It’s no secret that Colorado is home to some of the most scenic, challenging hiking trails in the country. With nearly 40,000 miles across more than 17,000 distinct trails, there’s something for everyone — whether you’re stepping foot on a trail for the first time or a seasoned veteran. However, hikes near Denver can be hard to find.
When I first moved west, it was challenging for me to find solid hikes near Denver. So many of the “Best Hikes Near Denver” articles you’ll find online list trails that are 1+ hours from the city. Which is great if you’re here on vacation or planning a day trip, but if you’re looking to go on a quick, low-intensity hike either before work or at the end of your day — or even in the middle of the day — they’re not super helpful.
Fortunately, there are tons of amazing hikes right in the Denver metro area (although you won’t find serious elevation gains in the foothills), making them easily accessible to even the most casual hiking enthusiast. Below you’ll find my favorite hikes near Denver. Each one is less than 45 minutes from downtown Denver, making them great options if you’re looking to get a little fresh air and exercise without having to plan your entire day around it.
Prepping for hiking in Colorado
Before we get into the list, let’s talk prep. A lot of people ask me what kind of gear they need to hike in Colorado. And the truth is, quite honestly, not much. Fancy equipment and high-end athletic clothing are nice-to-haves, but they’re certainly not necessary to hike in Denver or really anywhere. However, with the dry, rocky terrain, I find a good pair of hiking boots (like these basic Columbia boots) go a long way in making your hikes easier and more enjoyable when you’re less concerned about your feet slipping.
My favorite hikes near Denver
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Everyone knows Red Rocks is one of the best concert venues in the world, but there’s also a ton of trails here and they’re some of my favorites for a quick, gorgeous workout. Trading Post Trail, Morrison Slide Loop, and Mount Vernon Creek Trail Loop — just to name a few — are all excellent options, offering easy-to-moderate terrain and routes you can knock out in 1.5 hours or less.
Green Mountain/William F. Hayden Park
William F Hayden Park on Green Mountain provides 17 trails from easy beginner loops to challenging 1000ft vertical gains with an 6,800-foot summit that offers stunning views of the Denver metro area to the east and the peaks of the Rockies to the west. There’s minimal shade and can be muddy in the winter, so make sure you check the weather and trail conditions before heading out.
Mount Falcon Park
Driving to Mount Falcon park makes you feel like you’re farther out than you really are with stunning views and many trails to explore from beginner to hard. There is decent shade on many trails, which means they remain snow-covered for longer than you’d expect. This is one of those trails that makes me thankful for waterproof boots even when I’m not expecting to need them.
Alderfer Three Sisters
Although it’s a bit of a drive into the foothills, some of my favorite hikes near Denver (in neighboring Evergreen) are in Alderfer Three Sisters park. Named for Hank Alderfer, who sold his family’s ranch to Jefferson County Open Space to ensure the land always be accessible by all and never turned into a subdivision, which would probably have been a real risk! It’s hard not to feel thankful to Hank and other conservationists for protecting these sacred spaces.
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