Smuggler Mountain Rd.

About

Smuggler Mountain Road is a moderate, 6.3-mile unpaved road in Aspen, Colorado, serving as a primary mountain biking route to the Hunter Creek Valley. The trail climbs from approximately 7,890 feet toward the summit, offering a straightforward up-and-down profile suitable for intermediate riders. Accessible from April through October, the road remains open to vehicles and provides parking at the base near Mollie Gibson Park. Riders can follow the dirt surface past historic sites including the Pelland Mine and Dellas Mine, with options to connect to singletrack networks like the Mascotte 99 Trail and the Arbaney Traverse. The route is dog-friendly, requiring leashes and waste disposal, and features amenities such as the Robbie Wade Picnic Area and the Smuggler Mountain Overlook at 1.44 miles from the trailhead. While some sections may be steep and rocky, the overall difficulty is classified as moderate, with an average completion time of 14 minutes for shorter segments. The road connects to the White River National Forest trail system, allowing for extended rides toward Warren Lakes or Lenado. In winter, the unplowed road supports fat biking and snowshoeing alongside traditional mountain biking use.