Shelf Road

Shelf Road is a scenic ride through the Gold Belt Scenic Byway via a historic stage coach road between Cripple Creek and Canon City. The road begins just off of highway 67 south of the city of Cripple Creek.

The first three miles descend gently from 9300 feet to 8800 feet in a wide canyon following Cripple Creek. From mile three to eight, the road steeply descends 2000 feet through the narrow, winding canyon. Rock walls jut up from the road carved out of the hillsides over 150 years ago. This area is very popular for rock climbing. Various climbs can be found on the sister site, Mountain Project.

After mile eight, the road levels off as it exits the canyon. It opens into beautiful views of southern Colorado mesas as the road hugs the shelf of one of these mesas. This continues for several miles then opens up to the Canon City valley. The road ends at Highway 9.