Golden, Colorado
Looking for the best hiking in Golden? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Golden. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Golden
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Littleton, Colorado
Hike the Meadowlark Plymouth Trail
4.06 mi / 1197 ft gainFrom the parking lot, you can take the Meadowlark trail to the west or the Plymouth Creek Trail to the southeast. It does not matter which trail you take because it ends up becoming loop. For a more gradual slope up the hill, take the Meadowlark trail. After a little more than a mile, it intersec...Read more -
Littleton, Colorado
Hike or Bike Hildebrand Ranch
4.05.1 mi / 324 ft gainHildebrand Ranch Park is often overshadowed by the other nearby Jeffco Parks, but for the few that it does attract the trails do not disappoint. The Two Brands Trail starts at about 5600ft just off of Deer Creek Canyon Rd. It is a relatively flat trail that tops out at about 5821ft making it a...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Mars Blocks via Bear Canyon Trailhead
4.89 mi / 1923 ft gainThe Bear Canyon Trailhead is just one of many starting points for this hike, one could also start at NCAR, North Fork Shanahan, or any point on the Mesa Trail. For the purposes of this adventure, I'll start at Bear Canyon Trailhead in South Boulder. This hike will take you about 2-4 hours dependi...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Woods Quarry via NCAR
4.23.28 mi / 755 ft gainYou can start from Chautauqua Park, but I prefer to start at NCAR, especially since there is ample parking and you can take a bathroom break inside before hitting the trail. From the intersection of Table Mesa Drive and Broadway in Boulder, drive west on Table Mesa to its end at the NCAR buildin...Read more -
Conifer, Colorado
Upper Maxwell Falls Trail
1.11 mi / 135 ft gainUpper Maxwell Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail, which is the shortest and most direct route to Maxwell Falls located near Conifer, Colorado. If you're looking for a little longer trail, check out this Maxwell Falls adventure for a roughly 4-mile loop hike.Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Scramble Angel's Way
5 mi / 1000 ft gainAngel's Way is an amazing 8 pitch rock climb scramble (5.2) that is tucked away in Skunk Canyon, hidden from the crowds of Chautauqua. The best part of this scramble is you only need your climbing shoes and chalk-bag. It is similar to the 'Free Way' on the Second Flatiron. I would encourage ev...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout
4.03.92 mi / 791 ft gainCome check out the Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout, a historic spot located in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area of Colorado, and one of the highest lookout towers in the country, at an elevation of 11,486 ft. Just a short drive from the Front Range corridor, you can hike/backpack in to this lookout ar...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Green Mountain via West Ridge Trail
3.23 mi / 607 ft gainStarting at 7,600 ft this 1.35 mile (one-way) hike is the shortest, and by far the least strenuous, hike to summit one of Boulder's iconic peaks. Parking for this trail-head is available along the road a short drive, 4.5 miles, up Flagstaff Rd. The trail gently slopes along a ridge for the firs...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Hike Chief Mountain, CO
4.54 mi / 1100 ft gainSitting at 11,709’, Chief Mountain is not one of Colorado’s highest peaks, but the views from this mountain are spectacular nonetheless and rival the views of any 14er I’ve climbed. This mountain sits along Squaw Pass Road so you get the luxury of a high trailhead for this peak.To get there, foll...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail
4.01.4 mi / 440 ft gainStart out on McClintock Trail for 0.7 miles (this particular stretch can get muddy), before switching over to Enchanted Mesa Trail. To add a scenic 0.4 miles to your hike, take the Quarry Loop by turning right at the stone cabin, then following the steps up to the quarry, where you can overlook t...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Royal Arch Trail
4.43.32 mi / 1220 ft gainRoyal Arch Trail climbs up Boulder's famous Chautauqua Park to an archway formed by sandstone rocks that tower over thirty feet high. Start at the Chautauqua Trail Station by the Ranger Station, and continue up Bluebell Road for 0.7 miles. You will then arrive at a more forested area, where you ...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike to the 1st Flatiron
4.62.4 mi / 1422 ft gainStarting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) tur...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park
4.55.24 mi / 2467 ft gainStarting from the popular Chautauqua Park trailhead, head west on the main trail to the first branch off onto a smaller trail that will take you toward Baseline Road. Follow this trail until it eventually connects with Gregory Canyon Trailhead—you can park at this trailhead if you wish, but miss ...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Chautauqua Trail to the Ski Jump Trail
5.01.55 miBeginning at the Chautauqua Trailhead, the Chautauqua Trail goes for 0.6 miles before connecting with the Bluebell-Baird Trail. From here it becomes a choose-your-own-adventure hike. For a short, simple hike you can do with people who aren't ready for lots of elevation gain, take a right and conn...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail
5.45 mi / 2313 ft gainGreen Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Boulder, Colorado.Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Saddle Rock Trail
5.02.6 mi / 1500 ft gainYou can either start the from the Gregory Canyon Trailhead or the main Chautauqua trail. At the Chautauqua trailhead you will need to pay for parking on Saturdays and Sundays and at the Gregory Canyon Trailhead you will need to pay for parking if your car is not registered in Boulder. If you sta...Read more