When you look out over the mountain peaks that make Colorado one of the most beautiful places to live in the country, you may see certain summits that tower over the others, snowcapped even late into the summer. Many of these are known as 14ers, and their height reaches over 14,000 feet above sea level. There are 58 of these massive peaks in Colorado, the most of any state in the country, and conquering them is a rite of passage for any outdoor enthusiast. But don’t think you can just hop on a trail and summit a 14er—these monsters take more preparation than you might think. Here’s a handy... Read More

Boulder is famous for the majestic sandstone flatirons jutting from the mountainside above the town. Most people probably know that you can hike these soaring monoliths. The first and second flatiron trail is one of the most popular in Boulder County, climbing 2.7 miles through rocky debris and pine forests to sit among the boulders for which the city is named. Our Ratings: Crowd: 2/5. This is a very busy trail. On fair days and weekends you’ll be following a steady stream of other hikers up and down the mountain. Even at sunrise and during the winter the trail is well populated. If you’re... Read More

One of the wonderful things about Boulder culture is that everyone loves to be outside all the time. Unfortunately, that makes for crowded trails and busy trailheads. Part of the experience of the great outdoors is solitude with nature, and that can be a challenging thing to find in Boulder. Lucky for you, we’ve found some less-trafficked diamonds in the rough to feed that need to be alone in the wilderness. Anemone Hill Anemone Hill is a perfect solution for the introvert hiker who doesn’t want to drive far. This pleasant 2.4-mile out-and-back hike shares a parking lot with Mount Sanitas,... Read More

If you’re like me, you like getting outside with your furry best friend. But sometimes it’s hard to know what trails allow four-legged adventuring companions and which frown on it. Here at AboutBoulder we’ve compiled a list of the best dog-friendly hikes in the area so you’ll never have to leave your pup behind again! Royal Arch Trail This challenging 3.4-mile loop will gain 1,358 feet and provide you and your pooch with a killer workout. The trailhead begins in Chautauqua and splits off at the flagstone staircase—just follow the signs. Ascend through pine forests and wildflower meadows... Read More

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive out into the Indian Peaks Wilderness deep in Boulder County, there is a beautiful hidden gem of a trail waiting for you. Blue Lake and Little Blue Lake is a 6.3 mile out-and-back trail near Nederland, and offers one of the most rewarding hiking experiences in the area. Our Ratings: Crowd: 4/5. The Indian Peaks Wilderness area itself is very crowded, especially when it comes to parking. We ended up adding over a mile to our trek because we had to park so far away from the trailhead. But once you get on the trail, many hikers stop at the Little Blue Lake, which... Read More

You are a devout outdoorsman or outdoorswoman and nothing less than apocalyptic plague of locust would stop you from racing up mountains, rambling through rivers, or taking Zibeon, your falcon, out for a jaunt. A great place to start is   at the Hessie Trailhead, which leads into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, no matter your level of outdoorsy-ness. I list several hike options below ranging from easy to difficult. Easy Hikes First Waterfalls on Middle Boulder Creek: A very short hike from the actual trailhead, and just over 0.6 mile from parking along the easy access road, you can access the... Read More

You can find the Green Mountain West Trail up the winding roads of the Boulder County Open Space. This 2.7 mile out-and-back trail gains 627 feet and offers stunning mountain vistas and a vantage point of Boulder below. If the weather is good, get there early or late to find parking on the gravel side of the road. Our ratings: Crowd: 3.5/5. This is a moderately popular trail. Depending on the weather and time of day, you’ll be sharing this trail with a decent group of people. The hike itself typically isn’t very busy, but once you reach the summit you’ll be jockeying for space with most of... Read More

The trend does not include actual bathing, luckily, and does not necessarily even need to take place in a forest. Instead, forest bathing is an act of meditation and mindfulness meant to help you connect with nature, others, and yourself. “The point is to slow down and truly tune in your senses to the nature that surrounds you,” certified forest therapy guide Leona Campbell told Denver7. “We make our way though sight, what are the sounds, how does this feel, what are the smells?” she said. “Just a way of bringing ourselves into the present moment in a way we so rarely do.” Forest bathing... Read More

Settler’s Park is a pretty area with an array of short trails. With red rocks, springing up from the same formation that caused the well known music doused Red Rocks in Morrison, CO- the Fountain Formation- Settler’s park is alive with geology, ecology, and history. As City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks says on their website: “Settlers’ Park got its name because it was thought to be the location of the first permanent camp of American settlers in the Boulder area.” That was back in 1858, when the area was still just being explored. You can find more information... Read More

That’s right, the snow is finally mostly melted and even hiking novices can venture up those rocky monsters we can see miles and miles away from the Front Range. (Well, I guess you can’t see them from Boulder proper, but it’s cause we’re too close- which is all the better). Fourteener season can be super short. You never know how early that first massive snow storm is going to hit. The fourteeners are mostly all open all year, however sometimes the roads will be closed. Snow and ice are a constant for most of the year and require more gear (crampons, snowshoes, water proof... Read More