This 164-mile paved route begins and ends in Golden, Colorado, just west of Denver in the foothills of the Front Range in the Rockies. Following a figure 8, the route goes northwest from the Welcome Arch in Golden on State Routes 93 and 72 to Nederland, then north on Route 72 (Peak to Peak Scenic Byway) to Estes Park. The return leg follows U.S. Route 36 and State Route 7 to Boulder, then turns west on State Route 119 back to Nederland. It continues south on Route 119 to Black Hawk/Central City, then returns to Golden via U.S. Route 6.