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The health and wellness bug catches more and more people around Denver. There is a growing advocacy to stay fit and healthy. Also, the allure and beauty of nature are grabbing the attention of many people nowadays. One activity that targets both is hiking, where you build stamina and resistance while being treated to an up-close view of nature's splendor.
Try the following hikes if you are headed out to Denver, Colorado, or nearby areas.
Chautauqua Park in Boulder
Just 40 minutes from the city, Chautauqua Park offers many trail options. It has one, if not the best, trail system on Colorado's Front Range. This park became famous because of the Flatiron formations that can be viewed on the trail. It is also near shops and restaurants.
Another option is a hidden alcove behind the Flatirons. Rehabilitated from the 2013 floods, The Royal Arch Trail outs hikers below a massive naturally-formed granite arch.
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The hike through the pine forest of The Enchanted Mesa Loop is also a great hike option in the area.
If you are in for a workout, try the more challenging Green Mountain, with the promise of a magnificent view on top.
Ouzel Falls
The Ouzel Falls is becoming a popular hiking spot in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Its main attraction is the rare calypso orchid, also called the fairy slipper orchid, endemic to the falls. It is often hidden beneath trees, but hikers going on a wildflower hike from Calypso Cascades to Ouzel Falls are sometimes treated to a sighting of it. If you are not lucky enough to glimpse the slipper orchid, you may still feast your eyes on the numerous wildflowers on this round-trip hike. The difficulty of this hike is moderate, commencing on a flat path with beautiful meadows of wildflowers and then gradually spiraling up a gentle incline. The trail gets steeper with the ascend to Ouzel Falls, but many attest that the sight of the majestic 40-foot waterfalls with an elevation of 9,370 feet is worth the climb.
Trading Post Trail (Red Rocks Park)
Let's start with The Trading Post Trail for newbies and neophytes in the hiking scene. This has a manageable difficulty and can be tried by the whole family. It also houses the Red Rocks Amphitheater and is less than 20 miles away from the town of Morrison, dubbed as the leading concert venue in the country. The trail is famous for its dramatic rocky outdroppings that can be seen at the foothills of the mountain. The Trading Post Trail gives breathtaking views throughout its well-manicured 2.8-mile loop. Since there are a lot of concerts in the summer, it is usually closed at around 2 P.M.
Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
Another gorgeous place for hiking is the Garden of the Gods. It features a beautiful red rock formation just outside of Colorado Springs. Short hiking trails sprout from the Visitors' Center. Some of these trails are paved, while some veer away from the main road and the crowds. On clear days, hikers are treated to a view of the Cathedral Valley. The hiking trail is difficult to moderate, and the loop trail is just around 4 miles. You also do not need to walk far from the parking lot to the path.
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Emerald Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park)
If you are looking for a short day hike, Emerald Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park is the best place to go. Traversing the lakes Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, with magnificent views of Longs Peak in the background, Emerald Lake is 1.8 miles from the trailhead and 10,000 feet in elevation. Also part of the trail are five active glaciers, one of which is the Tyndall Glacier, which feeds the Emerald Lake. It is best to use the park's shuttle service because parking space is scarce due to the heavy volume of hikers going there.
Roxborough State Park
The Roxborough State Park has a lot of trails in it. Declared a national natural landmark because of its geological wonders, such as fossil remains and hogback rides, the track is a quick drive from Denver. It encompasses 4,000 acres, with different hikes for each difficulty level.
The Willow Creek Trail is a loop covering 1.4 miles, leading to an oak forest and willow bush. Another charming addition is the presence of a creek, where you can dip your feet before commencing the hike.
Ready to find your dream home in Denver?
Let us help you. Call or Text Kenna Real Estate Group at 303-955-4220 to get personalized assistance from our expert real estate agents.
The most accessible trail is the Fountain Valley Trail, a loop of 2.2 miles. This trail offers a spectacular red-rock formation.
There's also Willow Creek Trail, a 1.4-mile loop that leads through oak forest and willow bush, with a creek where you can cool your feet before hiking onward.
You can also check out memorable hikes led by naturalists who guide you on treks exploring the area's geology, representing 1.2 billion years of history. Some of these naturalist hikes focus on single topics, like keeping a naturalist journal.
