Leadville's new Mineral Belt Trail is a well-planned and well-executed paved path accessing some of the most colorful and historic mining sites in the area.

This high-country, all-season path is more like a self-guided tour on wheels. It is one of the highest paved trails in Colorado and open to skiers in winter.

After crossing U.S. 24, the trail climbs southwest up "Rock" Hill with scenic views of the Sawatch Range and Leadville. The trail levels while traversing in and out of historic California Gulch where gold was first discovered in 1860. Mine sites are too numerous to mention but all are fun and historically interesting with surviving headframes and other structures.

Excellent maps with detailed descriptions are free and found in stores and restaurants. For more information, call (719) 486-3900.

If you go

Bicycle: City bike or mountain bike

Location: In Leadville and surrounding hillsides south and east of town

Surface: Asphalt pavement

Distance: The loop is 12.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy — but pedaling more than 10,000 feet

Ride Time: Two to four hours

To reach the Mineral Belt Trail: From Leadville, take Sixth Street west. Just before its end at CR-4, look for parking at the Lake County Recreation Complex, at 1000 W. Sixth St. The trail is just east of the complex. There are other trailheads pointed out on the map.

Other rides

-Sugarloaf Mountain Trail: The 10th Mountain Division was established in Aspen during World War II to train troops for winter combat. Their post-war legacy is a network of log cabins or "huts" that can be rented by the public. Several of the huts are now open for summertime use and many can be accessed by bike.

Hagerman Pass road is a steady 3 percent to 4 percent railroad grade. It bypasses a now-closed tunnel to summit at just under 12,000 feet before dropping into a valley. The route continues twisting through majestic high mountain peaks and valleys leading to the Betty Bear Hut. On the west side of Turquoise Lake 3 miles from the dam, follow signs onto FR 105 and drive 4.7 miles to park at an obvious turnout. The ride begins from here.

-Turquoise Lake Trail: On the north side of Turquoise Lake, a nice, narrow single-track trail skirts the shoreline of the lake from the Turquoise Lake Dam parking lot to the May Queen Campground at the west end of the lake. It rolls up and down in short pitches with a few rocky obstacles but is otherwise an easy trail. It's about 7 miles one way or take the paved road back, being mindful of narrow or non-existent shoulders and tight turns.

E-mail Ted Crawford at tcrawford@dslbroadband.com. His column is also available online at RockyMountainNews.com.