Denver’s attract lies in its proximity to breathtaking pure landscapes. With the excessive plains giving solution to the majestic Rocky Mountains, the world is a gateway to a community of trails so intensive that it could actually take a lifetime to discover.
Luckily, you don’t must enterprise removed from town to find a wealth of beautiful mountaineering choices. Inside simply an hour’s drive, you may entry trails stretching from Boulder to Colorado Springs and past. On this information, we’ll spotlight seven distinctive hikes that by no means fail to offer a top quality outside expertise.
1. Backyard of the Gods
Situated simply outdoors Colorado Springs, Backyard of the Gods is a shocking getaway for hikers of all skills. In just a little over an hour’s drive from Denver, you may immerse your self among the many vertically thrust sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate rock formations which have made the park a favourite for Colorado hikers. Two million guests discover its 1,300 acres and 21 miles of trails yearly.
Backyard of the Gods caters to everybody. Hikers searching for one thing simple can strive the paved Perkins Central Backyard Path, a 1.1-mile loop that visits the very best rock formations within the park. In case you’re in search of an extended hike, the 6-mile Outer Loop Path supplies added distance and elevation change.
And the cherry on prime: The park is totally free! Discover the rock formations within the afternoon shadow of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak with out spending a penny.
- Size: 1-6 miles
- Issue: Straightforward to average
- Restrooms: Sure
- Parking: On-site, free
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Nov. 1 to April 30); 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Might 1 to Oct. 31)
2. Mount Sanitas
A go to to Boulder will not be full with out summiting Mount Sanitas. The 6,800-foot peak on the west facet of town is maybe the preferred path for locals.
Attending to the highest of Sanitas requires 1,300 ft of elevation achieve and at the very least 3.2 miles of mountaineering, relying on whether or not you resolve to do an out-and-back or take certainly one of a number of loop choices on the return journey. From the summit, you’ll take pleasure in 360-degree views of the complete metropolis and Entrance Vary.
- Size: 3.2+ miles
- Issue: Troublesome
- Restrooms: Sure
- Parking: Free at trailhead, doable to stroll from city
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours
3. Royal Arch
Along with Sanitas, the opposite must-visit hike in Boulder is the 3.3-mile climb to Royal Arch in Chautauqua Park. The path has a number of uphill and downhill sections, climbing 1,400 ft up into the enduring Flatirons south of town. The reward on the prime is a big sandstone arch, together with sweeping views that stretch from Boulder to Denver on clear days.
Given its recognition among the many Boulder mountaineering neighborhood, the path can get busy on weekends and holidays, so make sure to get an early begin to keep away from the congestion.
- Size: 3.3 miles
- Issue: Troublesome
- Restrooms: Sure, on the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage
- Parking: Paid parking on weekends and summer time holidays, $2.50 per hour; free throughout weekdays, and out of doors of summer time season; free parking can be accessible in surrounding neighborhoods
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
4. North Desk Mountain
In case you are in Denver and quick on time for a hike, North Desk Mountain in Golden is an ideal option to get your outside repair. The two,000-acre park sits on a 60-million-year-old lava stream that rises a number of hundred ft above the encompassing plains. When you ascend the a number of hundred ft to the mesa, the paths are comparatively flat, and there are a number of loop choices to select from among the many 15 miles of path.
North Desk Mountain is open for mountaineering year-round, nevertheless it’s particularly lovely within the spring and early summer time when wildflowers are in bloom. The Tilting Mesa to Mesa High loop is a well-liked path within the park, climbing 500+ ft over 3.2 miles on the west facet of the mesa.
- Size: 2-8 miles
- Issue: Average
- Restrooms: Sure, at West Trailhead, Golden Cliffs Trailhead, and East Entry
- Parking: Free at trailheads
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: One hour earlier than dawn to at least one hour after sundown
5. Lair o’ the Bear
Simply over half-hour west of Denver, Lair o’ the Bear Park is the proper spot for a household outing. The large, flat trails that border Bear Creek and ample picnic areas make it an excellent hike for teenagers to tag alongside. The 1.5-mile Bruin Bluff Path is a straightforward introduction to the park, whereas those that desire a problem can climb over 1,000 ft to Panorama Level.
In your method out of the park, don’t neglect to make a pit cease at Crimson Rocks Amphitheater for a fast stroll across the trails of the enduring venue.
- Size: 1-6 miles
- Issue: Straightforward to average
- Restrooms: Sure, at Lair o’ the Bear Park trailhead
- Parking: Free at trailhead
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: One hour earlier than dawn to at least one hour after sundown
6. Chief Mountain
For a straightforward but immersive expertise of the sweetness that the Rocky Mountains present, Chief Mountain is only a fast 1-hour drive from Denver. The path is brief however steep, climbing almost 1,000 ft over 1.4 miles to the height.
You’ll journey by means of dense alpine forests, exit the tree line to expertise a Rocky Mountain tundra ecosystem, and attain the summit at 11,713 ft. The views from Chief Mountain are expansive, with certainly one of Colorado’s iconic 14ers, Mt Evans, seen to the west.
Chief Mountain might be hiked throughout all seasons, however be certain you might be correctly outfitted with traction in case you go to in the course of the snowy months.
- Size: 2.8 miles
- Issue: Average
- Restrooms: None
- Parking: Free; pullout on Freeway 103
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: Dawn to sundown
7. Satan’s Head
The hike to Satan’s Head supplies basic panoramic views of the Entrance Vary and a glimpse into Colorado’s historical past. The lookout tower atop the granite outcropping is the final of seven such towers that have been as soon as operated on the Entrance Vary. The Satan’s Head tower, which was inbuilt 1919 and rebuilt in 1951, is the final in operation and has been added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
Perched at over 9,700 ft atop the Rampart Vary, the hike as much as the tower ascends almost 900 ft over 1.4 miles. The path winds by means of towering aspen groves and fascinating rock formations earlier than it reaches the ultimate 143 steps that result in the highest.
- Size: 2.8 miles
- Issue: Average
- Restrooms: Sure, on the trailhead
- Parking: Free at trailhead
- Canine friendliness: Canine allowed on leash
- Hours: One hour earlier than dawn to at least one hour after sundown
This put up is sponsored by Fjällräven.