.5mi

Jul 12, 2018

Dima Kalinchenko

9.5mi

Jul 4, 2018

Nathan Rilla

Gorgeous setting. It’s a fun run that has gentle inclines and descents. Popular and is open for bikers except Wednesday’s and Saturdays. Slows it d… 7.2mi

Jul 3, 2018

Kristen Smith

7.1mi

Mar 10, 2018

Becky Campbell

bottom loop twice, lots of ice! 9.2mi

Jan 6, 2018

John Fomby

Dec 20, 2017

Shaf Jac

Trail still in great condition. 7.1mi

Dec 16, 2017