Best wildflower trails in Boulder

4.6(167,521 reviews)

Explore the most popular wildflowers trails near Boulder with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.

Top trails

#1 - Royal Arch Trail

4.8(18234)

•Hard

•3.3 mi

Located just off Baseline Road, this fantastic hike features great views and gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the incredible rock formations that have come to characterize the city of Boulder. This trail starts near the ranger cottage at the Chautauqua Park Trailhead. Start hiking along the Bluebell Trail and head south. You could also follow the Chautauqua Trail and eventually meet up with this route at the Bluebell Shelter by way of the Bluebell-Baird...

#2 - First and Second Flatirons Loop

4.8(5048)

•Hard

•2.7 mi

The First and Second Flatirons Loop is a short but steep hike that takes you to two of the most popular Flatirons in Boulder Open Space. This route can be accessed by both Chautauqua Trailhead as well as Enchanted Mesa Trailhead which is just to the east. There are restrooms and a tourist information center at the trailhead. This loop is popularly known as the First and Second Flatirons Loop. It travels along the Chautauqua Trail, First and Second Flatirons Trail, and the Bluebell Road...

#3 - Green Mountain West Ridge Trail

The Green Mountain West Trail is one of the most popular trails in Boulder Open Space. The trailhead is located on Flagstaff Road. There are beautiful wildflowers and lush evergreen forest along the route. From the summit of Green Mountain, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of Bear Peak, South Boulder Peak, and the famous fourteeners to the west. If you’d like to continue your hike, you can take the Green Bear Trail towards Bear Canyon. Otherwise, you'll continue straight back to the parking...

#4 - Walker Ranch Loop

Walker Ranch Loop is a fantastic hiking and mountain biking trail through Walker Ranch Park and a portion of El Dorado Canyon State Park. The loop can be done in either direction. Going clockwise from the Walker Ranch Parking Access, the trail starts downhill then offers a nice climb that opens up at the top at the Crescent Meadows Trailhead parking area. From here it’s a two mile descent followed by a short portion down very steep steps, followed by another moderate climb back to the...

#5 - Chautauqua Trail

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.

#6 - Gregory Canyon, Range View, and Flagstaff Loop

4.6(4165)

•Moderate

•3.8 mi

This is a great moderately challenging loop with excellent views throughout. The trail is steep but generally well-shaded through the Flatirons. Most of it consists of single-track trail, except for a brief stretch along an old roadbed near the top of Gregory Canyon Trail. There are rocky steps on both the Flagstaff and Gregory Canyon portions of the trail.

#7 - Chautauqua, Bluebell and Baird Trail

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...

#8 - Mount Sanitas Peak Trail

Mount Sanitas is a must-do hike if you’re in Boulder. You can basically walk to the Centennial Trailhead on Sunshine Canyon Drive from downtown Boulder. The peak offers beautiful views, with enough challenge to get you sweating. The trailhead has a small parking area that gets full quickly in the morning, so it’s best to arrive early. If it’s full, there is more parking down the road. From the trailhead, continue north on Mount Sanitas Trail. This trail has a steady incline along a rocky,...

The cave is permanently closed to reduce human contamination that can cause white-nose syndrome in bats. You can still admire the cave by the gated entrance. This route starts at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Trailhead. Follow Table Mesa Drive west through a neighborhood and past Bear Creek Elementary School. This road turns into the road to NCAR at a large dirt parking lot next to a lab. Head west to the Mesa trail and cross it by the information sign. You'll take the...

#10 - Flatirons Vista Trail

The Flatirons Vista trail lives up to its name: it features some of the best views of the Flatirons outside of Boulder, Colorado. Keep your eye out for birds of prey hunting along the grasslands and woodlands below the mountains. Some of the best views of the mountains are at sunset. Hike to the overlook for the best photo opportunity locations. The trail can be rocky in sections.

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Trail reviews for Boulder

Ofe Gon

Jul 7, 2024•Hiking

Great conditionsGreat views

This trail is rocky with many steps, but well-marked and rewarding. Expect crowds - head out early to enjoy the view in peace. We reached the summit by 8:30am and had a serene experience. Bonus: wildflowers are still out!

Royal Arch Trail

Corrie Patterson

May 14, 2025•Hiking

Bathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful golden hour hike. There is a rocks ramble that the pups did ok on up but took a detour going down. (Check my route.) wildflowers are putting on a show. Trail was busy. Conditions: Dusty, Pollen, No bugs, Wildflowers, Dry ground, Well maintained

First and Second Flatirons Loop

Dinah Tomas

May 24, 2025•Hiking

Great conditions

Foggy but nice hiking weather. Wildflowers galore! Lush. Trail conditions excellent.

Green Mountain West Ridge Trail

Hal Short

May 30, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Steep narrow road out of Boulder. Under 60 years old and in hiking shape this is moderate. Over 60 or not really a hiker this is difficult. Much more scenery than I expected. With lunch my time was just under 5 hours and I am 77. Unlike so many mountain hikes that you climb going in and descend coming out this one is all up & down. Plenty of wildflowers and not very many mountain bikes. Several well placed benches. Lunch by river was a treat. I went counterclockwise and started around 0830.

Walker Ranch Loop

Melanie Miller

Jun 20, 2024

Dog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful hike with great views! The wildflowers in the Meadows are just beautiful! But newcomers be prepared for that incline to the top! Is probably easy/moderate for most, but for someone living in the south & being unacclimated to altitude on my 1st hike, it was a challenge to get to the top when I very first arrived in CO! starting on the backside trail so you come down this way back to parking lot is worth a try! But love the views & well maintained trail !

Chautauqua Trail

Michelle Farrell

May 23, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Came for the wildflowers, stayed for the view at Inspiration point! Great hike all around!

Difficulty: Moderate