Denver, Colorado is home to a lot of geological beauties like the canyons. Hiking these landscapes is one of the most sought after since these trails have access to very breathtaking views of Denver. Explore the hiking trail profiles below to get driving directions to the trailheads, trail maps, and the important information you need for your Colorado hiking adventure.

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Canyon View Nature Trail at Castlewood Canyon

Castlewood Canyon cuts a unique and green landscape into the plains near Denver. It's not the mountains, but it's worth the drive. Castlewood Canyon State Park has created this beautiful paved trail that follows the canyon rim. The Canyon Rim Trail also offers an audio tour and is a great way for children to learn more about the plains habitat ...
wood bridge over creek in castlewood canyon state park hikes near denver

Castlewood Canyon State Park Trails

Because Castlewood Canyon State Park is hidden in the plains--and not the mountains--near Denver, it's often an overlooked State park of Colorado. But, whether you're hiking or rock climbing it's a beautiful and geologically unusual place to explore. It boasts a waterfall, homestead ruins, a stream, caves and clefts, and a lot of fairly easy hikes. Below you'll find more ...
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Cave Trail at Castlewood Canyon

Colorado's Castlewood Canyon State Park has several caves hidden in the park, but this set has their own trail. It's a short trail, just a 1/8 mile one-way, but can be combined with other hiking trails--one that takes you to a waterfall--to create a real adventure. Check out the trail snapshot to get the map, driving directions to Castlewood Canyon, ...
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Cliff & Climber’s Trails at Castlewood Canyon

If you want to explore the crags and hidden pockets of Castlewood Canyon State Park, this combination of trails makes for a fun adventure in a part of Colorado that a lot of hikers miss. The park is nestled into the plains Southeast of Denver, and has a lot of hiking options. Check out the trail profile below to get ...
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Deer Creek Canyon Loop Hike

This loop hike in Deer Creek Canyon offers a quick getaway from the city of Denver and its surrounding suburbs. Because Deer Creek Canyon Park is tucked away in the entrance of the canyon, you can completely immerse yourself in the foothills and the valley that lies between Littleton and the park. Trail Snapshot: Deer Creek Canyon Loop Trail Hike ...
Streamside Trail Bridge in Eldorado Canyon State Park

Eldorado Canyon State Park Hikes

Eldorado Canyon State Park is a hiking and climbing Mecca tucked into the Front Range near Boulder and Denver, Colorado. In this hiking profile of Eldorado Canyon, we quickly give you the 4 main trails and some tips for your time in the canyon. Explore the full trail profile below to get all the details. Trail Snapshot: Hiking In Eldorado ...
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Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir

Looking for a trail that will provide some shade on a hot Colorado day? This hiking trail has shade, plus a waterfall, a stream, a canyon, and lake. It's hard to beat. Forsythe Canyon is just outside Boulder, Colorado (1hr 15min from Denver), and is an easy to moderate hike. Check out our full hiking trail profile for details and ...
Golden Gate Canyon State Park Hiking Trails

Golden Gate Canyon State Park Hiking Trails

6 Hikes in Golden Gate Canyon State Park Located less than an hour from Denver and Boulder, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a remarkable treasure. The park offers over 30 miles of hiking trails and some of the most accessible backcountry camping opportunities near Denver. Golden Gate is full of seasonal creeks and wildflowers, as well as promontories that ...
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Gregory Canyon Hike to Realization Point

The trail up Gregory Canyon is a moderately challenging hike to Realization Point Trailhead where hikers can pick up two different loop trails. Both loops offer expansive views of the Rocky Mountains in the West and wildflowers along the trail. Explore the full Gregory Canyon-Realization Point hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips and details to ...
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Guide for Hiking Hanging Lake in Colorado

Hanging Lake is a short hike to two waterfalls and one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. On the same hike, you can explore Spouting Rock Falls, and even walk behind the waterfall. Reservations are required to hike Hanging Lake so don't leave home without booking (see info in trail snapshot below). It’s not a day hike near Denver, ...
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Helen Hunt Falls in Colorado Springs

Helen Hunt Falls in Colorado Springs is a 35 foot waterfall requiring only a short walk from the parking area. For a longer and more demanding hike, visitors can take the 4 mile Columbine Trail from the bottom of Cheyenne Canyon to Helen Hunt Falls. This strenuous option affords and experience of the rich ecosystem of this canyon at the ...
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Hiking Beautiful Waterton Canyon

The winding dirt road trail of Waterton Canyon takes you along the South Platte River and into a canyon where you might spy some Bighorn sheep or catch the sight of massive eagles soaring on the warm air currents rising from the rock. It's an out-and-back hike, and you have a lot of options, from a short hike in to ...
green meadows along trail leading to gregory canyon and green mountain ascent in chautauqua park hike in boulder colorado

Hiking Green Mountain Near Boulder

Green Mountain in Boulder, Colorado is a strenuous hike that offers fantastic views of the Front Range, Flatirons, and a wide panorama at the top of Green Mountain. The trails around Chautauqua park offer a several options to summit Green Mountain, letting you take your trail of choice, but in the trail profile below, we'll point out the most direct ...
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Homestead Trail at Castlewood Canyon

This trail is great place to begin if you plan to explore the west side of Castlewood Canyon. It's a short hike, but the Homestead Trail can be used to link up to other hiking trails in this Colorado State Park. Scroll down to get all the hiking info you need in the trail snapshot, trail options descriptions and tips ...
mesa trail on the way to mallory cave NCAR near boulder

Mallory Cave Hike in Boulder

Mallory Cave is a 1.4-mile, moderate hike up into red rock formations of the Boulder Flatirons to a gated cave. Just 40 minutes from Denver, the trail to Mallory Cave was one of the earliest established recreational trails along the Front Range of Colorado. Explore the full trail profile for trail map, driving direcitons, photos, and tips for his hike ...
view from the summit of mt culter hike near colorado springs with yellow granite rock and green foothill mountains

Mt. Cutler Hike in Colorado Springs

Mt. Cutler in Colorado Springs is an easy, 1-mile hike to the summit of a foothill peak that overlooks Seven Falls, the canyon system of Cheyenne Canyon, and offers panoramic views that make this hike a great option for visiting friends and family. Because it's just 2 miles out-and-back with less than 500 feet of elevation gain, this hike offers ...
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Mt. Galbraith Loop via the Cedar Gulch Trail

Hiking Mt. Galbraith near Golden, Colorado will spoil you with it's views into two canyons and into the City of Golden. Mount Galbraith is about 25 minutes from downtown Denver, so it makes for a quick escape from the bustle of life in town to take in the fresh air of the foothills. This Colorado hiking trail is a moderate ...
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Paint Mines Hike Near Colorado Springs

The Paint Mines trail takes hikers on an easy 3.7 mile loop through a badlands landscape of rainbow sandstone and hoodoo rock formations about 90 minutes south of Denver and 45 minutes east of Colorado Springs. Explore the full Paint Mines hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips and details to help you enjoy this adventure ...
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail at Eldorado State Park

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail at Eldorado State Park

The Rattlesnake Gulch trail takes you up the sides of Eldorado Canyon, one of Colorado's historic State Parks. This lollipop trail takes you past the ruins of the Crags Hotel, then on to gain views of the Continental Divide. Scroll down to look over the trail snapshot, then explore the trail details and tips below for this rewarding hike in ...
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Royal Arch Trail

The hike up to Royal Arch in Boulder's Chautauqua Park is a serious workout, but the beauty of Bluebell canyon and the view of Royal Arch make it worth the journey. Our most important tip for making this an enjoyable hike is to go when it's not so crowded, during the early morning or on weekdays. Scroll down to get ...
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Seven Falls Hike in Colorado Springs

The hike to Seven Falls in Colorado Springs follows a paved canyon trail 0.8 mile to this famous tiered 181-foot waterfall. After severe damage by the floods in 2013, the Broadmoor Resort purchased the property and has made significant improvements, including trail and site repairs, as well as creating an on-site restaurant. As in the past, there is an access ...
Waterfall Hike in Castlewood Canyon State Park, Colorado

Waterfall Hike at Castlewood Canyon

This may be the most accessible waterfall near Denver. If you hit the right parking lot, it's a 10 minute hike.So, grab a park brochure and find the Northernmost trailhead for the Creek Bottom Trail (Homestead Trailhead). This will add close to 1 mile to your hike. Then you can loop back via the Cherry Creek Trail for a total ...
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Windy Peak Hike in Golden Gate Canyon

Windy Peak is a summit hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. A moderate to difficult 6.4-mile loop hike that follows meltwater creeks, crosses green meadows replete with wildflowers, and offers great views at the summit of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the West. Explore the full Windy Peak Hike profile for trail map, driving directions, and many of the ...