Best partially-paved trails in Boulder

The Chautauqua Trail takes you through the meadow just below the famous Flatiron formations. This route can be hiked as a standalone route as an out-and-back. It is also often used as a jumping-off point to many other popular hikes in the park, such as the Flatirons and Royal Arch. It is wide, well traveled, and slightly inclined, with valley vistas, wild flowers, and great views of the jagged Flat Irons.

Don’t miss out on hiking the Flatirons if you’re near Boulder, Colorado. This trail takes you across a large meadow before leading up to a short loop where you'll enjoy views of the irons, mountains, meadows, and boulder fields. Although it’s a relatively short hike, be prepared for steep, slippery sections and rocky parts, including some scrambling. Wearing hiking boots and using trekking poles is recommended. In icy and snowy conditions, hiking spikes are highly recommended. The trail is...

This is an iconic trail in Boulder. Mount Sanitas offers stunning views overlooking the city and features amazing rock formations. The trail's scenery varies, with ridges, meadows, and rough boulders. It has steep inclines and rocky scramble-like conditions. The parking at the Centennial Trailhead is limited, so it's recommended to come earlier.

This is a nice trail with lots of scenery, birds, and deer. The path is a mix of paved and softer gravel or dirt surfaces. Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. Accessible Parking: Number of designated accessible spaces: 2 at the trailhead; Number of van-accessible spaces with access aisles: 2; Parking lot surface: paved. Trail Details: Trail surface: paved...

This route starts at the extremely popular Chautauqua Trailhead and follows the Chautauqua Trail until running into the Bluebell Spur Trail. The route then loops around the Bluebell-Baird area and offers a few views back towards town before beginning the downhill trip back to the trailhead on the Chautauqua Trail.

The Boulder Creek Multi-Use Path is a great bike, pedestrian, and trail running path through the city of Boulder along the creek. The whole route has excellent scenery of the surrounding nature and mountains. The path is half paved and half gravel mountain trail. There are many access points along the route and ample parking. There are several road crossings necessary to fully navigate the trail, so please use caution. Accessibility: Equipment Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility...

A family-friendly trail that follows a creek and passes by the East Boulder off-leash dog park. Both cement and dirt trail options and good for biking or walking. Accessibility: There are 2 designated accessible spaces in the unpaved parking lot off of Baseline Road at the north end of the trail. Neither of them are van-accessible with a striped access aisle. The trail surface is concrete or a natural (dirt) surface. It is typically at least 4 feet wide with some wider passing spaces. The...

This is a fantastic trail in Boulder, Colorado. It follows wide gravels paths through open grass fields. The route begins from the Four Mile Creek Trailhead and heads south to Wonderland Lake. The lake offers some fantastic views reflecting the surrounding mountains on its surface. The trail travels around the lake, sticking closely to the short on the western side before returning to the trailhead via same path.

There are portions of this trail in which dogs are not allowed, so make sure to stay aware of signs while on the trail! Boulder Reservoir is a multi-use recreational area, and it's very popular with hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. This trail is an especially great place for a walk or a run around the reservoir. Part of this route is on a road shared by cars, so be careful with kids and keep dogs on a leash.

There is a parking fee for non-residents of Boulder. Dogs are only allowed on part of this trail. They not allowed south of the gate on South Boulder Road. Follow the beautiful South Boulder Creek past grazing cattle and spot wildlife of all kinds on this marvelous trail. It's not easy being a trail on the edge of America's most fit community. You get a lot of use. But it's not just humans that make this trail popular. Critters of all sorts populate South Boulder Creek and its companion...