Hiking and Denver Are Inseparable: 7 Trails to Explore Within an Hour of Colorado’s Capital

Editor’s Note: This post is sponsored by Fjällräven.

Bundle up, get out of the city, and explore some of the best hiking in the Denver area.

Denver’s allure lies in its proximity to breathtaking natural landscapes. With the high plains giving way to the majestic Rocky Mountains, the area is a gateway to a network of trails so extensive that it can take a lifetime to explore.

Fortunately, you don’t need to venture far from the city to discover a wealth of stunning hiking options. Within just an hour’s drive, you can access trails stretching from Boulder to Colorado Springs and beyond. In this guide, we’ll highlight seven exceptional hikes that never fail to provide a quality outdoor experience.

1. Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, USA. Photo: Shutterstock

Located just outside Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a stunning getaway for hikers of all abilities. In a little over an hour’s drive from Denver, you can immerse yourself among the vertically thrust sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate rock formations that have made the park a favorite for Colorado hikers. Two million visitors explore its 1,300 acres and 21 miles of trails annually.

Garden of the Gods caters to everyone. Hikers looking for something easy can try the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail, a 1.1-mile loop that visits the highest rock formations in the park. If you’re seeking a longer hike, the six-mile Outer Loop Trail provides added distance and elevation change.

And the cherry on top: The park is completely free! Explore the rock formations in the afternoon shadow of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak without spending a penny.

Length: 1-6 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: On-site, free
Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Nov. 1 to April 30); 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (May 1 to Oct. 31)

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In addition to Sanitas, the other must-visit hike in Boulder is the 3.3-mile climb to Royal Arch in Chautauqua Park. The trail has several uphill and downhill sections, climbing 1,400 feet up into the iconic Flatirons south of the city. The reward at the top is a large sandstone arch, along with sweeping views that stretch from Boulder to Denver on clear days.

Given its popularity among the Boulder hiking community, the trail can get busy on weekends and holidays, so be sure to get an early start to avoid the congestion.

Length: 3.3 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Restrooms: Yes, at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage
Parking: Paid parking on weekends and summer holidays, $2.50 per hour; free during weekdays, and outside of summer season; free parking is also available in surrounding neighborhoods
Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

4. North Table Mountain

Golden, Colorado, United States: view of houses in Golden from North Table Mountain, Lookout Mountain in the back. Photo: Shutterstock

If you are in Denver and short on time for a hike, North Table Mountain in Golden is a perfect choice to get your outdoor fix. The 2,000-acre park sits on a 60-million-year-old lava flow that rises several hundred feet above the surrounding plains. Once you ascend the several hundred feet to the mesa, the trails are relatively flat, and there are several loop options to choose from among the 15 miles of trail.

North Table Mountain is open for hiking year-round, but it’s especially beautiful in the spring and early summer when wildflowers are in bloom. The Tilting Mesa to Mesa Top loop is a popular trail in the park, climbing more than 500 feet over 3.2 miles on the west side of the mesa.