all hikes

Boulder, CO: 70 Percent Dirt

Ditch your beloved road bike for a dirty affair with 'cross wheels on this pavement-averse tour of Front Range gravel.

Boulder, CO: Anne U. White Trail

The rocky recess of Fourmile Canyon offers up one of Boulder's less-traveled foothill trails. Canyon shade and a crisscrossing creek keep this 3.1-miler perfect for a summer afternoon.

Boulder, CO: Arapahoe Glacier Trail

From coniferous forests to intimate alpine lakes to views of the Continental Divide, this 12-miler offers classic Rocky Mountain scenery.

Boulder, CO: Arapaho Pass

Hike this gentle, 6.1-mile out-and-back in midsummer when an explosion of wildflowers dominates the climb to this grassy pass in the Indian Peaks.

Boulder, CO: Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak

Tag two neighboring summits that overlook Boulder--and climb nearly 3,000 feet in the process--on this 8.3-mile lasso loop to Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak.

Boulder, CO: Bear Peak via Fern Canyon

The climb on this 7.6-mile loop to Bear Peak is, well, a bear, gaining 2,800 stair-studded feet. The payoff: Long views into Boulder, Denver, and the Indian Peaks.

Boulder, CO: Bear Peak via Shadow Canyon

Put your quads and endurance to the test on this 6.6-mile hike that features steep scrambles, boulder-strewn canyons, and dramatic views from Bear Peak.

Boulder, CO: Best Blends

A Bicycling Magazine "Best Blend" ride, featured in the September 2008 issue.

Boulder, CO: Betasso Preserve

The 1,000-foot climb from Boulder to Betasso Preserve pays off with a 3-mile circuit on banked and off-camber singletrack--an ideal cross-country primer.

Boulder, CO: Big Bluestem Trail to South Boulder Creek Trail

This easy, 4.4-mile loop outside Boulder links Big Bluestem Trail to South Boulder Creek Trail and features vibrant wildflowers and 5-star views of the Flatirons.

Boulder, CO: Blue Lake

Sampling the best of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, this 5-milers traverses alpine meadows up to a sparkling lake perched below the Continental Divide.

Boulder, CO: Caribou Ranch Loop

Nestled between Nederland and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area, this 4.26 mile lollipop trail takes you by mountain vistas on your way to a 19th century homestead.

Boulder, CO: Caribou Ranch Loop

Nestled between Nederland and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area, this 4.3-mile lollipop trail reveals mountain vistas en route to a 19th-century homestead.

Boulder, CO: Flatiron Loop

Get up-close and personal with the signature red sandstone of Boulder’s legendary Flatirons while catching inimitable views of the Eastern Plains on this 2.89-mile Front Range classic.

Boulder, CO: Flatirons Loop

Get up-close and personal with Boulder's signature Flatirons on this popular 2.9-mile loop that leads to a rocky perch high above Chautauqua Park.

Boulder, CO: Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon

Pine-dotted canyons, a gurgling creek, and summit views of Rocky Mountain National Park highlight this 5.4-mile dayhike near Boulder.

Boulder, CO: Hall Ranch Loop

This 10-mile loop begins with a stiff, sometimes technical, climb then speeds into rolling forestland and endless grassy meadows to an old ranch in the shadow of Longs Peak.

Boulder, CO: Hall Ranch via the Antelope Trail

Blaze through conifer tunnels into open meadows of tall grass and brush on this 7-mile trail ride north of Boulder.

Boulder, CO: Heil Valley Ranch

Snake through ponderosa pines and an unending succession of rock problems on this 9.4-mile lollipop that tops out at a stunning high-desert overlook.

Boulder, CO: Isabelle Glacier

Trek past cloud-scraping peaks and shimmering lakes en route to breathtaking views of the Isabelle Glacier on this 8.1-miler in the untamed Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Boulder, CO: Lost Lake (Winter Route)

Snowshoe into a small mountain lake on this gentle, 5-mile out-and-back in Indian Peaks Wilderness--a perfect winter getaway from the city.

Boulder, CO: Mallory Cave

Climb past ponderosa stands, golden meadows, and Boulder's iconic Flatirons to a hidden cave in Chautauqua Park on this 6.8-mile out-and-back.

Boulder, CO: Mount Audubon

Compared to its jagged neighbors, this 13,000-foot summit is one of the easier peaks (no technical scrambling required) to tick off in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Boulder, CO: Mount Sanitas Loop

This 3.4-mile loop, featuring countless log steps and narrow rock passages, travels up and over one of Boulder's challenging summits.

Boulder, CO: Mount Sanitas via Dakota Ridge Trail

This 4-miler starts with a gentle climb along rolling ridgeline, then cranks it up a notch with an obstacle course of steep rock steps and tightly-spaced boulders.

Boulder, CO: Mount Sanitas via Mount Sanitas Trail

Navigate an obstacle course of countless log steps, steep rock slabs, and giant boulders on this 2.8-mile hike to a small summit overlooking Boulder.

Boulder, CO: Niwot Alternative Loop

Sample suburban recreational trails on this easy 3.8-mile Niwot route that showcases views of the Front Range along it's eastern fringe.

Boulder, CO: Rainbow Lakes

In the shadow of Caribou Peak and Bald Mountain, this easy 1.6-mile out-and-back leads to a pot of gold—a cluster of Rainbow Lakes.

Boulder, CO: Rainbow Lakes to Arapahoe Glacier

Tour Rainbow Lakes' subalpine waters before climbing through pine forests, past hidden lakes, and over 13ers en route to the Continental Divide.

Boulder, CO: Royal Arch

This popular loop through Boulder's Chautauqua Park tops out at a stunning rock arch framing views of Front Range foothills and the plains.

Boulder, CO: Shadow Canyon

This 3.5-mile out-and-back climbs into Shadow Canyon, passing an old homestead and striking views of Boulder's Flatirons.

Boulder, CO: Super Jamestown

One of Boulder's gnarliest climbs, this 42-miler pays off with stunning views of Indian Peaks from a high-altitude dirt road.

Boulder, CO: Taylor Mountain Pond

A picture-perfect pond at the end of this mellow 0.8-mile hike makes this trip in the Roosevelt National Forest an easy overnight option for families—and the faint-of-heart.

Boulder, CO: Woods Quarry

Hit the Enchanted Mesa en route to this little-visited destination--stone recliners overlooking the city of Boulder--on this 2.9-mile loop in Chautauqua Park.

Denver, CO: Beaver Brook

One of the Front Range's best hikes, this 10-mile point-to-point offers solitude, mountain views, and a couple of thigh-burning climbs.

Denver, CO: Golden Gate Panorama Point

Mule deer, raccoon, elk, and black bear: sample the scattered wildlife of Golden Gate Canyon (and a Continental Divide panorama) on this 12.25-mile loop.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Balanced Rock via Cow Creek Trail

Trek from a golden, mountain-rimmed valley to a ponderosa and lodgepole forest with towering rock formations on this 8-miler in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Boulder Brook to Glacier Gorge

Rushing waterfalls, mountainous views, and a healthy dose of altitude highlight this 6.3-mile loop in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Chasm Lake

For the ultimate view of Longs Peak's 1,000-foot Diamond Face, climb to Chasm Lake on this 8-mile out-and-back that tops out above treeline.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake to Sprague Lake Loop

Traverse exposed ridgelines, pass under thick pine stands and enjoy postcard views of Rocky Mountain National Park on this 20.5-mile lollypop loop.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake to Sprague Lake Loop

Traverse exposed ridgelines and thick pine forests for postcard views of Rocky Mountain National Park on this 20.6-mile lollipop loop.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lone Pine Lake via East Inlet Trail

Following an ancient glacial retreat, this 14.6-mile out-and-back on the East Inlet Trail traverses moose country toward a couple of lonely alpine lakes.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Longs Peak via Clark's Arrow and the Keyhole

Climb this iconic summit on an uncrowded sneak route.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lost Lake

Lost Lake. Stormy Peaks. These places represent their names well on this 19.5-mile out-and-back in the northeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: North Inlet Trail

This 18.8-miler follows the North Inlet through aspen groves, spruce stands, and marshland (feeding grounds of bugling elk) to a campground tucked beneath the Continental Divide.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Ouzel Lake

Amble along rushing creeks, waterfalls, and lichen-covered rock outcroppings on the way to a secluded alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park's Wild Basin.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Sky Pond

This 8.2-mile hike skirts wind-scoured lakes and scrambles up the edge of a waterfall before arriving at Sky Pond, where crumbling spires stretch 2,000 feet into the air.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Trail Ridge Road

This 50-miler in Rocky Mountain National Park tours Colorado's signature (and highest) paved pass, revealing epic views up to treeline and beyond.

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Photos + Videos

Editors' Choice 2010: Climbing the Monch BACKPACKER editors cap their Swiss gear-testing trip with a climb of the 13,474-foot Monch.	Editors' Choice 2010 Videos: Zamberlan 760 Steep GT This uncommonly comfortable boot tackles the biggest terrain in our video review.

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all hikes

Photos + Videos

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