What are some of the best hiking / biking trails in Boulder?

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Roger Walker PRO 2yrs+
My new favorite is Eagle Trail just past the Boulder Reservoir from Jay and 51st. They allow mountain biking and theres even some fun single track along the way. Its a moderate loop with a couple of fun hills and offers great views of the Flatirons and the mountains around. It is dog friendly and there is a pond where dogs can swim. You can even ride horses on it although Im not a fan of the horse "piles" along the trail.
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Denice & Stephanie PRO 2yrs+
Royal Arch Trail is one of my favorites. Gorgeous views at the top.
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Elizabeth Ryterski PRO 2yrs+
There are so many to pick! I really like Eldorado Canyon. The rattlesnake gulch trail goes up to the site of the Crags Hotel. The hotel was built in 1908 and visitors could reach it by taking an incline railroad and by an old wagon trail. In 1912, the hotel burnt to the ground, and just a few ruins remain. The parks department has put up interpretive signs to give you an idea of what the site was like in the early 1900′s.
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HeatherS
HeatherS yeah...I was up at that ruined hotel years ago and it is really neat and a great place to hike:)
2yrs+
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Eric Edwards PRO 2yrs+
Another great starting point for hiking trails is at NCAR ( the National Center for Atmospheric Research ) just take Table Mesa Dr. West from Broadway and follow to the top. Park in the NCAR parking lot and walk West towards the main entrance on the North side of the building. You will find the first trail head just West of the building. From here you have access to the Bear Canyon Trail, Mallory Cave, Mesa Trail, Skunk Canyon, and many others. You can also hike all the way over to Chautauqua, and I think you can gain access to Eldorado Canyon as well ( however, I've never tried this ). This offers a variety of distances from 1/2 mile to 7 + miles and some beautiful views, rock outcroppings, large trees and wildlife. There are also a variety of terrains for all different skill and fitness levels. Enjoy.
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Greg Smith PRO 2yrs+
Boulder has several biking trails.

The Boulder Reservoir Loop is a nice after work ride. You can catch the trail along Wonderland lake which will take you past Dakota Ridge. Continue under the free way and turn left. You will then go through a cattle gate and continue along the mesa and out and around the Boulder Reservoir.

If you have a little more time and leg power another nice ride is to pick up the Boulder Canyon trail at Eben G. Fine Park and continue up Boulder canyon at the top you have to transition back on to the road for about a mile until you see the tunnel. Right before the tunnel look to your right and you will see the single track that you can ride up to Betasso Preserve Loop. The climb out of Boulder Canyon is steep for about 300 yards and then becomes a nice switch back ride. From my house in North Boulder it is about a 21 mile ride round trip. The Betasso Preserve is closed to biking at times so be sure to check the Boulder Parks and Rec Website before you go.

I have also heard Dowdy Draw is a nice ride out off of Marshall Mesa, but I have not ridden it.

A couple other rides to check out close to Boulder are Walker Ranch, Halls Ranch (I prefer the Apple Valley Side) Heil Ranch, and Miller Rock.
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Greg Smith PRO 2yrs+
Cyndy and I have also found Anemone Hill Trail a good option if you want a quick hike that is not crowded. Most people tend to go up Sanitas, but if you go South instead of North from the parking lot you work your way up to the Anemone Hill Trail head. It is a pretty hike with nice views down to Boulder Creek. When you get midway up you will see what we call the Candy Cane you can turn right and continue up here or go straight ahead and drop and hike above Boulder Canyon, both are good options.
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mbrods 2yrs+
There is also some great hikes on the other side of the Boulder Creek. Settler's Park is a great short hike, with some very cool rock formations to climb around; it is where the first white settler's spent their first night in Boulder, hence the name. A little further to the north is Mount Sanitas, which is a long loop trail, the back half being steep and rugged, and the front half being wide and mellow. But ultimately, Chautauqua Park at the base of the Flatirons offers the most variety of short and long trails, and you can't beat the view. For biking, Flatirons Vista Trail, a little ways south on Highway 93 is great. For something a little more intense, take the Flagstaff road about five miles up until you get to the Walker Ranch. Just to name a few great places to get into the mountains.
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Justin Leonard PRO 2yrs+
You can't go wrong with Royal Arch trail! Head up to Chatauqua Park, check the trail map for directions, and in an easy hour you will be overlooking Boulder next to a beautiful natural rock arch. Incredible, unique views of the Flatirons. I bring all my visitors up this trail, and they are always impressed, plus it is not particularly taxing so it is a good short hike for varying ages and fitness levels.
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Holland Seydel PRO 2yrs+
I really like the Mesa Trail/Shadow Canyon beginning in Eldorado at South Mesa. Of course Sanitas because it is right in town and very convenient plus you can make it as tough as you want it to be with which direction you take it in, run it, etc...
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Malia Maunakea PRO 2yrs+
We like the Doudy Draw/ South Mesa trailhead area. You can make a bunch of different length loops from there. We usually use them for hiking/running, but recently there has been a lot more biking in the Doudy Draw area (which is a bummer for us hikers with little kids who don't always move out of the way quickly). The South Boulder Creek trail from the Bobolink trailhead is beautiful this time of year with the leaves changing colors. Our kids love to stop and splash in the creek along the trail, and other folks' dogs love doing the same thing.
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Mario Jannatpour PRO 2yrs+
One of my favorite hikes in Boulder is in South Boulder. Hike beside South Boulder creek. Can access in Devil's Thumb neighborhood. You can hike all the way to the top of Bear Peak.
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HeatherS 2yrs+
The best hiking in Boulder is up in the Flatirons. If you take Baseline Road west it goes up past the neighborhood known as The Hill and then climbs up and as it fits the mountain turns into Flagstaff Road. This is the lover's lane of Boulder and a treasure of short and long hiking trails. For a great challenge climb to the top of Bear Peak or for a romantic evening sit on a rock overlooking the city lights with your sweety.
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HeatherS 2yrs+
any favorite winter hiking trails in or around Boulder?
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BroncoFan 2yrs+
Are there any specific kid friendly ones?
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HeatherS
HeatherS Hiking up near Chautauqua Park is a great place for kids, you can park and start walking/exploring on big open trails and it is not too far to get into the mountains if you have kids that can walk for a mile or so. Kids love to walk along the little trails that come in and out of the Boulder Creek bike/hike path, there is even a kids fishing pond there
2yrs+
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