Summit County includes the mountain towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone, Frisco, and Breckenridge. It’s a summer and winter paradise. We call it our playground! With endless outdoor trails and activities, you could be here for weeks.
LILY PAD LAKES TRAIL
SILVERTHORNE
Lily Pad Lakes Trail is an easy day hike to a fairytale-like setting with possible sightings of moose and an abundance of wildflowers in summer. A hike you will do again!
Rated: Easy > READ MORE
PTARMIGAN TRAIL
SILVERTHORNE
Ptarmigan Trail is all about the views of all the surrounding peaks in Summit County. Sweeping views of Dillon Lake, Ten Mile Range, Gore Range, and the Continental Divide.
Rated: easy/moderate >READ MORE
WEST RIDGE TRAIL
LOVELAND PASS
West Ridge Trail, wow, what a hike! At the top of Loveland Pass. I thought I’d seen the best views before from high alpine hikes but not like this. Think you need pine trees for an exciting Colorado hike? Well, no you really don’t. This hike is exhilarating.
Rated: moderate >READ MORE
MOHAWK LAKES TRAIL
BLUE RIVER
Mohawk Lakes Trail is one of Colorado’s best day hikes. Starting at 10,390′ elevation and reaching 12,000′ this hike has it all. Alpine lakes, old cabins, creek crossings, summer wildflowers, a stupendous waterfall, and unimaginable views.
Rated: moderate > READ MORE
Hiking Umbrella – For rain, sleet, and sun protection. I use mine more than I thought! Lightweight & attaches to your backpack.
Smartwool hiking socks – Last a long time and help with blisters, sweating, and comfort. Pricey yet worth it!
Osprey Backpacks – So comfortable. I have 2 sizes! One for summer, and a larger one for winter gear.
McCULLOUGH GULCH TRAIL
HOOSIER PASS
McCullough Gulch Trail is a bit on the strenuous side of moderate but so worth the effort. Nothing is lacking on this trek, it’s an alpine playground sitting alongside Quandary Peak. You will find an old miners’ cabins, a stunning waterfall, a gorgeous alpine lake, and log water crossings.
Rated: challenging moderate > Summer READ MORE
>Winter READ MORE
SPRUCE CREEK TRAIL
BLUE RIVER
Spruce Creek Trail Loop is beautiful every season. Starting off meandering through a forest of pines with the added option of hiking to Mohawk Lakes above treeline it’s truly Colorado at its best. I loved it in the snow. Sensational snowshoe hike!
Owning snowshoes gets you outside year-round!
Rated: moderate > READ MORE
Non-essential but fun to have hiking!
Popular book if new or visiting Colorado
Kids love hiking too!
MAYFLOWER GULCH HIKE
FREMONT PASS
Mayflower Gulch is an awesome adventure. An easy uphill mile tops at views of Mayflower Hill (elevation 12,389 ft), Pacific Peak (elevation 13,950 ft), and Fletcher Mountain (elevation 13,951 ft). You can explore remnants of the late 1800s Boston Mine Camp, or keep going on several trail options.
Just the best backcountry getaway in every season. Easy to get to and doable for just about anyone. Do this trail once and you’ll be back!
Rated: easy/moderate > Summer READ MORE > winter READ MORE
CRYSTAL LAKES TRAIL
BRECKENRIDGE
Crystal Lakes Trail is a haven of alpine scenery. Views of the Ten Mile Range alongside Lower Crystal Lake nestled below the mountain ridges are gorgeous. One beautiful hike through deep forests, wildflower-lined meadows, and Crystal Creek running through it all.
Rated: Moderate/hard > READ MORE
BLACK POWDER PASS TRAIL
BOREAS PASS
Black Powder Pass Trail at the Summit of Boreas Pass near Breckenridge, CO. is a 3.2-mile, slightly challenging trail. A hike to a panorama of gorgeous high-peak views! Pack a lunch, check out the railroad relics of yesteryear, and wander up Black Powder Pass.
Rated: easy/moderate > READ MORE
MASON TOWN LOOP
FRISCO
Masontown Loop Trail offers hiking, trail running, and snowshoeing just minutes from Main Street. Beautiful views, abundant aspen trees, a little history, bridges, and Rainbow Lake make for a pleasant easy hike.
Or just hike to Rainbow Lake and enjoy. Perfect for small children. Great beginner hike and snowshoe.
Rated; easy/slightly moderate > READ MORE
NORTH TEN MILE CREEK TRAIL
FRISCO
Looking for a relaxing hike through classic Colorado scenery and a babbling creek alongside you? North Ten Mile Creek Trail is it! Perfect trail for all seasons. Bring your snowshoes in winter, your camera in fall, your fishing pole, and your wildflower book in summer, and relish all Colorado has to offer in one place.
Rated: Easy/slightly moderate > READ MORE
COLORADO, CHAPMAN & HIPPO TRAIL LOOP
BRECKENRIDGE
This hike is a mixture of 3 trails, Colorado Trail, Campion Trail, and Hippo Trail making a loop. A great trail, a great workout, and miles of high peaks views within a pine forest and meadows. Nice get outside trail with some challenging uphills!
Rated: moderate > READ MORE
BAKERS TANK TRAIL
BRECKENRIDGE
Bakers Tank Trail is popular for year-round outdoor enthusiasts just 3.5 miles up Boreas Pass it’s a gem! Loved it in winter, less crowds, and was peaceful. Hike back on Boreas Pass and make a loop hike.
Rated: easy/moderate > READ MORE
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GET OUTSIDE FOR A STROLL in the WOODS
BRECKENRIDGE
Elk Dance Loop via Peaks Trailhead located at the end of Ski Hill Rd is a year-round playground. Popular for hiking, snowshoeing, and x country skiing there is something for everyone.
SILVERTHORNE
Willow Creek Trail is located at Willowbrook Trailhead which has a mega of trail options. From a full day hiking to Willow Lakes at 12,000+’ or an easy day outside by doing a loop hike.
EASY PEASY TRAILS
Sapphire Point Overlook and Trail – The perfect spot for bringing kiddos, the elderly, visitors, and newbie hikers. This short trail show off Colorado in spades, with sweeping views of surrounding mountain towns and snow-capped peaks.
ISAK HEARTSTONE TROLL
Popular Isak Heartstone is located on the Trollstigen Trail in the southeast corner by the Illinois Gulch trailhead. (close to the Ice Rink). Just a short stroll to see this magnificent 15-foot-tall wooden troll sculpture. Not a hike but not to be missed in Summit County! > Find the Troll
HISTORY HIKES
A few exciting hikes we loved and filled with history are > MINNIE MINE TRAIL and > IOWA HILL TRAIL.
SALLY BARBER MINE TRAIL
BRECKENRIDGE
Sallie Barber Trail in Breckenridge, CO, was the perfect springtime getaway for an early afternoon hike with a fantastic destination, the historic Sallie Barber Mine. One of the prettiest trails we’ve hiked in snow.
Rated: easy/moderate > READ MORE
LEAVE NO TRACE
ENCOUNTERING WILDLIFE
APPROPRIATE HIKING GEAR
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