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These are our top 10 picks for best hiking spots near and around Boulder.
Chautauqua Park
Amenities and ADA Accessibility
Sidewalks/Paths
Restrooms & benches
Picnic area
Basketball and Tennis/Pickleball Courts
Trails:
1st/2nd Flatiron
Medium/hard difficulty, 0.90 miles, 1111 ft elevation gain
Flatiron Loop
Medium difficulty, 0.50 miles, 315 ft elevation gain
McClintock Lower
Easy difficulty, 0.40 miles, 189 ft elevation gain
Mount Sanitas Loop Trail
Difficulty
Hard
Length
1.30 miles
Elevation Gain
1323 ft
About the Trail:
Has high foot traffic and goes around both sides of the ridge to Mount Sanitas
Varies from open meadows to rough boulders and projected rock outcrops
Panorama Point
Difficulty
easy
Length
3.1 miles
Elevation Gain
643 ft
Other information:
Takes about an 1hr 34 min to complete
Popular for hiking and running
Great views when you get to the top
Mostly covered in trees
Indian Peaks Wilderness
Has 26 trails for hiking, camping, backpacking, etc.
Hikes ranging from easy to challenging
Trails:
Rainbow Lakes Trail
Easy difficulty, 2.6 miles, 341 ft in elevation gain
Devils Thumb Pass and King Lake Trail
Challenging, 13.3 miles, 3336 ft in elevation gain
South Mesa Trailhead
Features:
Picnic area
Restrooms
Parking:
Lot with fees, 48 parking spaces, 3 ADA spaces
Horse riding is allowed on most trails
Trails:
Towhee
Medium difficulty, 0.70 miles, 274 ft elevation gain
South Boulder Creek West
Medium difficulty, 1.90 miles, 343 ft elevation gain
Fern Canyon
Hard difficulty, 1.50 miles, 2161 ft elevation gain
Flagstaff Mountian
Difficulty
Easy/medium
Length
2.10 miles
Elevation gain
1494
Other information:
switchbacks crossing Flagstaff Mountain Road
Opportunities for bouldering
Chance to see deer and various kinds of birds
Parking permits required in some areas
Boulder Canyon Trail
Difficulty
Easy
Length
2.6 miles
Follows along Boulder Creek
Other information:
Popular for scenic driving, rocking climbing and fishing
Seasonal area cultures
Betasso Preserve
Amenities:
Restrooms
Picnic areas
Group Shelter (50 people)
Horse Tralier parking at Bummer's Rock Trailhead
Trails:
Bummer's Rock Trail
Easy/moderate difficulty, 0.3 miles
Benjamin Loop
Moderate difficulty, 2.4 miles, clockwise bike direction
Canyon Loop
Hard difficulty, 3.3 miles, clockwise bike directio
Betasso Link
Hard difficulty, 1.3 miles
Diamond Lake Trail
Decently Challenging trail
Length
5.4 miles
Elevation Gain
1220 ft
Takes an average of 2 hr 49 min to complete
Popular for backpacking, camping and fishing
Seasonal closure of 4th of July road
Great views and can hang out by the lake
Lake Issabelle Trail (Winter)
Difficulty
Challenging
Length
11.0 miles
Elevation gain
1036 ft
Takes an average of 4 hr 13 min to complete
Popular for backpacking, birding, and cross country skiing
Best times to visit is November-April
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