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Rist Canyon

Rist Canyon

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

Rist Canyon

Name: Rist Canyon
Rating: 2

Recommended by 3 road cyclists

This Highlight goes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Roosevelt National Forest

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Location: Larimer County, Colorado, United States

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Best Road Cycling Rides to Rist Canyon

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1. Rist Canyon and Masonville loop via Bingham Hill — Fort Collins

79.3km

04:42

1,370m

Expert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

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2. Rist Canyon – Masonville Mercantile loop from Loveland

102km

05:19

1,230m

Expert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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3. Old Town Square – Bingham Hill loop from Mountain & Shields

84.8km

04:37

1,260m

Expert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

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Tips

Jamie S.

May 30, 2024

Rist Canyon is a popular and challenging climb known for its scenic views and demanding ascent. The route starts near Fort Collins, in Bellvue, Colorado and climbs a little over 10 miles, with an elevation gain of 2,700 feet, and an average grade of 5%, with sections up to 12%. The ride offers beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains, forests, and meadows, and you can often see animals like mule deer (so be careful if descending!). The road is paved but is sometimes quite narrow, but fortunately traffic is fairly light. The climb begins with a gradual incline that becomes steeper, with the middle section offering consistent grades that test your endurance. The final few miles are the steepest. Notably, the top of Rist Canyon is actually higher than Estes Park, making it a significant achievement. Many cyclists do this route as an out-and-back, but it’s also possible to loop it by rolling down to Masonville and tackling a few short climbs back to Fort Collins.

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Details

Informations

Distance 15.9 km

Uphill 800 m

Downhill 240 m

Weather

Wednesday 5 November

14°C

6°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

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Location: Larimer County, Colorado, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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Old Town Square

Horsetooth Rock

Bingham Hill

Skyline Picnic Area

Sunrise picnic area & beach access

North Loop Trail

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Rist Canyon

1. Rist Canyon and Masonville loop via Bingham Hill — Fort Collins

2. Rist Canyon – Masonville Mercantile loop from Loveland

3. Old Town Square – Bingham Hill loop from Mountain & Shields

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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