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Boulder, Colorado

Looking for the best running in Boulder? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Boulder. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Running Spots in and near Boulder

  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Big Bluestem Trail Loop

    4.0
    4.35 mi / 841 ft gain
    This is a great spot for an easy/moderate hike or trail run. The trail is accessible year round and can often be hiked in winter as well as other seasons. You start out at the Mesa Trailhead parking lot off of Hwy 170. There is a parking lot here but this is a starting spot for several hikes into...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike Bear Peak

    4.8
    7 mi / 2810 ft gain
    The best advice I can give you? Wake up early to start this hike.Even though the Bear Peak hike will only take you about 4-5 hours round trip, it will still be advantageous to get off the mountain before afternoon and evening storms might pass through. This is a steep 7-mile out and back trail.St...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Doudy Draw Trail

    4.37 mi / 433 ft gain
    Doudy Draw Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike or Bike the Walker Ranch Loop

    4.7
    7.7 mi / 1740 ft gain
    When it comes to hiking trails in Boulder, the standard response usually consists of either Chautauqua Park or Mt. Sanitas, and while both offer excellent hiking options, they are both usually jam packed on the weekends. If you’re looking to stay close to the city, but want a little more seclusio...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

    3.49 mi / 1093 ft gain
    Rattlesnake Gulch Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Eldorado Springs, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf

    4.5
    1 mi / 400 ft gain
    To get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too fa...
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  • Longmont, Colorado

    McIntosh Lake Loop

    4.5
    3.6 mi / 72 ft gain
    McIntosh Lake is in northwest Longmont. The 3.6-mile loop extends all the way around the lake, with the first half being on a paved cement trail with neighborhood playgrounds, basketball, volleyball, and a seasonally open restroom. The trail turns to dirt on the western half of the loop, and here...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike the Mountain Lion Trail

    6.7 mi / 1230 ft gain
    There are three parking lots with direct access to the Mountain Lion Trail. The main one is off of Crawford Gulch Road, but any of them are good starting points!  This loop has pretty similar elevation gain and loss profiles no matter which way you go, so you can go any direction. This adventure ...
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  • Longmont, Colorado

    Hike or Trail Run on Rabbit Mountain, CO

    4.0
    3.95 mi / 472 ft gain
    This is a great hike/trail run in Boulder County. It is located between Longmont and Lyons and is part of Boulder County Open Space. Rabbit Mountain has over 5 miles of trails and 2,733 acres of beautiful open space. The views are incredible as most of your hike you are looking out at the entire ...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike the Sawmill to Maverick Loop

    4.3
    2 mi / 450 ft gain
    For this adventure, you'll be completing the Sawmill to Maverick loop. It is a short, but gentle trail that will take you through open meadows, to pine forests, and great views of Denver and Golden.Starting from the west parking area, cross the road and hit the Sawmill Trail. This trail starts ou...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike Beaver Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    2.3 mi / 1046 ft gain
    This trail starts off at Slough Pond, a great fishing pond or picnic spot. The trail starts out tree-covered. After a few tenths of a mile you have the choice to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you go counter-clockwise you have about 3/4 of a mile of steep uphill hiking to do (the Park rate...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike the Golden Cliffs Trail

    5.0
    From here, you can choose a few different hiking paths. This out-and-back trek starts at the trailhead up and to the left. Along the way you'll pass a bench dedicated to Craig Luebben — a writer, photographer and climbing guide. At this point, you probably haven't even broken a sweat yet. It's ti...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Pawnee & Buchanan Pass Loop

    5.0
    26.98 mi / 6978 ft gain
    Before you start your trip, get a camping permit from the Boulder Ranger Station. Plan to spend your first night in the Crater Lake BZ (Backcountry Zone), and your second in Buchanan BZ. If you're feeling particularly sedate, you can easily spend a third night in Coney Creek. Start early in the ...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike South Table Mountain

    4.0
    3.3 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Want to see a rainbow? Possibly some coyotes or other Colorado wildlife?This hike is full of twists and turns, mostly involving the trail, but also in surprises along the way.Drive into downtown Golden (grab some food if you're hungry) and then park at the base of the Golden Summit trail. Startin...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to Diamond Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

    5.0
    5.7 mi / 1361 ft gain
    Diamond Lake is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This is a super popular destination, so make sure you arrive early to get a parking spot (and be sure to follow all parking rules, they do give out tickets at this trailhead and others nearby). The drive to the trailhead is about 4 miles dow...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike Chimney Gulch Trail at Windy Saddle Park

    4.0
    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Just outside of Golden, CO is Lookout Mountain. If you’ve ever driven westbound on i70 from Denver to the mountains, you’ve undoubtedly seen this mountain to your right with antennas on the top. On the north side of Lookout Mountain lies Windy Saddle Park, about a 30 minute drive from Denver. Thi...
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