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Idaho Springs, Colorado

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

Top Running Spots in and near Idaho Springs

  • Boulder, Colorado

    Shanahan Ridge Trail

    4.0
    3.84 mi / 715 ft gain
    Starting on the edge of a neighborhood in South Boulder, this 3.8 mile loop begins its 869 foot elevation gain by meandering through a pine forest. You can 'choose your own adventure' by exploring the handful of trails that meet up with the Shanahan Ridge Trail, such as the South Mesa Trail, Shad...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Boulder's Skyline Traverse

    5.0
    14.77 mi / 4583 ft gain
    Have you ever reached the bottom of a hike with some friends and thought, 'That was nice, but I'd still like to hike more... a lot more.'? Then the Skyline Traverse is for you. Instead of hiking just Green Mountain or Bear Peak, the Skyline Traverse links South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak, Green Mou...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    South Boulder Creek - Mesa Trail - Lower Big Bluestem Loop

    4.0
    4.46 mi / 453 ft gain
    This 4 mile loop ascends only a slight amount in elevation, making for a pleasant loop in which opportunities for appreciation of the nature around you and broad vista photography are in plentiful supply. A great hike for those who may still be building their fitness, as so many trails in Boulder...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail

    5.45 mi / 2313 ft gain
    Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Trail Run Near Boulder - NCAR Hill Climb

    4.5
    2 mi / 700 ft gain
    The NCAR Hill Climb, so named because it ends at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, is popular with cyclists, but is a great choice for runners as well. Follow the NCAR - Table Mesa Trail to the top, with beautiful views of the Flatirons and surrounding hills during any season.Make sur...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike to the 1st Flatiron

    4.6
    2.4 mi / 1422 ft gain
    Starting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) tur...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Red Rocks Loop Trail

    3.7
    1 mi
    Parking is available on either Canyon or Sunshine Roads. During the weekends it tends to get crowded around sunset so plan accordingly. The entire trail is a loop and is a little over 1 mile in length so it doesn't take too long. The main feature is the massive red sand stone rocks that jut out o...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Red Rocks and Anemone Trail Loop

    1.26 mi / 459 ft gain
    Red Rocks and Anemone Trail Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Peak Trail

    2.57 mi / 1296 ft gain
    Explore the natural wonders of Boulder, Colorado, with the Mount Sanitas Peak Trail hike. This trail offers stunning vistas of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and Colorado's Front Range. This hike is just over 2.5 miles with about 1300 feet of elevation gain.  Parking and Access: Start your hik...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Sunshine Lion's Lair Loop

    5.0
    5.05 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This is a mix of trails that will bring you on an easy loop to the peak of Mt Sanitas, but will keep you away from the usual crowds of the more well-known paths up. The hike is a clear path that brings you 5+ miles from around 5,500 ft in elevation to 6,800.  You'll start at the Centennial Trail...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Loop & Settlers Park

    4.4
    3.83 mi / 1371 ft gain
    First off, these are two different hikes but both stem from the same parking lot and Settlers Park is a mere 5 minutes away from where you park so why not kill two birds with one stone? One of the more popular hikes in Boulder, Mount Sanitas is a 3 mile hike that quickly scales nearly 1,350 feet...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas + Sunshine Canyon loop

    5.03 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This loop takes you up Sunshine Canyon, a milder and less crowded grade when compared to the popular Sanitas ridge. You'll head up the canyon for a bit before reaching the terminus of the canyon trail -- where you'll cross the road to pick up on the Lions Lair connector. Continue following this u...
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  • Littleton, Colorado

    Hike the Coyote Song-Swallow Trail Loop

    3.8
    3 mi / 350 ft gain
    We all love to live our weekends to the fullest, but say you're itching for an adventure and it's midweek with the weekend still a good 3 or 4 days away? South Valley Park is the place to go if you're looking for an after-work adventure or just don't feel like driving too far from the city. A sho...
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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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  • Littleton, Colorado

    Hike the Meadowlark Plymouth Trail

    4.0
    6 mi / 1197 ft gain
    From the parking lot, you can take the Meadowlark trail to the west or the Plymouth Creek Trail to the southeast. It does not matter which trail you take because it ends up becoming loop. For a more gradual slope up the hill, take the Meadowlark trail. After a little more than a mile, it intersec...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to Columbine Lake

    5.0
    7 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The hike is about seven miles, give or take, however it feels longer. The elevation gain is little over 1000 feet. The drive here is about 45 minutes from both Granby and Winter Park, and is definitely worth it.  You follow a trail dusted with wildflowers for the majority of the hike, and occasio...
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