Golden, Colorado

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Golden

  • Nederland, Colorado

    Drive the Peak to Peak Highway

    4.5
    55 mi / 705 ft gain
    The Peak to Peak Highway is a 55-mile stretch of road that winds its way from Nederland to Estes Park (or Estes Park to Nederland). This road connects to many points of exploration, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Rocky Mountain National Park to name a couple, but the drive itself is an adventur...
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  • Evergreen, Colorado

    Bristlecone Loop

    5.0
    0.29 mi / 73 ft gain
    On the way to the summit of Mt. Evans sits a small 160 acre preserve of some of the world's oldest living trees. The Mount Goliath Natural Area protects a rare site of Bristlecone Pines that make excellent photographic subjects. Immediately after parking you're surrounded by a miniature forest f...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Echo Lake Park Loop

    4.0
    1.23 mi / 103.02 ft gain
    Located at the base of Mt. Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. The park serves as a trailhead for hiking or snowshoeing into the Mount Evans Wilderness, offers picnic areas, and includes a nearby campground with 17 site...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Idaho Springs Reservoir via Echo Lake

    4.0
    3.64 mi / 826.12 ft gain
    This is a great hiking area an hour outside of Denver, Colorado. It's still easily accessible in the winter and most of the time it can be hiked without snowshoes. Starting at the Echo Lake parking lot, hike around the right side of the lake until you reach a fork in the trail. Follow the path o...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail

    2.93 mi / 223 ft gain
    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Lower and Upper Chicago Lake

    4.7
    9.22 mi / 2270 ft gain
    From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idah...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Sugarloaf

    4.5
    1.35 mi / 486 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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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hogback Ridge Trail

    2.85 mi / 830 ft gain
    Hogback Ridge Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Manitou Springs, Colorado.
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski at Caribou Ranch

    4.5
    4.2 mi / 750 ft gain
    The Caribou Ranch Open Space is about two miles north of the town of Nederland. From Nederland, at the town’s roundabout, head west on CO 72 for about two miles. Turn left onto CO 126 at the sign for Caribou Ranch Open Space. Follow the dirt road for about .8 miles until you see the large parking...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Eagle Sage Loop

    4.3
    3.77 mi / 164 ft gain
    This is a great trail if you are in the Boulder area and want something fairly easy or quick. This 3.75 loop can be hiked in about an hour and a half since it is fairly flat. The elevation gain is minimal. You start out at the Eagle Trailhead located west of the Boulder Reservoir. Start out at t...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    St. Mary's Glacier

    4.3
    1.86 mi / 758 ft gain
    Just West of Idaho Springs on I-70 take the St. Mary's Alice Exit. Take a right and stay on the main road and follow the signs for about 8 miles (watch on the right side of the road for a surprise pink pig). There are two parking lots for the trailhead. The larger one is South of the trail and a ...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Hiking James Peak (13,294')

    8.3 mi / 3000 ft gain
    James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. It is not an actual glacier yet a permeant snow field that is popular among skiers and snowboarders year round. St. Mary's Glaicer is a very popular destination (though m...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore 'The Hidden Gems' of Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 950 ft gain
    Getting There From Denver, go W on I-70 and take exit 238 for Fall River Rd. Continue on this road before taking a left on Alice Rd. Continue on Alice Rd. until you see the right hand turn for Steuart Rd. This is where you park. Do not attempt this road in a AWD or 2WD you definitely need a good ...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Hike to Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 948 ft gain
    When you start the hike to Loch Lomond, you'll have a few options for parking. The further up the road you go the trickier it's going to be to get back out. I parked at the bottom of the road and hiked my way up. The first mile or two is mostly elevation gain and to be quite honest I thought I wa...
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  • Aurora, Colorado

    Cherry Creek Dog Off-Leash Area

    4.3
    2.29 mi / 89 ft gain
    Cherry Creek Dog-Off Leash Area is an extended part of Cherry Creek State Park and encompasses 107 acres of fenced-in play area. Within the park there is a 3 mile loop trail that takes you through the trees and along the Cherry Creek. What makes this park so great is the several access points to ...
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  • Lone Tree, Colorado

    Bluffs Regional Park Trail

    5.0
    3.25 mi / 417 ft gain
    This loop trail is 2.7 miles long but has several options for overlooks that add 0.8 miles to the trip. This is an easy hike with minimal elevation gain and is a great option for the whole family. Every time I've done this hike I've seen numerous deer which only adds to the hike! 
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