One-way Distance: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 8639 - 8810 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 1 hr. (biking)
Trailhead: Valley Floor
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic valley
The Valley Floor trail is located in Telluride, Colorado. The trail begins at the northern end of the San Miguel River trail where it travels through the forest along the west side of the Telluride Valley. Eventually coming out of the trees the trail passes through green meadows as it reaches its northernmost point near Highway 145. At that point there is a trailhead as well as a connection to the paved Telluride Bike Path. From there the Valley Floor trail loops back toward town traveling this time on the east side of the valley and the San Miguel River until after several miles it reconnects with the San Miguel River trail and comes to an end.
The Valley Floor trail begins at the end of the San Miguel River trail which is 1.5 miles from the trailhead on Highway 145.
A well established singletrack leads northward through the grassy meadows at the edge of the treeline.
After traveling out in the open for a short distance the trail moves just inside the forest and continues along where the base of the mountain meets the valley floor.
While most of the Valley Floor trail only requires 'beginner' mountain bike skills there are a few spots along the mountain where tree roots and outcropping rocks present more of an 'intermediate' challenge. Overall though the trail can be considered very easy.
As the trail comes out of the trees there are several boardwalks and short bridges that fairy the trail through the wetlands.
For the rest of the distance the trail remains out in the open as it trades the seclusion of the forest for grassy meadows.
At the 1.5 mile point the trail reaches the trailhead along Highway 145 and begins looping back toward town. To continue following the Valley Floor stay on the trail that is just inside the fence that drops down and crosses the river. To transition to the paved Telluride Bike Path look for the trail that is between the fence and the highway.
The Valley Floor trail has a whole new feel to it as it heads back toward Telluride along the east side of the river.
It's remarkable that enough people felt the need to preserve this part of the Telluride Valley rather than to develop it.
Going in this direction the mountains around Telluride provide a beautiful backdrop to the river and meadows.
