My Boulder Stair Master Series
By now you all know of my fondness for workday hikes. There’s something about being on the trail before the crowds, starting the day with intentionality, and celebrating this beautiful home of ours that makes starting your day in the dark worthwhile. Here are some of my favorite butt busters. They can all be completed in between 1-2 hours and are provide both a great workout and stunning views.
Trailhead: Chautauqua
Distance: 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,377’
Route Type: Out & Back
Starting from Chautauqua, this hike is one of my all time favorites within Boulder. When it comes to effort vs. payoff, this one really can’t be beat , but be prepared to climb. At 3 miles with almost 1,400’ of gain, this quickie offers both a great workout and a stellar view. Don’t be fooled by the false summit abut 1 mile in… the best view is yet to come. Be careful, though. The path is steep and much of the path is shaded, so the rocky steps can be a bit slippery. Any time of year, though, this one is a stunner!
Trailhead: Chautauqua
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,440’
Route Type: Loop
Currently closed from 8 am - 4:30 pm M-Th, this hike nets you 1,440’ in just 2.5 miles. While not very technically difficult, the elevation over a short distance makes it a real booty burner. There are a few fields of rocks to scramble over, but the path is clearly marked and the view of Boulder from the top is worth the challenge. This trail is popular with runners, hikers, and rock climbers so be sure to get there early!
Discovered this trail 8 years ago, and it is still a favorite!
Trailhead: Chautauqua
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,522’
Route Type: Out & Back
Baseline to Amphitheater & Saddle Rock Trails is a 2.7 mile stair climb. I foolishly took a first date on this hike, and luckily the guy wasn’t much of a talker. This lush, shady hike is a great one for checking out wildflowers in the spring, and the view from saddle rock just invites you to keep exploring the woods below.
Sunrise from Flagstaff
Trailhead: Gregory Canyon or Chautauqua
Distance: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,197’
Route Type: Loop
A bit longer and less steep than the others mentioned in this list, Gregory Canyon is usually also less crowded. Part of the reason might be the size of the parking lot at the trailhead… it’s relatively small and visitors arriving later may find themselves needing to park at Chautauqua and hoof it the 0.4 miles in. With less elevation gain spread out over a longer distance, this hike is a bit less intense than it’s friends on this list, and because Flagstaff has a visitor center on top, it includes restrooms and the option to walk the road or hitch a ride down. Points of interest include Panorama Point, and, during the holidays, the Flagstaff Star.
Hiking to the star on Christmas Eve.
Trailhead: Centennial Trailhead
Distance: 3.5 miles (according to my Strava)
Elevation Gain: 1,522’
Route Type: Loop
This hike is a Boulder classic. To complete it in the traditional fashion, hoof your way up the stair steps on Mt. Sanitas Trail, curse the false summits as you pass, take in the vista at the summit, and then scramble down the East Ridge before enjoying the final stroll through the Valley. A popular pre-work hike, this spot gotten more than it’s share of love. If you hike here, be respectful of the other hikers and runners on the trail, and stick to the designated path in order to prevent the erosion that results from off-trail activity.