Lupine - Swerve Loop

About

The Lupine - Swerve Loop is a moderate mountain biking route on Animas Mountain near Durango, Colorado. The trail combines the mellow climb of Lupine with the flowy descent of Swerve, creating a high-value loop for riders. The route begins at the 4th Avenue trailhead, accessible via East 8th Street in Durango. Riders climb classic switchbacks before connecting to a doubletrack and turning left onto Lupine. The trail meanders along the west rim, offering views of the La Plata Mountains, before reaching a junction with Merve. Continuing straight keeps riders on Lupine’s re-worked singletrack, which features grade reversals and steady uphill pedaling. After passing connections to Merve and Vulture, riders turn right to reach Swerve. The descent on Swerve is characterized by berms and rollers, providing a fun ride down to the base. At the bottom, riders can rejoin Lupine or choose to descend via the steep, rocky doubletrack known as the Animas Mountain Trail. The loop covers approximately 5.5 miles and typically takes about one hour to complete. Parking is available at the trailhead, and pets are permitted. The trail is generally open from April through October, with specific wildlife closures on lower trails running from December 1 to April 30. The surface is primarily singletrack and doubletrack, rebuilt by Durango Trails in recent years.