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As the summer season kicks off in Denver, outdoor enthusiasts get ready to stretch their legs and take to the woods. Whether you’re looking for an easy day hike or a more strenuous sunrise-to-sunset adventure, there’s a hike for every ability. Read on for some of the best hikes to explore around Denver this summer:
The Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark that offers gorgeous hiking opportunities among the beautiful red rock formations. From the visitor center, you can choose one of the short hiking trails to explore, or you can take the 4-mile loop trail to make the most of the area. Some of the more popular trails to explore are the Perkins Central Garden Trail (a 1.5-mile paved loop), the Siamese Twins Trail (a moderate .5-mile loop with views of Pikes Peak framed by twin red rock towers), and the Ridge Trail (a moderate .5-mile loop). Located just outside of Colorado Springs, about an hour from Denver, this park in the foothills is a great family-friendly hiking spot. Be sure to check out Cathedral Valley where a striking view of Longs Peak is visible on clear days.
Just a short trip to Boulder gets you to Chautauqua Park. With amazing views of the Flatirons Mountains, the scenery can’t be beat. Here, you can choose your trail based on experience, time frame, and energy level. If you’re up for a challenge, the Royal Arch Trail is quite the adventure. It’s also quite the workout. At 0.8-mile long, with 880-feet elevation gain, this strenuous trail will test your legs and your willpower. You can take either the main Chautauqua Trail or the access road up to reach the Royal Arch trail. Once on the trail, you’ll encounter a winding path through the trees before reaching a whole lot of stairs. You’ll reach the top of a hill, drop down, and then ascend again before reaching the Arch. The stunning views at the top will make the work worth it. Of course, there are plenty of other trails in Chautauqua Park to check out, including the Flatirons trails and the 6.9-mile long Mesa trail.
If you’re looking to explore the Rocky Mountain National Park this summer, one short but stunning hike to take is the Emerald Lake trail. On this 3.6-mile round-trip hike, you’ll get a chance to see some pristine alpine lakes, including Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and of course, Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake is fed by the Tyndall Glacier and offers some picture-perfect views. Many people choose to enjoy their lunch with the beautiful backdrop of the lake. Make sure to bring your camera along, as you’ll also get spectacular views of Longs Peak, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and Glacier Gorge along the way. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can choose to take the more challenging Flattop Mountain Trail nearby. At less than two hours from downtown Denver, the Rocky Mountain National Park is a magnificent option for hikers of all abilities.
About an hour from downtown Denver, you’ll find the Herman Gulch Trail, just a short ride from Georgetown. Being one of the less popular hikes in the area surrounding Denver, you may just be able to avoid the crowds of hikers. Many hikers recommend going on weekdays if you can and starting in the early morning hours. Start at the Herman Lake Trailhead off of I-70 in Bakersville. The trail is on the longer side, about 6.3-miles, but it still manages to be family and dog-friendly for those in relatively good hiking shape. This beautiful hike takes you through a watershed, meaning you can expect to encounter some wildlife along the way, including moose, bears, and other animals. One highlight of visiting in the summer season is the array of stunning wildflowers along the trail. You’ll also get mountain views, waterfalls, and a tundra to explore. Since this trail is part of the Continental Divide Trail, you have the option of continuing on to summit another mountain as part of your journey if you’re feeling up for the challenge.
With just a short trip out of the city, you’ll find plenty of ways to get active and connect with nature in the beautiful mountains and woods of Colorado. Whether you’re in the mood for an easy hike with a group of friends, or you prefer a more challenging day-long adventure, Denver’s surrounding area is full of trails to suit every hiker’s needs.
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