One of the best things about living in the Denver metro is that legitimate wilderness is shockingly close. You can leave your house in Capitol Hill, Highlands, or Centennial, and be on a real trail with real views in under 30 minutes. Here are some of our favorites — organized by difficulty.
Easy: North Table Mountain (Golden)
North Table Mountain is a flat-topped mesa rising just above Golden, and it's one of the most rewarding easy hikes in the metro. The trailhead is on the north side of town off Highway 93, and the main loop is about 7 miles with minimal elevation gain once you're on top. The views from the mesa looking back at Golden and the foothills are excellent. The trail is well-marked and popular with dogs (on-leash). Parking fills early on weekends, so aim for before 8am or after 3pm.
Easy/Moderate: Lair o' the Bear (Kittredge)
About 25 minutes southwest of Denver on Highway 74, Lair o' the Bear Open Space Park sits along Bear Creek and offers 9+ miles of trails through dense ponderosa pine forest. The creek-side trail is shaded and peaceful — a welcome contrast to the drier, exposed hikes closer to the plains. Dogs are allowed on-leash, and the creek crossings make it entertaining for families with kids. Parking at the Lair o' the Bear trailhead fills quickly; the Corwina Park lot a half-mile east usually has more room.
Moderate: Red Rocks Trading Post Trail
The Red Rocks amphitheater park is open every day, not just on concert nights. The Trading Post Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that winds through the famous red sandstone formations with consistent 180-degree views of the plains. There's also a connector to the longer Red Rocks Trail, which extends the route by several miles and links to Bear Creek Canyon. The park is free to enter for hiking; the parking lot fills early on summer weekends but the walk from the overflow areas is short.
Moderate: Mount Falcon (Morrison)
Mount Falcon Open Space Park offers one of the best ridge-line hikes in the metro area. The West Trailhead (off Parmalee Gulch Road, about 25 minutes from Denver) puts you at high elevation immediately, with a moderate 4-mile loop past the ruins of the Walker Home and the Summer White House site — remnants of a century-old plan to build a presidential retreat here. The views of the Continental Divide from the ridge are exceptional. Bring layers; the elevation (7,800 feet) and exposed ridge can be cold and windy even in spring.
Moderate/Strenuous: Chatfield State Park Trails
Chatfield is primarily known as a reservoir recreation area, but the trail system runs for miles through open grassland and cottonwood bottomland south of the dam. The South Platte River runs through the park, and the Audubon trails near the heron rookery are particularly scenic in spring when great blue herons are nesting. A Colorado Parks & Wildlife pass is required for vehicle entry (annual pass is $80 and pays for itself fast if you visit state parks regularly).
Strenuous: Green Mountain (Lakewood)
Don't let the name fool you — Green Mountain (part of Hayden Green Mountain Park in Lakewood, not to be confused with the Evergreen area) is a legitimate workout. The summit sits at 6,855 feet, and the various approach trails involve real elevation gain. The Rooney Valley approach and the William Frederick Hayden Park trails are the most popular. You get panoramic views of both the mountains and the metro from the top, and on a clear day the view stretches from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak.
A Few Tips for Any of These Hikes
Colorado weather is legitimately unpredictable in spring — afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly, especially above 6,000 feet. Start early, bring more water than you think you need (altitude dehydration is real), and always carry a light layer even on warm days. Cell service can be spotty in canyon areas like Lair o' the Bear and Chatfield. Download the AllTrails map offline before you leave the car.
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