Hiking is great exercise and a wonderful and healthful way to see a lot of beautiful scenery. To me, there is a lot of difference between walking and hiking. Denver is very attuned to physical fitness and there are a lot of walking paths in the open areas, along the many creeks and in the many big parks in town.
Hiking is usually out of town and usually not on paved paths, There are many marked and developed trails around Denver that offer hiking opportunities for everybody from the novice to the experienced hikers To truly enjoy hiking, you must have the proper gear. The most important is a good pair of comfortable hiking boots, comfortable clothing and something to carry plenty of liquids with you and maybe a snack bar or something.to eat in case it takes longer than expected.
There are many wonderful hikes in and around the Denver area. Here are a few of them. I am not giving detailed directions on how to get their because it would take to much room but you can find them by going to Local hikes and they have all the detailed directions.. The ones I will cover here run from easy family type hikes to very strenuous hikes for experienced hikers.
1. Davidson Mesa Loop
This is an easy hike in the foothills plains which is a 2.7 mile loop It only has a 67 foot elevation gain. It is a well maintained rail and has some beautiful views of the mountains of the front range.
2. Deckers Cliff
This is a real short one and is an easy one west of Sedalia up in the foothills. The trail is not very well maintained. You hike next to the river downstream about a tenth of a mile. You will see a large outcropping of rock that the river is running right up against Head toward the top of these small cliffs. This is a really nice spot to relax and enjoy the river or if you are so inclined to wet a line and try to catch some of the big trout in the river up toward Deckers. Be careful of the edges.
3. Red Rocks of Woodland Park
This is another fairly easy 3/4 mile hike among some beautiful red sandstone formations in a nice forested area near Woodland Park. There is only a 134 foot elevation gain. The path is not very well maintained . Nice hike with some very unique rock formations for you to enjoy.
4. The Crags
This is still rated an easy hike but it is longer at 3.5 miles and has a 630 foot elevation gain. The trail is OK for the most part but does have a couple difficult spots. There are a lot of nice rock formations. The last part of the trail gains a lot of elevation but the views from the top are wonderful and worth the added effort.
5 Lake Park in the Lost Creek Wilderness
Now we are getting into the longer and more difficult hikes. This one is 14 miles and is rated as moderately hard. There is a 3000 foot elevation gain over seven miles. This path is well maintained You can descend a short ways down to the stream below. The views on this hike are awesome and there are few places where you could camp if you are so inclined.
6. Red Rocks Morrison Slide Dakota Ridge Loop
This is another moderate hike with an elevation gain of 460 feet and a distance of 3.5 miles It features a real nice view of Red Rocks and of Metro Denver and a real nice view along the hogbacks. It is a loop hike and the trail is good in most places There are signs about some or the geological features and a place to see some dinosaur tracks
7.Triple Crown of Fourteeners
This is a moderate hike of 7.8 miles. You can hike three fourteeners on the same day. You have a 3630 foot elevation gain over a OK path with a few difficult spots. Old mining buildings and a mountain lake are the highlights of this hike.
8. Blackhawk Peak
This a a more strenuous hike on which you will see the ghost of an old mining town, abandoned mines and a chance to gamble in Black Hawk There is some gorgeous scenery along a stream . There is a 1344 foot elevation gain on this neat hike.
Green Mountain Loop
This is another strenuous hike of 6.2 miles with a 2676 foot elevation gain It is a very popular hike with some wonderful views of the Indian Peaks and the City of Boulder The path on this one is like most of the rest of them. OK with some difficult spots.
10. Maroon Peak
Now for the real challenge but some of the most beautiful country in the state. For this one you have to head up to Aspen. It is a difficult ascent up one of the most photographed mountains in the world. It is 11.25 miles but has a 5,000 foot elevation gain. Rushing creeks, tranquil mountain lakes, a lot of wildlife, you get it all on this one.
There are literally hundreds of hiking adventures around the Denver area. I hope this brief overview will give you and idea of what is available for the hikers who come to visit the Mile High City.