Cuerno Verde Loop (~35 miles)

History and huge views.

Distance: 34 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,900’

This route was developed by our friends over at Gravel Adventure Field Guide.

The wide-open Greenhorn Valley speaks to Pueblo County history as a frontier pathway. This route carves through a landscape that saw Native American tribes, Spanish explorers, and Anglo mountain traders all travel through.

Three creeks flow through the valley, including the Greenhorn, Apache, and Graneros, before meeting up with the Huerfano River. A portion of the Taos Trail connecting Pueblo to New Mexico went through here.

Cuerno Verde was the Spanish name for a father and son set of Comanche chiefs. The name was given for the green-tinted buffalo horn headdress they wore into battle. After the Spanish defeated Cuerno Verde, legend says his head-dress was collected and presented to the King of Spain, who in turn gave it to the Pope. Rumors claim it is currently held in the Vatican Library.