Hike We Like: Isabelle Glacier Trail
Visit glistening alpine lakes, fields of columbines, and one of Colorado’s last remaining glaciers along this lesser-known Brainard Lake highlight.
Hikes We Like
Arvada: Van Bibber Creek Trail
Van Bibber Park somehow delivers a paved trail with a natural vibe.
Boulder: Chapman Drive Trail
Bring Fido along for a romp through wildflowers while you enjoy gorgeous valley views.
Castle Rock: Rimrock Trail To Creek Bottom Trail
Castlewood Canyon State Park offers interest-piquing outdoor recreation for history buffs.
Castle Rock: Challenge Hill
Philip S. Miller Park’s staircase is a good warm-up for the more famous Manitou Incline.
Evergreen: Bergen Peak Trail
Big elevation gain provides access to great views and the aspen-dotted summit of 9,701-foot Bergen Peak.
Golden: Rawhide Trail
Don’t miss the trails at idyllic White Ranch Park.
Lakewood: Mount Carbon Loop
Bear Creek Lake Park proffers lake and mountain views.
Loveland: Wild Loop To Blue Sky Trail
A popular route for mountain bikers, Blue Sky Trail allows hikers to connect Devil’s Backbone and Horsetooth Mountain open spaces.
Lyons: Grindstone Quarry Trail To Lichen Loop
Grindstone Quarry Trail is a stunning—and blessedly bike-free—path in Heil Valley Ranch.
Parker: Perimeter Trail To Two Bridges Trail
Bayou Gulch Open Space is your ticket to a long but relatively flat jaunt.
Littleton: Carpenter Peak Trail
Roxborough State Park’s Carpenter Peak is a manageable—and enjoyable—climb.
5 Urban Stretches
Escaping Denver’s concrete jungle doesn’t require a drive all the way into the foothills. Explore these five city trails for a quick connection to the outdoors.
Avoid Crowded Trails With These 3 Hikes Near Boulder
We mapped out under-explored routes by linking paths through Open Space and Mountain Parks and Eldorado Canyon State Park.
7 Denver Metro Area Hikes to Tackle While Practicing Social Distancing
Going stir crazy? Here are some of our favorite (and a little less crowded) trails to check out while staying local.
Hike We Like: Catamount Trail
Just outside of Manitou Springs, this eight-mile (round-trip) route takes you through forests and past waterfalls to a scenic reservoir.
Hike We Like: South Fork Trail #1100.3A
This short walk in the woods is ideal for hikers looking to stretch their legs or beginner mountain bikers.
Hike We Like: East Spanish Peak
Once a landmark for passing wagon trains, East Spanish Peak is now a superb excursion for modern-day adventurers.
Silver Plume: Watrous Gulch Trail
Escape the heat and find some solitude with this rewarding hike near Silver Plume in Arapaho National Forest.
Hike We Like: Mt. Shavano
The famed Angel of Shavano watches over this rewarding route up Colorado’s 17th-highest summit.