Get Local | Tour de Jackson Hole Pathways
The pathways system in Jackson Hole is nothing short of incredible. Since the first 4 miles of pathway were constructed in 1996, the system has grown to include over 53 miles of paved pathways, which doesn’t include the many additional miles of designated bike routes throughout the valley. Friends of Pathways is a local non-profit that has been active in developing this impressive pathways network. Friends of Pathways also builds and maintains singletrack in a variety of areas around the Valley. The elaborate pathways system in Jackson Hole makes it a breeze to commute or recreate via bicycle.
While we had previously enjoyed many of these sections of pathway, my wife and I settled on a summer goal to connect the entire pathways system on one ride. This route would entail roughly 70 miles of riding. For starters, we would need to rent some road bikes, so we turned to the team at Hoback Sports. Hoback has a serious fleet of rental bikes, whether you are looking for road, pathway, mountain, or e-bike. With a long ride in mind, we opted for the demo road bikes. The team put us both on the Specialized Roubaix Comp and made sure the fit was just right. The bike was perfectly tuned and ready for a silky smooth ride.
One of the coolest things that Hoback Sports offers with their rental bikes is a one-way rental option, which includes a complimentary one-way bus pass on the START bus. This is done in partnership with Teton Village Sports in Teton Village, so you can start a ride in town and finish in the Village, or vice versa. This is a cool option allowing you to get out and explore, while saving your legs for other adventures.
From Hoback Sports, it is just a short ride on a dedicated bike route to meet up with the self-contained pathways system at Elk Run (Take a look at this map for the best ways to get around the town of Jackson on a bike). From here, we headed south along Flat Creek, and south of town to where the pathway terminates at Game Creek. We flipped around and headed back north from here, enjoying the rolling terrain in what is the hilliest section of the whole ride. Next turning left on the South Park Loop Road pathway, we enjoyed the relatively flat pathway and pastoral landscape of one of the quieter areas of Jackson.
We would next head out on the Tribal Trails section of pathway, then merge onto the Highway 22 pathway heading west towards Wilson. This part of the ride features wide sweeping views of the Teton range, and then cruises over a dedicated pathway bridge that spans the Snake River. The bridge has a few pull-out spots to take in the views, which is an absolute must. Look for wildlife, rafts, and fisherman on the river, with the Tetons towering in the background.
Next stop Teton Village! The pathway next heads under Highway 390, and we followed it north along the Teton Village Road for a scenic section of pathway that passes The Aspens (hint: stop for snacks at Persephone or the Aspens Market) and ultimately to Teton Village. The section of pathway just south of Teton Village allows unobstructed views of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, offering a moment to think about the winter season and your favorite ski runs.
The pathway continues north, but we decided to take a quick stop in Teton Village to refuel. Food options abound in Teton Village, and we decided on a quick pastry and espresso from The General Store, arming us with a proper sugar and caffeine buzz to head north into Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). As you go through the GTNP entrance, be sure to purchase or display your Parks pass. Please note that at the GTNP gate, the ride switches to a road with vehicle traffic.
From here, it is a scenic 8 miles to Moose. The road is narrow and windy, and about 1.5 miles are unpaved and very bumpy. This part is not the most pleasant on a road bike, but worth it for the views to come. After knocking off the only unpaved section of this ride, we rode to Moose and then headed to the Inner Loop of GTNP, displaying our parks pass at one more GTNP entrance. At this point, you join the dedicated pathway system and can once again forget about vehicle traffic for awhile. The views in this section of the park are unbelievable. Riding a bike through the park is a great way to slow things down and take the time to appreciate the spectacular views. If you’re like me, your speed will suffer as there are so many spots to get off your bike, enjoy the view and take photos.
Once you reach the Jenny Lake trailhead, you have the option to turn around as this is the end of the dedicated pathway. However, we decided to ride the road a few miles north to the North Jenny Lake Junction, where we took a left and rode directly towards jaw-dropping Teton Views. This northern view of the Cathedral Group might be my favorite view of the Teton Range. The perspective from this angle reminds you just how rugged and vertical this mountain range really is.
There is a one-way southbound lane from here that goes back to the Jenny Lake trailhead. One lane is for vehicles and one lane is for bikes. This shady section offers glimpses of Jenny Lake to your right, and the thick trees protect from the wind. After getting back to the Jenny Lake parking lot, we decided to stop for a quick snack at the Jenny Lake Store as we were about 50 miles into the ride at this point. Naturally, we ate junk food and ice cream, because when you exercise, you can eat whatever you want.
After departing the Jenny Lake store, we cruised southbound on the pathway, eventually crossing the Snake River once again and coming to Dornan’s, where naturally, we stopped for another snack and drink. Feeling properly fueled, we left Dornan’s and then headed south towards the town of Jackson for the last stretch of the ride.
With weary legs, we arrived back at Hoback Sports after knocking off over 70 miles of riding. Tired and happy, we marveled at the fact that one can do this big of a ride in Jackson Hole, primarily on dedicated bike paths. Along the way there are many great options for snacks, multiple river crossings, wildlife spotting opportunities, and Teton views from multiple angles. You don’t have to ride the whole thing to enjoy it, but using the pathway system in Jackson Hole is one of the best ways to combine exercise and great views.
Total Ride: 73 Miles. 1,973 feet of elevation gain.