The good days of hiking are here to stay! If you’re looking for a quick trip to nature or a stress reliever, check out these hiking spots in and around Boulder City and Boulder County.
Before you head out, be sure to read our 5 Essential Hiking Tips. See the Open Space and Mountain Parks trail map for trails near Boulder, and visit Colorado Trail Explorer for trails and park areas beyond Boulder.
Know before you go
- To be prepared. Before you leave for your hike, check closures, learn important trail and park information, and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- to be aware of your limits and avoid unnecessary risks.
- Be a good dog watchdog. Be sure to bring water for your dogs. Leash your dogs to minimize encounters with wildlife and protect sensitive wildlife habitats. And always pick up after your furry friend.
- Enjoy and protect natural spaces. Enjoy your time outdoors, but remember: we all have a responsibility to preserve our special lands for future generations. Follow “leave no trace” principles to leave the areas you visit just as you found them. Remember to bag out all trash and dog waste when receptacles are full or unavailable. Stay on the trail and walk through muddy areas.
- Stay alert. The outdoors is a rapidly changing environment. Unexpected terrain challenges and natural hazards may occur. Be aware of what is in front of you and your surroundings.
- Be polite. People visit trails and open spaces in search of solitude and emotional and physical benefits. Everyone deserves respect and courtesy while recreating outdoors.
- Be aware of fires and floods. Do not engage in activities that could start fires, including lighting fireworks or smoking outdoors. 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.
Haunted Table/McClintock
Chautauqua Park
Easy
The Enchanted Mesa and McClintock (lower and upper) trails are connected. Both trails begin at the picnic area at Chautauqua Park and are gentle hikes, with the McClintock Trail initially descending into a green forest next to a stream. It then slowly ascends, crosses a stone bridge and meets the Enchanted Mesa Trail. The Enchanted Mesa Trail crosses the stone bridge and eventually leads to an overlook with great views of Boulder, then joins the McClintock Trail in a Ponderosa pine forest.
The Enchanted Mesa and McClintock trails begin immediately on the south side of Chautauqua Auditorium, near Chautauqua Park at Grant and Baseline streets.
red rock trail
The town crossing
Easy
Dogs allowed
Red Rocks Trail is amazing if you’re looking for a short, easy 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 is a short inspiring walk.
Realization point
Realization point
Easy to moderate
Dogs allowed
From this trailhead, you can enjoy easy to moderate hiking with views of Indian Peaks (Ute-Range View Trail) or Sugarloaf Mountain (Tenderfoot/Chapman Loop Trail). If you have extra energy, you can hike to the top of Green Mountain (EM Greenman trail). Pets are allowed on a leash.
Flatirons Vista (North, South)
0.3 mile south of Highway 128 at Highway 93
Easy to moderate
Dogs allowed
The Flatirons Vista Trail is 3.3 miles, with an optional shorter loop. The gradual slopes make it a great running trail. This trail is very accessible and popular with cyclists, people in wheelchairs, and even horseback riders. Pets are allowed on leashes and the area is known for its wide variety of wildlife. The area is home to many birds and coyotes, bears, bobcats and mule deer are frequently seen.
Walker Ranch Circuit
Walker Ranch
Moderate
Dogs allowed
The Walker Ranch Loop is a local favorite. While it can be crowded, the hike takes you through Walker Ranch Park and also to El Dorado Canyon State Park. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.
Mount Sanitas
Mount Sanitas Trail
Moderate to difficult
Dogs allowed
The Mount Sanitas trail winds slowly on either side of a ridge leading to the summit. It is popular with both runners and climbers, as there are many designated bouldering areas along the trail. On a normal day, you’ll also see plenty of people with dogs, so feel free to bring Fido on this dog-friendly hike.
An interesting note: sandstone was quarried from Mount Sanitas to construct some of the campus buildings. As you walk the trail, look for the familiar red stone.
Bear Peak
Bear Peak Trail
Difficult
Dogs allowed
If you are someone who loves hiking, then this trail, which offers plenty of beautiful scenery and unobstructed 360-degree views, is perfect for you. Bear Peak is Boulder’s second-highest mountain at 8,461 feet, but its combination of beauty and brutality has made it an increasingly popular challenge among locals.
It is estimated that it will take between 3.5 and 4.5 hours. This rugged trail consists of switchbacks, stone stairs, steep segments, and passage through recently burned areas. To reach the top, a short, easy scramble awaits with excellent hand and footholds along iron-rich red rock. On a clear day, hikers can see from Pikes Peak to Long Peak and the entire range of Indian Peaks in between. Go explore this wonderful South Boulder hike!
heart lake
James Peak Wilderness Area
Difficult
Dogs allowed
The Heart Lake Trail is just outside of Boulder in the James Peak Wilderness Area, but it is worth the trip. A challenging hike of just under 9 miles, the steep incline over the ridges is difficult to maneuver, but the descent to the lake basin is fairly easy. Since it is a challenging hike, the trail has little traffic.
Heart Lake, named for its shape, is beautiful and clear, and will be surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks. At a maximum elevation of about 11,000 feet, you’ll be above the tree line and can see for miles.
From Boulder, take Canyon Boulevard/Highway 119 toward Nederland. At the Nederland roundabout, turn left/south onto Highway 119 toward Rollinsville. In Rollinsville, turn right/west onto the dirt Rollins Pass Road. It’s 8 miles to the trailhead at Moffat Tunnel.
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