Unusual land features decorate the landscape near Denver: buttes, hogbacks, and high plateaus. These trails usually provide you with incredible views of Denver and Colorado’s Front Range. 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.

Beaver Brook Trail at Windy Saddle Park

Beaver Brook Trail at Windy Saddle Park

One aspect that commends the Beaver Brook Trail hike to all ranges of ability and interest is its ease of editing. Need a short stroll to clear the mind? Take a stretch to the first vista and turn around. Ready to engage in a healthy, keep-your-wits challenge? Press ahead to the highest point on the trail, which this post describes ...
Golden Gate Sate Park Blue Grouse Trail Landscape

Blue Grouse Trail at Golden Gate Canyon Park

The Blue Grouse Trail is a short, 1.6-mile hike on the western edges of Golden Gate Canyon State Park. A pleasant trail with little gain in elevation and mellow terrain makes this a great escape from the city. The Blue Grouse Trail is a perfect hiking trail for spotting wildlife, from birds to deer, viewing fall colors and wildflowers, and ...
man on horse with dog on bluffs regional park trail with front range mountains in background on hike near denver

Bluffs Loop Trail at Bluffs Regional Park

The Bluffs Regional Park features a 2.7 mile loop hike and 2 spurs that lead to panoramic overlooks. The Bluffs loop offers fantastic views of Denver and of the front range. We prefer hitting the trail as the sun is setting. As it gets dark, and the city lights begin to appear, warm winds sometimes will kick up along the ...
cliff climbers trail castlewood canyon header

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 ...
view from daniels park bluff toward front range mountains on hike near denver

Daniel’s Park Hikes

Best sunsets in Denver! You can see mountains upon mountains of Colorado's Front Range. Take a picnic dinner and pull off at one of the many picnic areas along Daniels Park Road. There are several hiking options detailed below for Daniel's park. To get all the details, scroll down and explore the trail snapshot, profile, and tips below. Trail Snapshot: ...
deer creek canyon trail near littleton in fall with picnic area in distance

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 ...
view to pikes peak from eagle view outlook at reynolds park near conifer colorado

Eagles View Hike in Reynolds Park

The Eagles View Loop hike in Reynolds Park is a 4-mile, moderate, loop trail to a scenic outlook. The trail ascends through meadows and ponderosa pine forest to views of Pikes Peak and the sawtooth spires and peaks of the Rampart Range. Explore the full Reynolds Park Eagle View Loop hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more ...
Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park

Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park

For those who are looking for a nice hike that incorporates the highland meadows of Colorado and views to snowcapped mountains, then the Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park is the perfect hike. The Elk Range Trail can be hiked as an out-and-back 6.6 mile adventure, starting from one of two different trailheads. We saw a lot of wildlife ...
Elk Valley Trail in Roxborough State Park

Elk Valley Trail in Roxborough State Park

The Elk Valley Trail in Roxborough State Park climbs to a lesser visited valley in the park. Incredible views of the red rock formations of Roxborough make this a great moderate hike near Denver. The hike to Elk Valley is a 4.8 mile out-and-back journey, but can be turned into one of two more strenuous loop hikes. Explore all the ...
dirt trail leading toward the flatirons of boulder colorado in chautauqua park wooden fence in foreground and broad meadows

First and Second Flatirons Hike in Boulder

Hiking the Flatirons near Boulder, Colorado is a must. The trail draws you across an green meadow, then up through a notch between the First and Second Flatiron. You'll find the best part of this hike in the Flatirons at the end of the trail: some breathtaking and unmatched views of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. There's even more though. Explore the ...
hall ranch near boulder header

Hall Ranch Hike Near Lyons, Colorado

Hall Ranch, just outside of Lyons Colorado, is a hiking, mountain biking, trail running destination that features red sandstone buttes, vast green meadows, and panoramic views of white snowcapped meadows. Tucked into the foothills near the St. Vrain River, the trails at Hall Ranch are a great escape from life in the city. Explore the full Hall Ranch hike profile ...
Horseshoe Trail at Golden Gate Canyon Park

Horseshoe Trail at Golden Gate Canyon Park

The Horseshoe Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a wonderful hike for older kids, experienced and non-experienced hikers. It's a great trail for spotting wildlife, from birds to deer, viewing fall colors and wildflowers, and taking in the beautiful scenic view along the trail. Several of the backcountry campsites areas are also accessible from the Horseshoe trail. We'll ...
castle rock incline challenge hill at base of steps looking up the 200 steps toward the top

Incline at Castle Rock

The Incline at Castle Rock is a 0.6 mile loop that begins with a 200 step climb up the Challenge Hill to the top of a promontory. From the top, a trail winds down the side of the mesa for 1/2 a mile back to the bottom. It makes for a great workout in the outdoors, and is about 30 ...
meyer ranch open space hikes header

Meyer Ranch Open Space Hikes

Meyer Ranch is just 30 minutes outside of Denver, Colorado and offers three different hiking trail options, ranging from 2.4 to 4.8 mile, easy to moderate hikes. Check out the three different hiking trail options for this hike near Conifer, Colorado. Trail Snapshot: Meyer Ranch Open Space Hikes Hike Distance 2.4 to 4.8 miles Round Trip Difficulty Easy to Moderate ...
Mount Falcon View from Castle

Mount Falcon – Castle & Tower Hike

A hike to castle ruins in Colorado? Yep. Throw in a lookout tower, a great view of Denver, of Red Rocks, and of the mountains, and you've got some of the highlights of the Mount Falcon Trail. The trailhead is nestled in a community in the foothills just about 40 minutes from Denver. Here we detail a 2.3-mile loop trail ...
Mt. Buckhorn hike near Colorado Springs

Mt. Buckhorn hike near Colorado Springs

The Mt. Buckhorn Hike, taking the shape of what hikers often call a "lollipop loop," forms the bridge between the Section 16 hike and the Seven Bridges & Kineo Mountain hike. As with those hikes, the surprising aspect is its immediacy -- within minutes of turning off the highway the trailhead appears. And if parking has filled, other options await ...
Mt. Flora to Mt. Eva Hike above Berthoud Pass

Mt. Flora to Mt. Eva Hike above Berthoud Pass

High mountains passes, like Guanella, Kenosha, and Loveland, all offer 14er-level views but often without the 14er-level effort...or crowds! The Mt. Flora hike (with option to Mt. Eva) provides this kind of experience. Explore the full Mt. Flora to Mt. Eva Hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips and details to help you enjoy this adventure ...
ponderosa pine arched over mt galbraith trail with foothills at sunset near denver hike

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 ...
view of wide dirt trail at mount sanitas in boulder looking south to green mountain in boulder colorado ponderosa pine in foreground

Mt. Sanitas Hike Near Boulder

If you are visiting Boulder, this is a great Colorado hike. Mt. Sanitas gives you several trail options ranging from an easy stroll along a meandering brook to a demanding trail up the mountainside. Explore the trail profile below for all the info you need on this hike near Boulder. Trail Snapshot: Mt. Sanitas Hike in Boulder Hike Distance 3.1 ...
wildfowers in foreground on top of north table mountain in golden colorado

North Table Mountain Hike Near Golden, Colorado

When the sun rises over the North Table Mountain, you'll see this mesa rising above the town of Golden, Colorado. A vast network of trails awaits hikers, mountain bikers, and nature photographers. This is a perfect hike near Denver for when you don’t have much time on your hands but need some fresh air. While the trails on Table Mountain ...
paint mines near colorado springs with gullies and eroded rock landscape

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 ...
Pine Valley Ranch Park Hike

Pine Valley Ranch Park Hike

Pine Valley Ranch Park has become one of our family's favorite parks near Denver. Pine Valley Ranch Park boasts several hikes, a beautiful lake, a lot of history, a small island with a gazebo, and the best picnic area on the Front Range of Colorado. If that's not enough, the North Fork of the Platte River runs through the park, ...
Red Rocks Trail at Settlers Park in Boulder

Red Rocks Trail at Settlers Park in Boulder

A giant underground sandstone formation runs from Ft. Collins all the way through Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Here at Red Rocks Trail in Boulder, the rock juts out of the ground to transform the landscape. It makes for an inspiring short hike. Explore the hike snapshot and detailed trail profile below to get a feel for this ...
rolling grassland and gamble oaks in castle rock colorado

Ridgeline Open Space Hike

Ridgeline Open Space is nestled in the Meadows residential area of Castle Rock. This network of over 13 miles of trails winds through elevated grasslands and gamble oak with a backdrop of distant snow-capped peaks of the Front Range. Hike it or bike it for a quick escape from the work week. Explore the full Ridgeline Open Space hike profile ...
Section 16 Hike near Manitou Springs

Section 16 Hike near Manitou Springs

Nestled between Manitou Springs on the west and Colorado Springs on the east, the Manitou Section 16 Open Space overlaps with the Red Rock Canyon Open Space to the north, just off Highway 24. Both of these systems connect to two other regional parks, creating a massive complex of trails that delights hikers of all ages and abilities. This route ...
seven-falls-hike-colorado-springs

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 ...
Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes Trail

Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes Trail

Silver Dollar Lake Trail graces hikers with not just one, but three lakes! This easy to moderate hike, approximately 3-4 miles, treks up lake by lake. Each successive one along the Silver Dollar Lake Trail perches above the previous, creating multiple platforms from which to view the valley, breathe in the beauty, and take pictures. Situated along the stunning Guanella ...
South Rim Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park

South Rim Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park

The South Rim Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park is a moderate hike that leads to breathtaking views of the red rock formations that make this Colorado State Park famous. It's a perfect hike for a weekend afternoon, or a great choice for visiting family and friends. We also put this on our list for great hikes to take if ...
spruce mountain hikes near larkspur header

Spruce Mountain Hikes Near Larkspur

These hikes along Spruce Mountain near Larkspur, Colorado offer both expansive vista of Colorado's rolling green hills and a unique view of Pikes Peak. Spruce Mountain is a tall butte just 45 minutes south of Denver. This hiking trail follows the outer edge of the mountain giving you a great 360 degree view of the area. Check out the entire ...
Square Top Lakes Trail on Guanella Pass

Square Top Lakes Trail on Guanella Pass

The Square Top Lakes Trail, one of several cresting Guanella Pass above Georgetown, CO, gives hikers a chance to behold sweeping valley vistas and the imposing profile of Mount Bierstadt. Simply driving to the trailhead along Guanella Pass can soothe a weary soul and take its breathe away at the same time! Once on the trail, the expansive pass greets ...
st marys glacier near idaho springs colorado header with snowcapped mountains in background

St. Mary’s Glacier near Idaho Springs, Colorado

The hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier ascends through a beautiful forest and ends with stunning panoramic views--the kind you expect from a perfect short hike in Colorado. If you walk around St. Mary's lake then hike up the glacier, you will gain incredible views of the Rocky Mountains to the west. It is a quick hike--1.5 miles round-trip if ...
green meadow looking west to evergreen trees and mountains at ute valley park in colorado springs

Ute Valley Park Loop in Colorado Springs

Ute Valley Park offers an easy 3-mile loop hike in the heart of northern Colorado Springs with views to snow-capped Pikes Peak. The trails make for a quick break from the city to trail run or walk the dog. Get the trail details, map, and driving directions in our full trail profile. Trail Snapshot: Ute Valley Park Hike Distance 2.5 ...
White Ranch Sunset Loop Near Golden, Colorado

White Ranch Sunset Loop Near Golden, Colorado

This loop hike in White Ranch Park is a great escape, a place to watch the glow of twilight on the city of Denver as the sun sets in the West. This Colorado trail is set at the very beginning of the foothills. You'll journey across a tranquil meadow punctuated with ponderosa pine and decorated with Spring and early Summer ...