8 ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅-area hikes to try
Good hiking days are here to stay! If you are looking for a quick trip to nature or a stress reliever, check out these hiking spots in and around the city of ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ and ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ County.
Before you head out, be sure to read our 5 essential hiking tips. View the for nearby ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ trails, and visit to see trails and parks areas beyond ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅.
Know before you go
- Be prepared. Before leaving for your hike , get and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Be aware of and avoid unnecessary risks.
- Be a good dog guardian. Make sure you bring water for your dogs. Leash your dogs to minimize wildlife encounters and protect sensitive wildlife habitats. And always pick up after your furry friend.
- Enjoy and protect natural areas. Enjoy your time outdoors, but remember: We all have a responsibility to preserve our special lands s. Follow βleave no traceβ principles to leave areas you visit just as you found it. Remember to pack out all trash and dog waste when receptacles are full or unavailable. Stay on trail and walk through muddy trail areas.
- Stay alert. The outdoors is a rapidly changing environment. Unexpected terrain challenges and natural hazards may be present. Be and your surroundings.
- Be courteous. People visit trails and open spaces for solitude as well as emotional and physical benefits. Everyone deserves respect and courtesy while recreating outdoors.
- Be fire and flood aware. Do not engage in activities that have the potential to start fires, including lighting fireworks or smoking in outdoor spaces. Also, be aware of the possibility of flash flooding, which can occur even if the weather is sunny where you are. Flash floods, wildfires: Be prepared.
Enchanted Mesa/McClintock
Easy
The and (Lower and Upper) trails are connected. Both trails begin by the picnic area in Chautauqua Park and are gentle hikes, with the McClintock Trail initially descending into a green forest alongside a stream. It then slowly ascends, crosses a stone bridge, and meets up with the Enchanted Mesa Trail. The Enchanted Mesa Trail crosses the stone bridge and eventually leads to an overlook point with great views of ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅, then joins the McClintock Trail in a Ponderosa pine forest.
Enchanted Mesa and McClintock trails start immediately on the south side of the Chautauqua Auditorium near Chautauqua Park at Grant and Baseline streets.
Red Rocks Trail
The People's Crossing
Easy
Dog friendly
is awesome if you are looking for a short, leisurely hike. It takes about 45 minutes to complete this easy 1-mile loop with a 0.4-mile spur. A beautiful, underground sandstone formation juts out of the ground to transform the landscape. It makes for an inspiring short hike.
Realization Point
Easy to moderate
Dog friendly
From this trailhead, you can enjoy easy to moderate hiking with views of the Indian Peaks (Ute-Range View trail) or Sugarloaf Mountain (Tenderfoot/Chapman Loop trail). If you have extra energy, you can hike to the summit of Green Mountain (E. M. Greenman trail). Leashed pets are welcome.
Flatirons Vista (North, South)
0.3 mile south of Highway 128 on Highway 93
Easy to moderate
Dog friendly
The is 3.3 miles, with an optional shorter loop. The gradual inclines make it a great running trail. This trail is very accessible, and popular among bicyclists, those in wheelchairs and even horseback riders. Pets on leashes are welcome, and the area is known for an array of diverse wildlife. The area is home to many birds, and coyotes, bears, bobcats and mule deer are seen frequently.
Walker Ranch Loop
Moderate
Dog friendly
The Walker Ranch Loop is a local favorite. While it can be crowded, the hike takes you through through Walker Ranch Park and also into El Dorado Canyon State Park. Dogs are welcome as long as they stay on leash.
Mount Sanitas
Moderate to difficult
Dog friendly
The slowly winds along both sides of a ridge leading to the summit. It is popular amongst both runners and climbers, as there are many designated bouldering areas along the trail. On a typical day, you also will see many people with dogs, so feel free to bring Fido along on this dog-friendly hike.
A cool side note: Sandstone was quarried from Mount Sanitas to construct some of the buildings on campus. While hiking the trail, look for the familiar red stone.
Bear Peak
Difficult
Dog friendly
If you are someone who loves hiking, , which offers plenty of gorgeous scenery and unobstructed 360-degree views, is the perfect one for you! Bear Peak is ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅βs second tallest mountain at 8,461 feet, but its combination of beauty and brutality has made it an ever-popular challenge among locals.
It is estimated to take 3.5 to 4.5 hours. This rugged trail consists of switchbacks, stone-stairs, steep segments and passage through recent burn zones. To reach the summit, a brief and easy scramble with excellent hand and footholds awaits along iron-rich, red rock. On a clear day, hikers can see from Pikes Peak to Long Peak and the full range of the Indian Peaks in between. Go explore this wonderful South ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ hike!
Heart Lake
Difficult
Dog friendly
The is outside of ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ in the James Peak Wilderness Area, but the drive is worth it. A challenging hike at just under 9 miles, the steep incline over the ridges is strenuous to maneuver, but the descent to the lake basin is pretty easy. Since it is a challenging hike, the trail is lightly trafficked.
Heart Lake, named for its shape, is beautiful and clear, and youβll be surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks. At a max elevation of around 11,000 feet, you are above the tree line and will be able to see for miles.
From ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅, take Canyon Boulevard/Highway 119 to Nederland. At the traffic circle in Nederland, turn left/south on Highway 119 to Rollinsville. In Rollinsville, turn right/west on the dirt Rollins Pass Road. It's 8 miles to the trailhead at the Moffat Tunnel.