Our Favorite Hikes Near Denver
With the weather warming up, it’s a great time for Denverites to escape the heat of the city and hit the trails. Whether you’re looking for a stunning view or a physical challenge, we’ve got tons of great hiking options for the outdoor novice to the expert adventurer. Last summer, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joined producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to help narrow down our favorite hikes near the Mile High.
Here are links to all the hikes we mentioned:
- South Loop Trail at Elk Meadow Park (Near Evergreen)
- Enchanted Mesa behind Chautauqua Park (Boulder)
- Fountain Valley Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park (Near Morrison)
- Brother’s Lookout and Three Sisters Loop (Near Evergreen)
- Trail to the A (Outside Fort Collins)
- Picketwire Canyon Trail (Near Rocky Ford)
- Silverdale Heritage Trail (Near Georgetown)
- Sky Pond (Rocky Mountain National Park)
- Fancy Pass and Missouri Lakes Loop (Near Leadville)
Bree also talked about the Hanging Lake Trail reconstruction and the reservation system hikers can use to access the trail.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Is This the End of the 16th Street FreeRide? Plus, Another ICE Detention Center and an Influencer Disses Denver
Could the 16th Street shuttle disappear for good? As RTD grapples with a quarter-billion dollar budget shortfall, dozens of light rail li...

Is Childcare About to Get Cheaper? Plus, Local Venue Workers Unionize and What If Nightclubs Were Open Until 4 A.M.?
Parents and daycare providers have been sounding the alarm that childcare in Denver is expensive, hard to find, or hard to provide. This...

Would You Take the Bus to DIA? Plus, Long Lines at Water World and Colorado’s Road Rage Problem
Widening Peña Boulevard is still very much on the table, but DIA officials have recently agreed to explore options beyond just making mor...

Did the Media Give Sen. Hickenlooper a Pass? Plus, Turnover at Denver Central Market and GOP Voters Choose Victor Marx
Victor Marx is officially the Colorado Republican nominee for governor. The former marine who claims he’s performed exorcisms is now task...

Denver’s Best Burgers, a Jazzy New Wine Bar, and MAKFam’s Anticipated Expansion
Is a burger really a burger without cheese? Can a traditional patty compare to a smash patty? Does a burger taste better when it comes ou...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Denver Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Denver
There’s lots to love about Denver, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livabilit...

RIP FirstBank, DPS’s Superintendent Wants Out, and What’s Up With the DMV?
Goodbye, FirstBank! While PNC promised a smooth transition after it acquired the legacy “Colorado bank for you” for $4.1 billion, many cu...

Can Mayor Mike Claim a Win on Homelessness? Plus, Same-y Farmers Markets and McDonald's Fried Apple Pie
Did Denver really figure out how to solve homelessness? British news magazine The Economist recently touted Mayor Mike Johnston’s long-te...

City-Backed Theater Evicted, Casa Bonita Performers Allege Sexual Harassment, and LeBron to the Nuggets?
Since voting to unionize back in November of 2024, Casa Bonita performers have gone to the table 14 times to negotiate wages, security is...

What Cheap Parking Downtown Really Costs. Plus, Can BRT Be ‘Better’ on Colorado Boulevard?
Is the city’s new $5 downtown parking program worth it to Denverites? After Mayor Mike Johnston came on the show last week to talk up his...

