I’d jump out on a limb and say a big reason A LOT of people move to Denver is to be closer to the mountains. But just because you are working a 9 to 5 office job downtown in the city though doesn’t mean the only time you can get out and enjoy nature is on the weekends.
Lucky for us in Denver, we don’t have to only be weekend warriors. While you may not be crushing a 14’er after work, that doesn’t mean you can’t climb some mountains! Curious where you can get in a quick hike after work? Peep my four suggestions which are only a thirty minute (or less!) drive from the city.
green mountain
distance: 3.2 miles (out and back) | elevation: 790’ (6,067’ starting) | difficulty: moderate
Located in William Frederick Hayden Park, this is the Green Mountain in Lakewood, not Boulder. As I work just ten minutes away, this was the perfect, quick after work hike! And to be honest, this hike really surprised me how much I enjoyed it – it got my heart pumping and had gorgeous views at the top (the reason why everyone hikes right?!). While this park is pretty close to I-70, the noise from traffic was actually pretty drowned out by songbirds on the trail (at least in the spring). From the Rooney Road trailhead, the direct trail up to the summit is the wide path (using the overpass to cross to the park) – so just stay on the main trail as you come to intersections.
From the top, looking to the east you’ll take in views of Denver and the plains, and to the west, some pretty impressive views of snowcapped mountains. William Frederic Hayden Park has a wide network of trails (which fyi, double as mountain bike trails!), so you can easily add on some mileage and explore.
north table
distance: 3.2 miles (loop) | elevation: 466’ (6,014 starting) | difficulty: easy
Located in Golden, the North Table Loop provides another great after work hike. Even though it is right on edge of town, it still manages to feel pretty remote! From the trailhead, the trail begins wide and steep to the top of the mesa (take the North Table Loop trail south). Once you’re at the top of the mesa, the hard work is all done and you can just take in the views. For the 3.2 mile loop, turn left on Tilting Mesa at the first intersection for about one mile, followed by Mesa Top till it meets with the North Table Loop again.
Just like Green Mountain, there is a large network of trails to add on and explore! And heads up, this is a known rattlesnake habitat! If you are there in the warmer months, be on the lookout and be sure to read up on prevention before ya go!
lookout mountain
distance: 4.4 miles (out and back) | elevation: 705’ (6,842’ starting) | difficulty: easy
This was the first hike I did when I moved out here, so it has some sentimental value to me. ANYWAYS, if you’ve ever driven west on I-70 towards the mountains, you’ve definitely seen Lookout Mountain to your right (the mountain with the antennas on top). The trail for Lookout Mountain starts at Windy Saddle Park which is just outside the town of Golden. Even just stepping outside your car at the parking lot, you’ll have some bomb views of the mountains. But if ya wanna continue on your hike, take the Lookout Mountain Trail, which is the trail you’ll stay on for the entire hike as it is an out and back. On your way down (or on your way up), you can take the side trail, Buffalo Bill Trail, to the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave and meander around.
If you feel like adding on some miles, Windy Saddle Park offers more trails like Chimney Gulch or Beaver Brook.
dakota ridge
distance: 4.4 miles (out and back) | elevation: 921’ (6,155’ starting) | difficulty: moderate
The Dakota Ridge trail is located in Morrison in Matthews-Winter Park. The ridge has you nestled between Green Mountain and Red Rocks Amphitheater. There are two possible starting points for the trail, the northern end at the Dakota Ridge Lot or the southern end which is just inside the entrance to Red Rocks. Starting from the north point, the trail steeply climbs its way up, giving you gorgeous views of the sandstone jutting out around Red Rocks, as well as views of Green Mountain. Once you reach the ridgeline, the trail turns almost entirely to rock with some tree roots sticking out, so be sure to watch your step. While this trail never has any long strenuous uphills, there are a few decent inclines. As you hike along, be sure to not only keep an eye out for dinosaur fossils, but also mountain bikers!
If you missed the fossils along the trail, at the end of the trail on the road, there are marked spots of fossils in the rock.
There are lots of options for after work hikes near Denver – check back soon for part two!
