Boulder, Colorado
Looking for the best hiking in Boulder? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Boulder. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Boulder
-
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
4.35.3 mi / 1304 ft gainRattlesnake Gulch Trail is located in Eldorado Canyon State Park. It is a short 20 minute drive from Boulder and is one of three hikes in the park. You will need to pay an entrance fee to get inside to the park which costs $8. The trail is approximately 2.8 miles one way and carries a consistent ...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
3.49 mi / 1093 ft gainRattlesnake Gulch Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Eldorado Springs, Colorado.Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Flatirons Vista Loop Trail
4.73.3 miFrom the parking lot, take South Flatiron Vista Trail for 2.4 miles, where you'll cross onto North Flatiron Vista Trail. In 1 mile, take the connector trail back to the trailhead. To shorten the loop to 2 miles, hike South Flatiron for just 1 mile to Prairie Vista Trail, which leads back to the c...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Explore Boulder Falls, CO
4.20.1 miWhile the narrow trail is often popular, it's only 100 yards to see this 70-ft tall waterfall, set against a beautiful canyon backdrop. Keep in mind there's no climbing allowed on or around the falls. It is also a good idea to check if the trail is closed for maintenance, ahead of time.Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf
4.51 mi / 400 ft gainTo get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too fa...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail
5.04 mi / 1207 ft gainThe Ceran St. Vrain trail north of Jamestown offers the hiker a nice respite from the summer sun as this path runs through dense pine forests. The trail follows the South St. Vrain Creek for most of the way and follows moderate grades throughout. There is no official end to the trail, only that i...Read more -
Longmont, Colorado
McIntosh Lake Loop
4.53.6 mi / 72 ft gainMcIntosh Lake is in northwest Longmont. The 3.6-mile loop extends all the way around the lake, with the first half being on a paved cement trail with neighborhood playgrounds, basketball, volleyball, and a seasonally open restroom. The trail turns to dirt on the western half of the loop, and here...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Sleepy Lion Trail
4.7 mi / 712 ft gainThe trailhead is about eight tenths of a mile from the parking area. You pass some sport climbs, a man made waterfall, and some large boulders in the North St. Vrain Creek.The trailhead is clearly marked on the left. There is some elevation gain at the beginning but nothing difficult. Once the el...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike Racoon Trail to Panorama Point
4.03.3 mi / 750 ft gainSummer is a magical time of year in the Rocky Mountains. One great way to experience this stunning beauty is through hiking Raccoon Trail to Panorama Point at Golden Gate State Park. Raccoon Trail is 3.3 mile moderately difficult hike which can be completed in under an hour, although it will like...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike the Mountain Lion Trail
6.7 mi / 1230 ft gainThere are three parking lots with direct access to the Mountain Lion Trail. The main one is off of Crawford Gulch Road, but any of them are good starting points! This loop has pretty similar elevation gain and loss profiles no matter which way you go, so you can go any direction. This adventure ...Read more -
Longmont, Colorado
Hike or Trail Run on Rabbit Mountain, CO
4.03.95 mi / 472 ft gainThis is a great hike/trail run in Boulder County. It is located between Longmont and Lyons and is part of Boulder County Open Space. Rabbit Mountain has over 5 miles of trails and 2,733 acres of beautiful open space. The views are incredible as most of your hike you are looking out at the entire ...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Drive the Peak to Peak Highway
4.555 mi / 705 ft gainThe Peak to Peak Highway is a 55-mile stretch of road that winds its way from Nederland to Estes Park (or Estes Park to Nederland). This road connects to many points of exploration, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Rocky Mountain National Park to name a couple, but the drive itself is an adventur...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski at Caribou Ranch
4.54.2 mi / 750 ft gainThe Caribou Ranch Open Space is about two miles north of the town of Nederland. From Nederland, at the town’s roundabout, head west on CO 72 for about two miles. Turn left onto CO 126 at the sign for Caribou Ranch Open Space. Follow the dirt road for about .8 miles until you see the large parking...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike to Forgotten Valley
4.33.6 mi / 852 ft gainThere are over 35 miles of hiking trails in the park. The twelve trails in Golden Gate Canyon State Park are named after an animal and marked with the animal’s footprint.For a 2.6 round trip hike, start at the Burro Trailhead in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. You’ll immediately cross over a lit...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Summit Windy Peak via the Burro Trail
4.06.35 mi / 1825 ft gainThe Burro Trail starts at the Bridge Creek Trailhead Parking Lot and leads off to the left. While this trail is incredibly well marked it wouldn't hurt to grab a map at the visitors center before you start! From the parking lot you'll travel along the trail for 0.7 miles until you reach your firs...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike the Sawmill to Maverick Loop
4.32 mi / 450 ft gainFor this adventure, you'll be completing the Sawmill to Maverick loop. It is a short, but gentle trail that will take you through open meadows, to pine forests, and great views of Denver and Golden.Starting from the west parking area, cross the road and hit the Sawmill Trail. This trail starts ou...Read more