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Louisville, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Louisville

  • 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

    Hike the Flatirons Vista Loop Trail

    4.7
    3.3 mi
    From the parking lot, take South Flatiron Vista Trail for 2.4 miles, where you'll cross onto North Flatiron Vista Trail. In 1 mile, take the connector trail back to the trailhead. To shorten the loop to 2 miles, hike South Flatiron for just 1 mile to Prairie Vista Trail, which leads back to the c...
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  • 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

    Mars Blocks via Bear Canyon Trailhead

    4.89 mi / 1923 ft gain
    The Bear Canyon Trailhead is just one of many starting points for this hike, one could also start at NCAR, North Fork Shanahan, or any point on the Mesa Trail. For the purposes of this adventure, I'll start at Bear Canyon Trailhead in South Boulder. This hike will take you about 2-4 hours dependi...
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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

    Scramble Angel's Way

    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Angel's Way is an amazing 8 pitch rock climb scramble (5.2) that is tucked away in Skunk Canyon, hidden from the crowds of Chautauqua. The best part of this scramble is you only need your climbing shoes and chalk-bag. It is similar to the 'Free Way' on the Second Flatiron. I would encourage ev...
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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 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

    Hike South Boulder Peak

    4.5
    6.7 mi / 2900 ft gain
    Starting at the Mesa trailhead, continue a half a mile through a relatively even grade before arriving at the North Fork Shanahan trailhead, which will take you another half a mile on much steeper grade up to Fern Canyon where you will start a much harder portion of the hike; here, you'll head st...
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  • 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

    Catch a Boulder Sunrise from NCAR

    A great place to watch the sunrise in Boulder is at NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Park in the parking lot at the top of the hill, and if you're feeling up to it, you can walk south for about 10 minutes to an adjacent hill with beautiful views. Either way, you will want to ge...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Woods Quarry via NCAR

    4.2
    3.28 mi / 755 ft gain
    You can start from Chautauqua Park, but I prefer to start at NCAR, especially since there is ample parking and you can take a bathroom break inside before hitting the trail. From the intersection of Table Mesa Drive and Broadway in Boulder, drive west on Table Mesa to its end at the NCAR buildin...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail

    4.0
    1.4 mi / 440 ft gain
    Start out on McClintock Trail for 0.7 miles (this particular stretch can get muddy), before switching over to Enchanted Mesa Trail. To add a scenic 0.4 miles to your hike, take the Quarry Loop by turning right at the stone cabin, then following the steps up to the quarry, where you can overlook t...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Royal Arch Trail

    4.4
    3.32 mi / 1220 ft gain
    Royal Arch Trail climbs up Boulder's famous Chautauqua Park to an archway formed by sandstone rocks that tower over thirty feet high. Start at the Chautauqua Trail Station by the Ranger Station, and continue up Bluebell Road for 0.7 miles. You will then arrive at a more forested area, where you ...
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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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Camping and Lodging in Louisville

Kelly Dahl
Rollinsville, Colorado

Kelly Dahl

Cold Springs
Black Hawk, Colorado

Cold Springs

Pickle Gulch
Black Hawk, Colorado

Pickle Gulch

Camp Dick
Lyons, Colorado

Camp Dick

Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday
Central City, Colorado

Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday

Pawnee
Ward, Colorado

Pawnee

Guides, Insights and Stories from Louisville

For A Time Like This - Backyard Wildlife Photography

For A Time Like This - Backyard Wildlife Photography

Brynn Schmidt

From Here to Anywhere: Rent an Adventure Van from Boulder's A-Lodge

From Here to Anywhere: Rent an Adventure Van from Boulder's A-Lodge

The Outbound Collective

Fall is the Right Time to Visit Boulder

Fall is the Right Time to Visit Boulder

The Outbound Collective

Rediscovering One of the Best Areas to Hike Near Boulder, Colorado

Rediscovering One of the Best Areas to Hike Near Boulder, Colorado

Kyle Reader

Find Your Home at the Boulder A-Lodge This Summer

Find Your Home at the Boulder A-Lodge This Summer

The Outbound Collective

5 Short Hikes in Boulder, Colorado

5 Short Hikes in Boulder, Colorado

Kyle Frost