- Hike Distance: 1/4 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 40 min
- Difficulty: Easy (but consider altitude)
- Duration: 15-20 min
- Activities: picnics, hiking, viewing wildlife
- Fee Required: See Fee Schedule Link
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Open early summer through Fall, Check Sites for Closure: #1 – #2
- Beauty: Lakes, Mountain Peak Views, High Country Tundra, Wildlife: Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Marmots, & Pika.
What it lacks in challenge Mt. Evans makes up in breathtaking panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and opportunities to view wildlife up close. It isn’t much of a hike, because you can summit this 14,265 foot peak in just a few minutes. Yet your trip to Mount Evans can include several stops at high mountains lakes, to view wildflowers, and to take in the expansive scenery (See our itinerary below). This is one of the best attractions near Denver for visiting friends and family, especially if you don’t have the luxury or equipment to take them into the Colorado backcountry. The views are stunning and Read More
- Hike Distance: 3.7 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 40 min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1hr 30 min+
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Denver Views, Fire Tower, Ruins, & Deer.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Mount Falcon features several trails. By combining a few, you can create a 3.7 mile loop and take in several historic sites as well as breathtaking views of Denver, Red Rocks, and the Front Range. This is makes it one of the best hikes close to Denver for visiting friends and family. Because it is an easy hike and has a relatively flat and wide trail, you can take the jogging stroller on this one, too.
The Loop: Start at the parking lot and when you come to a fork in the trail, take the Tower Trail to your right. Soon you’ll pass the Eagle Eye Shelter which offers great views towards Mount Evans and the surrounding foothills. Stay on the Tower Trail until you get to the Fire Tower which commands a panoramic view of Denver, Red Rocks, and more of the Front Range of Colorado.
Then continue on the Tower Trail until it intersects with the Meadow Trail. Take the Meadow Trail North/Left for about .3 miles. It will end at the Castle Trail – take a left. The Castle Trail will lead you back to the parking lot, but don’t head back until you stop at the ruins of the old Walker Home. The views from here are beautiful as well. Click here for a link to the Mount Falcon trail map.
Tips:
- Bring a Lunch and stop at the Eagle Eye Shelter for a Picnic
- Go early or late to catch some of the best sunsets along the Colorado’s Front Range
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 2.5 to 4 miles approx (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 45 min
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 1.5-2.5 hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop w/Spur Option
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Beauty: Canyon, Waterfalls and Cascades, Cliff Swallows, Cliff-Top Views, Geologic Features
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
If your legs are ready to gain some quick elevation
to some rewarding views, the Rattlesnake Gulch trail will give you just that. This trail starts at the west trailhead of the Fowler Trail about 1/2 a mile into Eldorado Canyon. Read More
- Hike Distance: .2, 3, or 5.4 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 35
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 20 Min to 2.5 Hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Shelter House with Fireplace, Bison viewing area, Hiking
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Rock Formations, Bison.
We are featuring Daniel’s Park ,not for it’s trails, but because it has one of the best views of the Front Range near Denver. From the park, you can see Pikes Peak in the South, Mt. Evans in the West, and Longs Peak in the North. The trails are not handicap accessible, but the shelter house is (after a bit of a bump trail), and is a perfect place to watch the sun set. Read More
- Hike Distance: 5 Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 25
- Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
- Duration: 2.5+ hrs
- Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Trail Running
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Rocky Mountain vista at top, Views of Golden & Denver
- Trail Map Link: Click Here for Windy Saddle Trail Map
Steep – that’s probably the best adjective for this hike. The trail is very accessible from Denver – on average, just a 25 minute drive. The trail begins at the base of Lookout Mountain in Golden and weaves it’s way to the top, crossing the road twice, to a wonderful mountain vista. It’s a perfect place, complete with benches, for viewing sunsets. However, a hike down in the twilight may be pretty difficult to negotiate. The Chimney Gulch Trail joins up with both the Beaver Brook Trail, and Lookout Mountain Trail.
Tips:
- Because the trail can be narrow and has a lot of mountain bike traffic, we suggest leaving the dog at home.
- If you want to start at the top, you can park at the Windy Saddle Trailhead along Lookout Mountain Road. Click for google map and driving directions.
- For a great detailed trail description, check out Deb Stanley’s Chimney Gulch Trail profile.
- Adjust Expectations – If you are hoping for a quiet, solitary hike, this is probably not the best choice. Because this trail is very accessible and challenging, there is a lot of hiking, running, and biking traffic.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 1.9 or 3.3 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 40 min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 1 to 2.5hrs
- Activities: Hiking Trails, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Birdwatching, & Trail Running
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Views of the Flatirons, Meadows, Ponderosa Pines, Wildlife: Bobcat, Bear, Mule Deer, Eagles (in winter), & coyote
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
You’ve got options. The Flatiron Vista Loop trail offers 2 loops. One is 3.3 miles and the other is just 1.9 miles. Read More
- Hike Distance: 2-4 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 Hrs
- Activities: Fishing, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Bluff Top Views, Irrigation Ditch, Reservoir
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 1.2 miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 2hrs
- Difficulty:Medium
- Duration: 1hr
- Activities: Picnicking, Hiking Trails, Snowshoing
- Dogs: Prohibited in the Park
- Temperature at Bear Lake Click Here
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring thru Fall
- Beauty: Sub-Alpine Lake, Mountain Views, Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrel, Elk, Bear
- Trail Maps: Click Here
- Fee: Park Pass Required
- Hike Distance: 0.6 mile
- Denver Drive Time: 2hrs
- Difficulty:Easy
- Duration: 30min
- Activities: Picnicking, Snowshoeing, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Prohibited in the Park
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Spring thru Fall
- Beauty: Sub-Alpine Lake, Mountain Views, Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrel, Elk, Bear
- Trail Maps: Click Here
- Temperature at Bear Lake Click Here
- Fee: Park Pass Required
Bear lake is the epicenter of Rocky Mountain National Park. This means that you can access a ton of trails from here, but it also means a lot of traffic. So, we always recommend getting there early, on weekdays, and on the off-season – if you can. The Bear Lake Trail is a short 0.6 mile loop around a beautiful lake with views of the Rocky Mountains. The hike is considered handicap accessible, however Read More
We hike the Bluffs more than any other trail near Denver. It’s close to home and is a great hike or run for taking the jogging stroller. The Bluffs Regional Park features a 2.7 mile loop and 2 spurs that lead to panoramic overlooks. You’ll get fantastic views of Denver and the of front range. We prefer hitting the trail as the sun is setting. Sometimes, as it gets dark, warm winds will kick up as the city lights begin to appear.
Be aware of horses on the trail and give the the right of way. There is a gentleman who likes to ride his horse in the late afternoon/early evening who can be quite reckless. I’ve seen him nearly collide with parties of hikers on two occasions. Just be aware of him.
- Hike Distance: 2.7Miles+Spurs
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1hr 45min+
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Summer & Fall
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Bluff Overlooks, Wildlife: Prairie Dogs, Rabbits, Red Fox.
- Trail Map: Click Here
