This trailhead is a hub with access to many other trails. I wanted to climb Flagstaff Mountain and…read morethere are multiple options to get to the top. I started with the GC trail and created a loop with Rangeview and Flagstaff. Rangeview delivered an amazing view of the Rockies. GC is on an incline so you get to look down into the creek and canyon. The western side also offers views of the adjacent Chautauqua Park. Flagstaff summit was not as dramatic, and upon the descent you look out onto Downtown Boulder. I inadvertently took Crown Rock trail, which I do not recommend. It has a lot of loose rocks and gets slippery. Trails were easy to follow and major intersections had clear signage. Only six parking spots! However, you can park for free with some off-road spots on Baseline Rd. I regret starting at 9:30 as trails were pretty sunny. Rangeview offered some needed shade.

Wow what a marvelous trailhead! The other reviewer was right, you could get to all of Boulder…read moreMountain Parks from here. I arrived around 11am on a weekday and the lot was about half full. There's a few trails that all connect up to Green Mountain, so take your pick. It too me about an hour to summit. The trail was beautiful and in better shape than the Bear Peak trail. It's less steep, but still pretty long and can be an adventure. You get some amazing views, better than Bear I think. Seeing the first flatiron above the fog was so pretty. The summit sports a register and a lot of chickadees begging for food. Don't feed them! Enjoy the mountain air and sunshine, and the fact your so close to town after your hike!

This was an amazing trail near boulder! We decided instead of trekking the beginning we drove to…read morethe top of the mountain instead for the vantage points. It was high up (over 9000k ft) and I've never experienced elevation like that before so taking a few steps made me out of breath very quickly. The views were incredible though! Seeing the valley of Denver and the Rocky Mountains on the other side were breathtaking. There wasn't much snow for March as you could only see it on mountains that were much farther west and taller. It really gives you an idea of how high up the mountain is when you see people and trees look like the size of ants. The drive to the top was also wild with a twisty road that definitely felt like something that would be extremely difficult if it were icy out which thankfully it wasn't when we visited! Highly recommend checking out if you are in the boulder area.

This easy loop trail is great if you're looking to get out into the mountains but don't want to…read morehike anything hard. Its a mellow trail that is great for letting your dog run and play without being too exhausting for you. Just drive 5 minutes past the crowded Chautauqua parking area up Flagstaff Road (look out for deer!) and park at Realization Point. The best part is I went here on a Saturday afternoon and hardly say anyone except some deer.

AWESOME!!!!! This was the perfect hike for a quick trip to Boulder. It took us about 4 hours…read moregoing super slow with lots of breaks and a nice lunch stop. The trail was well maintained and the rangers in the visitors center were super friendly. During the summer Sunday we were there, the park had a free shuttle back to town which was super helpful.

One of my favorite trails in Boulder located in Chautauqua park. It's a little over 3 miles with…read moresome elevation, but I think it's relatively easy. My friend who was visiting from sea level who doesn't hike much was able to do it with no problems. It's a beautiful hike through tree line, nice vertical and stone steps and a unique arch at the top! There are big rocks to sit on and enjoy the stunning vistas and observe sweet chipmunks running about.

Easy access from Boulder for visitors who want a gentle introduction to hiking in the Rocky…read moreMountains. Beautiful vistas, and many restful bench stops. I was greeted by a friendly hostess before starting the 5K loop around the Canyon Loop Trail. No bikes allowed Wednesday and Saturday. With close proximity to Boulder, it's a crowded trail, and bikes would represent something of a challenge for those hikers not fleet of foot. But I bet it's a fun mountain bike track!

I really, really enjoy Betasso. It is so beautiful - rolling hills, loads of trees, and well shaded…read moreonce you are in the woodsy portion. There are multiple parking lots and bathrooms! Not to mention, picnic tables near some of the trail heads. This area is open for use sun rise to sunset. Sorry, no campers permitted. The best days to go as a hiker or horseback rider are Wednesday and Saturdays (when bikes are not allowed on the trail). When visiting on the other days definitely watch your back (and this is where the three star removal comes in). I was visiting the morning of the 4th to give the good old walk jog routine a spin (having recently improved mobility), and boy did it feel good to get out. There are "right of way" signs sprinkled throughout the preserve. While about 10% of the bikers actually bothered to slow down or yield for me (these were the families and older bikers) most I had to physically jump out of the way of. If you've been here you know the trails can be narrow in some spots. So tree hugging, slope slipping, and ankle busting I did, just to avoid being collided into by a rowdy biker. It was really quite upsetting as we all have the same goal - being outside and moving around in nature. I'll definitely be back but will make my best attempt to go on the non-bike days.

Beautiful trail. Great views. There is a trail area and an off leash dog park area. Parking lot is…read moresmall.

Amazing classic view of Boulder, as you arrive by car from Denver metro area. It can be beautiful…read moreon a blue sky day but you can also see to the continental divide. Today the high winds up there swirled snow and clouds almost vertically. To the right in this view is Longs Peak in RMNP. To the left is the Indian Peaks Wilderness area due west of Boulder. You might not use this this approach to Boulder on a weekday commute in when it will likely be bumper to bumper going very slow for several miles. And a bit dangerous with snow and ice and high winds at ground level. But on a beautiful clear dry winter day, it is classic and how so many people see Boulder for the very first time.

Sugarloaf Mountain is an excellent close front range option for a scenic hike. Parking is fairly…read moreeasy off Sugarloaf rd, really not far from downtown Boulder! It's an uphill and sometimes steep drive on dirt, but nothing a small car can't do. The hike itself starts unmarked but easy to spot the wide gate and uphill trail. You're in the woods for about the first third, then get some great views after some switchbacks. The top is denuded from a fire over 30 years ago, the Black Tiger Fire. Many large trees and stumps can be seen. This is a fantastic view and you can see in 360 degrees. It's particularly great for mountain views, sunrise, and cool clouds. The trail is pretty short 1.5 miles and around 300ft gain, with a broad open top. It's a great trail for most any skill level!

Colorado residents and visitors should make the time to take in this Rocky Mountain experience…read more This is a moderate hike for those in decent shape, just remember if you're not acclimated, you are hiking roughly from 7900ft to 8900ft. Sugarloaf Mountain is about a half hour outside of Boulder. It is easily seen from the plains-it's the mountain just behind the foothills that is uniformly cone shaped. Let me cut ahead to the pay-off before I fill in the details: A hike up Sugarloaf Mountain from the parking area pays off with magnificent 360 views. The Continental Divide is spread out before you in spectacular fashion. Long's Peak (one of the 14teeners) views are fabulous. To one side are steep drops down talus slopes into Four Mile Canyon. Turn around and you can see Denver and on a cool, clear day, probably Kansas. (not really but it seems that way). I have knocked around the high country quite a bit and been to the top of several peaks, and for the accessability and proximity to Denver and Boulder, Sugarloaf Mountain has some of the best panoramic views. Some of my personal highlights from Sugarloaf hikes: -Watching an eagle glide along on thermals, sometimes above me, sometimes below. -Waving at people in a glider and actually being able to hear the wings of the glider whistling through the air. -Watching the sun set below the snow-capped divide (you can see the Indian Peaks and Never Summer range from here) while sitting in adirondack style chairs made from loose slabs of stone on the western facing side of the peak. Drive west out of Boulder on Canyon (toward Nederland). About 5 miles. Turn right on Sugarloaf Rd., follow it about 4 miles to a right, watch for signs. Trailhead is just a dirt lot. Trail starts with gravel/dirt, becomes very rocky as you climb. Not very steep or challenging if you take your time. Also views of forest fire damage from recent years in surrounding foothills. Just don't do what I did with a visitor: Hiked up sugarloaf one day, biking the next day, on the third day of their visit (they were visiting from an elevation of 600ft.) we went to play racquetball in the morning. Ten minutes into racquetball my guest says "Are the lights in here flickering? Wait, I think I might pass out..." Oops. Altitude.

I was only in the Denver area for a week, so wanted to keep it lowkey with the hikes and went to…read morethe Flatirons to do so instead. Given that the Flatirons essentially sit at the base of the Rocky Mountains, this is a much more doable area for those who are just visiting and haven't acclimated to the change in elevation! There are a ton of hiking trails that stretch for miles and can be explored all throughout the Flatirons, but the best part of the Boulder Flatirons is its proximity to the city of Boulder! Boulder literally sits at the foothills of the Flatirons, so its a quick jaunt from the mountains to the city in this area and the city of Boulder has a great downtown, college town, and just generally a ton to offer to tourists and locals alike! A must visit when you're in the Denver area!

Absolutely breathtaking views from the top. It's so high up and was a challenging hike up to the…read more1st and 2nd Flatirons. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

I was traveling with my husband and daughter and we wanted to stop for a hike/walk…read more The path follows the St. Vrain Creek to the ponds. We said hello to horses along the way. It was interesting to see the flood lines on the trees along the river. This is a free hike. We parked at the Rogers Grove Park lot and picked up the trail from there. It crosses under Hover St/N 95th St. It is an easy walk with very little elevation gain. We walked to the St. Vrain River Waterfall and watched the ducks for a bit. This was a lovely stop while making our way up to Fort Collins.

Golden Ponds is great for what it is. Is it secluded with no sight or sound of roads, houses,…read morepeople? No. Does it feel like a bit of untapped nature within a short drive of your neighborhood making it easy to frequent? Absolutely! Many people walk, jog, and take their dogs here. I often see fishing as well. There are not too many bicycles. It is also great for any birders interested in water fowl, such as pelicans, cormorants, blue heron, and ducks. We have enjoyed taking our dogs to Golden Ponds over the years. With the area having a few ponds, you can switch up your walk. Some areas around the ponds are full sun and others offer a shaded reprieve. I have not had any issues finding parking, which is free. The park also has benches around ponds, canopied picnic tables, and flushing toilets in the restrooms near the entrance.