Colorado is known for having some of the most beautiful hikes in the country in towns from Telluride to Aspen to Steamboat or Crested Butte. But you don’t have to drive that far to experience this beauty. There are plenty of great hikes within a 2 hour drive of Denver!
Here are just a few of the trails you can access close to the city.
Independence Mountain Trail
2.1 miles | Moderate | 741 ft. elevation gain | Hike info
This trail may be short, but the elevation gain makes it a little bit of a workout still. It winds through some trees before ending in a beautiful, sweeping view of the surrounding area and beyond.
Since the trail is short and it’s only about a 40 minute drive from Denver, this is a great hike to do in the morning before work! Or in the afternoon after work.
Silver Dollar Lake and Murray Lake Trail
4.1 miles | Moderate | 1,066 ft. elevation gain | Hike info
The hike packs three alpine lakes into a relatively short distance! And ends in some pretty amazing views. At only about a 1.5 hour drive from Denver, it’s a great morning or afternoon hike and a bit of an exercise. For even more, try hiking up above Murray Lake!
Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
1.3 miles | Moderate | 439 ft. elevation gain | Hike info
Here’s another short but sweet hike close to Denver. But don’t let the short distance fool you, this hike is mostly uphill and can tire you out! Located right outside of Boulder, this trail is only about an hour drive from Denver and will give you beautiful 360 degree views of the mountains and the city. Try hiking this at sunrise or sunset for some even more amazing views!
Any Trail in Chautauqua Park
Located in Boulder, Chautauqua Park is a very popular hiking spot with over 40 miles of hiking trails. The park offers a variety of hikes ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, with stunning views of the Flatirons and Boulder Valley.
Some popular trails include:
- First & Second Flatirons Loop: 2.7 miles | Moderate | 1,427 ft. of elevation gain | Hike info
- The Royal Arch Trail: 3.4 miles | Hard | 1,469 ft. of elevation gain | Hike info
Any Trail in Lair o’ the Bear Park
This is another great park close to Denver with a variety of trails. The park features many trails ranging from easy walks to moderate hikes.
Some popular trails include:
- Bear Creek Trail to the Castle: 2.0 miles | Easy | 147 ft. of elevation gain | Hike info
- Bear Creek Trail to Panorama Point: 6.7 miles | Moderate | 1,125 ft. of elevation gain | Hike info
Herman Gulch Trail
6.4 miles | Hard | 1,758 ft. of elevation gain | Hike info
This is one of my favorite hikes close to Denver. It’s an easy 1 hour drive and the trailhead is right off I70. But once on the hike, you’ll completely forget how close to the highway you started! You hike back into the mountains near Silver Plume to a beautiful alpine lake. The hike is pretty hard, especially during the last mile climb up to the lake. But it’s worth every hard breath.
Arapahoe Pass & Dorothy Lake Trail
7.1 miles | Moderate | 1,942 ft. of elevation gain | Hike info
Located in Nederland, this trail is about a 1.5 hour drive from Denver. Nederland has tons of amazing trails and this is one of my favorites in the area. The Arapahoe Pass Trail leads to several different destinations with off shoot trails, so Dorothy Lake is only one of these options.
The trail leads up through the side of a valley to another overlook area, with beautiful views the whole way. You can either end at Dorothy Lake or continue on farther if you’d like.
