The best hikes in Boulder
More than 150 miles of trail start inside city limits. From the Chautauqua classics to Bear Peak sufferfests and mesa walks you can do at lunch, these trail guides are written from the dirt, not the map.
Hike Boulder: South Boulder Peak
The iconic Boulder mountain range provides the scenic backdrop for our daily lives. We gaze upon it while sitting at a traffic light, we photograph it endlessly...
Epic Boulder: The Eldorado Canyon – Walker Ranch Loop
Looking for an epic summer hike close to town? Of course you are. Here’s the recipe: Take one rocky, rambling Eldorado Canyon Trail. Then take one historic, mea...
Boulder Hike of the Month: Woods Quarry
An old quarry with sandstone sofas. A stone cabin with a curious past. Sweeping panoramas of the city and plains. What do these have in common? They’re all part...
Hike Boulder: The Bear Peak Loop
Bear Peak is as beautiful as it is tough. Rising sharply to a conical point at 8,461 feet, it’s one of Boulder’s most prominent landmarks. The classic climb to...
Hike Boulder: The Best Spring Trails
Every spring in Boulder feels vaguely familiar and yet entirely new. Pearl Street Mall bursts with the sight of colorful tulips and the sound of fervent buskers...
Boulder Hike of the Month: The First/Second Flatiron Trail
Boulder is a renowned mecca for rock climbers. People come from all over the world to climb our local cliffs and crags, and some of the world’s best climbers li...
Hiking Boulder in Mud Season
The onset of spring in Boulder is a highly celebrated phenomenon. In a city where outdoor pursuits are practically a religion, warmer temps and longer days have...
Boulder Hike of the Month: Sawhill Ponds
The City of Boulder’s 145 miles of trails are impressively diverse. From airy summit trails to canopied canyon trails to rolling meadow trails, we really do hav...
Trail Etiquette: The Dos and Don’ts of Sharing and Protecting Boulder’s Open Space
Many of us hit the trails to escape the rules and regulations of our daily lives. There is freedom to be found in our open space. When immersed in nature, we fe...
Boulder Hike of the Month: Boy Scout Trail
Views, views, views! You want ‘em, and this trail has them in spades. A hike on Boy Scout Trail is the perfect way to soak up some of the best panoramas Boulder...
Boulder Hike of the Month: Hogback Ridge
Hogback Ridge Trail has been a favorite of North Boulder residents for years. And it’s about to become a favorite of yours, regardless of where you live. Though...
Epic Boulder: Hike the Winter Trifecta
Any winter walk in Boulder has the potential to feel epic. With the possibility of snow, ice, wind, and wildly varying temps, even a stroll through Pearl Street...
Mount Sanitas: Everyone’s Mountain
For many locals, past and present, Mount Sanitas is the very heart of Boulder’s open space. Just north of downtown, with a variety of trails that make it access...
Boulder Hike of the Month: Royal Arch
When Boulder’s iconic Royal Arch Trail reopened on November 8th after being closed for nearly 14 months, the scene was more “Times Square” than “Open Space.” Hu...
Boulder Hike of the Month: Saddle Rock
Before September 2013, Saddle Rock was a pretty badass trail. Climbing steeply up to 7,000 feet and highlighting one of the Boulder range’s prominent rock forma...
Hike Boulder: The Shanahan and Big Bluestem Loop
Boulder’s open space is full of tough climbs and summits, but there are times when you’re in the mood to meander a gentler course. Luckily for us, we’ve got ple...
Hiking with Tourists: Boulder’s Best Trails for Out-of-State Visitors
We know you’ve got ’em — parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and friends who live all over the country. At some point, they’ll be visiting you in Boulder and they...
Boulder Hike of the Month: The Panorama Point Loop
We’re pretty lucky here in Boulder. We don’t even have to leave the city limits to find miles of beautiful and challenging trails. But hiking at Chautauqua or S...