Colorado is filled with countless great hikes in a variety of different environments, quite literally enough to last a lifetime. But if you’re one of the over three million people living in the Denver metro area, it just might not be feasible to hit a 14er, drive to Durango, or hit up one of the state’s four National Parks on a weekly basis.

Luckily, challenging hikes with great scenery are still never too far away. I’ve compiled this list of hiked I’ve completed and documented within one hour of Denver. Whether it’s the focal point of your day or a quick hike to squeeze in after your 9-to-5, there are plenty of options out there. This list is by no means comprehensive, as I continue to explore the state I moved to in 2022. I hope to keep adding to this list over time.

Colorado Hikes Within An Hour of Denver is launching with nine hikes I’ve completed. I also understand that an hour from me might not be the same as an hour from you. While many of these hikes are 30-45 minutes from most Denver addresses, I also took the liberty of separating this list in to hikes that are West, South, and North of Denver. If you live near Thornton, it may be a far drive to get to Larkspur, and if you live in Highlands Ranch, Boulder might be a little deep for you, so if you live on an edge of Denver’s greater footprint, be sure to start with hikes closer to your direction.

Hikes West of Denver

Green Mountain Trail at William Frederick Hayden State Park (Lakewood, CO)

Green Mountain Trailhead: Off W Alameda Parkway (Linked)

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Green Mountain Trail at William Frederick Hayden Park

Waterton Canyon Trail (Littleton, CO)

Waterton Canyon Trailhead: 12437-12489 Waterton Canyon, Littleton, CO 80127

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Waterton Canyon Trail & Bighorn Sheep Encounter

South Valley Park and Coyote Song Trail (Littleton, CO)

South Valley Park – South Trailhead: 12447 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80127

My Article: Colorado Hikes: South Valley Park and Coyote Song Trail

Plymouth Mountain Trail (Littleton, CO)

Deer Creek Canyon Park: 13388 Grizzly Dr, Littleton, CO 80127

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Plymouth Mountain Trail at Deer Creek Canyon Park

Mount Falcon via Castle Trail (Morrison, CO)

Mount Falcon – Morrison Trailhead: 3852 Vine St, Morrison, CO 80465

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Mount Falcon Castle Trail Winter Hike

Mount Galbraith Park

Mount Galbraith Park – Cedar Gulch Trailhead: 21992 Golden Gate Canyon Rd, Golden, CO 80403

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Mount Galbraith Park

Hikes South of Denver

Castle Rock at Rock Park (Castle Rock, CO)

Rock Park: 1470 Front St, Castle Rock, CO 80104

My Article: Rock Park, Castle Rock: Photo Gallery

Spruce Mountain (Larkspur, CO)

Spruce Mountain Open Space: 13415 S Spruce Mountain Rd, Larkspur, CO 80118

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Spruce Mountain in Larkspur, CO

Hikes North of Denver

Chautauqua Park Trail and Boulder Flatirons (Boulder, CO)

Chautauqua Park: 900 Baseline Rd &, 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302

My Article: Chautauqua Park Trail and Boulder Flatirons: Photo Gallery

Anemone Loop Trail (Boulder, CO)

Centennial Trailhead: 301 Sunshine Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302

My Article: Colorado Hikes: Anemone Loop Trail in Boulder

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