A former mining camp settled on the Rocky Mountains’ Roaring Fork River, the tony town of Aspen is a recreational mecca. Popular in winter for its four ski areas — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Snowmass, and Buttermilk — in summer the area boasts vibrant culture and summer recreation opportunities. Take advantage of the extensive network of bike paths and mountain trails for running in Aspen.
The best road running options in Aspen are the Rio Grande Trail, the East of Aspen Trail along the Roaring Fork River, and the path along Owl Creek Rd. between Snowmass Village and Aspen Mountain. Or, take a loop around the Victorian-era buildings of town. We’ve also put together a few great options for trail running, including on Aspen and Snowmass mountains, and some other more ‘runnable’ trails in the area. There are also great choices for those wanting a real challenge and some elevation. This map is an excellent resource.
Aspen’s bike paths double as an easy way to travel around town. For faster transportation, use the Roaring Fork Transit Authority busses, or the free Downtowner shuttle which runs around central Aspen and Aspen Mountain. Most of our routes are easily accessible right from town, so you’ll have the awesome option of exploring much of Aspen on foot. Note that Aspen sits at 8,000 feet, so altitude is a serious factor.