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Hiking In & Around Breckenridge
Take a Walk!
Hiking is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling activities there is to do. A true family activity, hiking offers the visitor to Breckenridge opportunities for excersize, sweeping mountain vistas, family togetherness, a sense of accomplishment and so much more. Breckenridge is located in a hiker’s paradise. From short hikes that start in town to day hikes in the valleys and mountains as high as 14,000 feet surrounding Breckenridge to backpacking adventures and hut trips, Breckenridge is the ideal location for hikers of any level of or age.
Short Hikes Close to the Breckenridge Town CoreEach year the Town on Breckenridge publishes a guide to the wonderful hiking trails that start in and around the town core. These trails range from gentle paths to more challenging single track trails. All of these hikes have trailheads that are very close to Ski Country Resorts and Sports main office and sports shop located at 213 North Main Street.
Note: The following directions begin from Ski Country Resorts and Sports located at 213 North Main Street.
Watson Trailhead
The Watson Trailhead is located on the southwest end (by First Bank) of the large skier parking lot (free in the summer) right behind Ski Country Resorts.
Riverwalk Trailhead
From the Ski Country building turn left on Watson and go to Park Avenue and then turn left. Stay on Park Avenue through the stop light at First Bank and turn left into the Riverwalk Center parking lot at the intersection with Four O'clock Road. The trailhead is located in the northeast corner of the parking lot accessing the Riverwalk Center
Snowflake Trailhead
From the Ski Country Building Turn left on Watson and go to Park Avenue and then turn left. Stay on Park Avenue through the stop light at First Bank and turn right at the intersection onto Four O'clock Road. Continue uphill on Four O'clock Road for .3 miles. At the intersection of Four O'clock Road and King's Crown Road, turn left and the trailhead is located immediately on the right next to the Snowflake Lift parking areas.
Illinois Creek Trailhead
From the Ski Country Building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street for .8 miles to Boreas Pass Road (last stoplight). Turn left on Boreas Pass Road and travel for 1,400 feet. Take a right into the second entrance of the parking lot next to the Stephen C. West Ice Arena (which can be seen on the right). The trailhead is located in the southeastern corner of the parking lot.
Carter Park Trailhead
From the Ski Country Building follow the alley directly behind the building south until it intersects with Ski Hill Road. Turn left and cross Main Street through the stoplight where the street turns into Lincoln Avenue. Travel up Lincoln Avenue for 1,000 feet until it intersects with High Street and continue until the road dead ends at Carter Park. The trail is located at the eastern end of the Carter Park parking lot.
Iowa Hill Trailhead
From the Ski Country Building turn left on Watson Avenue and then turn right onto Park Avenue at the stop sign. Follow Park Avenue until you reach the first stoplight. Turn left onto Airport Road and follow the road a short way past the intersection with Valley Brook Road (stop sign). After 1500 feet, look for the trailhead sign on your left. From the sign, follow the dirt road to the north (right) to a small parking area at the end.
Valley Brook Trailhead
From the Ski Country Building Turn left on Watson Avenue and then turn right onto Park Avenue at the stop sign. Follow Park Avenue until you reach the first stoplight. Turn left onto Airport Road and follow the road a short way to the intersection with Valley Brook Road (stop sign). Turn right and stay on Valley Brook Road for 550 feet. You will find the trailhead on your left just past the Breckenridge Police Station.
Longer Hikes Around BreckenridgeBreckenridge is surrounded by acres and acres of National Forest land and open space in all directions. besides the easy, in town trail access there are plenty of opportunities to hike longer trails to some of the amazing scenic beauty all around Breckenridge. Hidden valleys, open mountain meadows, cascading waterfalls and towering mountain peaks are just some of the natural wonders you will encounter on the hiking trails around Breckenridge. See below for a sampling of some of the hikes you can take while you are visiting.
Black Powder Pass
Distance: 3.4 miles total there and back
Rating: Easy
Starting Elevation: 11,504 feet
Season: Late June - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street for .8 miles to Boreas Pass Road (last stoplight). Turn left on Boreas Pass Road and follow up for 9.6 miles to the old railroad section house that is located at the summit. The trail begins to the northeast of the building (left) and follows a stream drainage ditch to the saddle between Boreas Mt. and Mt. Baldy. The trail is a mellow and steady uphill climb of about 1.7 miles to the Black Powder Pass which is a saddle between Boreas Mountain and Mt Baldy. that overlooks South Park and French Pass. Beautiful above tree line sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys await you. Return back the way you came to your car.
Distance: 3.4 miles total there and back
Rating: Easy
Starting Elevation: 11,504 feet
Season: Late June - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street for .8 miles to Boreas Pass Road (last stoplight). Turn left on Boreas Pass Road and follow up for 9.6 miles to the old railroad section house that is located at the summit. The trail begins to the northeast of the building (left) and follows a stream drainage ditch to the saddle between Boreas Mt. and Mt. Baldy. The trail is a mellow and steady uphill climb of about 1.7 miles to the Black Powder Pass which is a saddle between Boreas Mountain and Mt Baldy. that overlooks South Park and French Pass. Beautiful above tree line sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys await you. Return back the way you came to your car.
Sallie Barber Mine
Distance: 3 miles total there and back
Rating: Easy - Moderate
Starting Elevation: 10,450 feet
Season: June - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street for .8 miles to Boreas Pass Road (last stoplight). Turn left on Boreas Pass Road and and follow 2.1 miles to Baldy Road. Turn left on Baldy Road and follow for about 1 mile. Turn left on Sallie Barber Road and continue .1 mile to the trailhead. Just minutes from Downtown. The hike begins at about 10,450' and wanders through a forest to the ruins of the Sally Barber Mine about 1.5 miles ahead. There are interpretive signs at the ruins that have been placed by the Summit County Historical Society. This mine dates from the 1880's and produced zinc until near the end of the first decade of the twentieth century. The views of French Gulch, one of Summit County's richest mining districts, are spectacular from the mine site. Continue on to the French Gulch Trailhead approximately 2.8 miles from the parking area. Return back to the trailhead following the route you came in on.
Distance: 3 miles total there and back
Rating: Easy - Moderate
Starting Elevation: 10,450 feet
Season: June - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street for .8 miles to Boreas Pass Road (last stoplight). Turn left on Boreas Pass Road and and follow 2.1 miles to Baldy Road. Turn left on Baldy Road and follow for about 1 mile. Turn left on Sallie Barber Road and continue .1 mile to the trailhead. Just minutes from Downtown. The hike begins at about 10,450' and wanders through a forest to the ruins of the Sally Barber Mine about 1.5 miles ahead. There are interpretive signs at the ruins that have been placed by the Summit County Historical Society. This mine dates from the 1880's and produced zinc until near the end of the first decade of the twentieth century. The views of French Gulch, one of Summit County's richest mining districts, are spectacular from the mine site. Continue on to the French Gulch Trailhead approximately 2.8 miles from the parking area. Return back to the trailhead following the route you came in on.
McCullough Gulch
Distance: 3 miles there and back
Rating: Moderate
Starting Elevation: 11,080 feet
Season: July - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street leaving town and proceed 7.6 miles to Blue Lakes Drive. Turn right onto Blue Lakes Drive and continue for about 100 yards to McCullough Gulch Road. Turn right and follow for 2.2 miles, staying left at the y-junction and continue about 2.2 miles to the parking area at the trailhead. Skirt the gate at the end of the parking area, cross a bridge and follow an old mining road that is dotted with ruins. After about a 15 minute walk follow the fork on your left through the pine forest. The road turns into private property so be sure to take this footpath at the left fork and leave the main road. Continue on the path for nearly a mile, several stream crossings bring you close to the falls cascading down from the ledge up ahead. Many trails lead to various levels of the falls but they return to the main trail that can be followed up the fairly steep ledge to the alpine lake at the top. Return back to the trailhead following the route you came in on.
Distance: 3 miles there and back
Rating: Moderate
Starting Elevation: 11,080 feet
Season: July - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street leaving town and proceed 7.6 miles to Blue Lakes Drive. Turn right onto Blue Lakes Drive and continue for about 100 yards to McCullough Gulch Road. Turn right and follow for 2.2 miles, staying left at the y-junction and continue about 2.2 miles to the parking area at the trailhead. Skirt the gate at the end of the parking area, cross a bridge and follow an old mining road that is dotted with ruins. After about a 15 minute walk follow the fork on your left through the pine forest. The road turns into private property so be sure to take this footpath at the left fork and leave the main road. Continue on the path for nearly a mile, several stream crossings bring you close to the falls cascading down from the ledge up ahead. Many trails lead to various levels of the falls but they return to the main trail that can be followed up the fairly steep ledge to the alpine lake at the top. Return back to the trailhead following the route you came in on.
Mowhawk Lakes
Distance: 4.5 miles there and back
Rating: Moderate
Starting Elevation: 10,900 feet
Season: July - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street leaving town and proceed 2.4 miles to Spruce Creek Drive. Turn Right and drive 2.3 miles to the parking area at the trailhead. Hike 0.4 mile on the Wheeler Trail then turn right on the Spruce Creek Trail toward Mohawk Lakes. The trail passes a series of marshy bogs then gently climbs the trail. At mile 0.9, cross a gravel road. This is the upper trailhead for Mohawk Lakes. Stay left at the 3-way junction to Mayflower Lakes. The trail passes old log cabins, crosses a creeklet, then swiftly climbs to a cabin restored in the late-1980s. Next, the trail switchbacks to several viewpoints of Continental Falls. The trail ascends to Lower Mohawk Lake. Next, climb south around the headwall to Upper Mohawk Lake. Continue on to a highpoint above the lake for views of the Continental Divide and Pacific Peak (13,950 feet). Return to trailhead.
Distance: 4.5 miles there and back
Rating: Moderate
Starting Elevation: 10,900 feet
Season: July - October
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street leaving town and proceed 2.4 miles to Spruce Creek Drive. Turn Right and drive 2.3 miles to the parking area at the trailhead. Hike 0.4 mile on the Wheeler Trail then turn right on the Spruce Creek Trail toward Mohawk Lakes. The trail passes a series of marshy bogs then gently climbs the trail. At mile 0.9, cross a gravel road. This is the upper trailhead for Mohawk Lakes. Stay left at the 3-way junction to Mayflower Lakes. The trail passes old log cabins, crosses a creeklet, then swiftly climbs to a cabin restored in the late-1980s. Next, the trail switchbacks to several viewpoints of Continental Falls. The trail ascends to Lower Mohawk Lake. Next, climb south around the headwall to Upper Mohawk Lake. Continue on to a highpoint above the lake for views of the Continental Divide and Pacific Peak (13,950 feet). Return to trailhead.
Quandry Peak
Distance: 6 miles there and back
Rating: Advanced
Starting Elevation: 10,920 feet
Season: July - August
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street leaving town and proceed 7.5 miles winding up Hoosier Pass to Blue Lakes Road. Turn right on Blue Lakes Road and make an immediate right onto Rt 851. Proceed approximately 1.1 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead is on the left. Park on the road. This trail is no joke. It offers hikers a grinding 3,100 foot elevation gain over 3 miles and ends at an elevation of 14,256 feet. You will feel altitude effects at this height! It is strongly recommended that you have a good guide such as “The New Summit Hiker” by Mary Ellen Gilliland (available at City Market in Breckenridge). It is a long all day hike (minimum 8 hours) so leave very early to avoid afternoon lightning and being stuck on the trail after dark. If you just got off the plane – DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS HIKE. If you do go for it you will be rewarded with simply some of the greatest views you will see in Summit County and possibly in your life. Well worth the work!
Distance: 6 miles there and back
Rating: Advanced
Starting Elevation: 10,920 feet
Season: July - August
From the Ski Country building turn right onto Watson and then turn right onto Main Street. Go south on Main Street leaving town and proceed 7.5 miles winding up Hoosier Pass to Blue Lakes Road. Turn right on Blue Lakes Road and make an immediate right onto Rt 851. Proceed approximately 1.1 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead is on the left. Park on the road. This trail is no joke. It offers hikers a grinding 3,100 foot elevation gain over 3 miles and ends at an elevation of 14,256 feet. You will feel altitude effects at this height! It is strongly recommended that you have a good guide such as “The New Summit Hiker” by Mary Ellen Gilliland (available at City Market in Breckenridge). It is a long all day hike (minimum 8 hours) so leave very early to avoid afternoon lightning and being stuck on the trail after dark. If you just got off the plane – DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS HIKE. If you do go for it you will be rewarded with simply some of the greatest views you will see in Summit County and possibly in your life. Well worth the work!
Good Advice for Your Breckenridge Hiking AdventureBring lots of water
Breckenridge is at a high altitude with very dry air. Sweat evaporates from the body quickly so continual replenishment of fluid is essential.
Breckenridge is at a high altitude with very dry air. Sweat evaporates from the body quickly so continual replenishment of fluid is essential.
Prepare for any weather
In the mountains the weather can change very quickly so always be prepared for different conditions on the trail.
In the mountains the weather can change very quickly so always be prepared for different conditions on the trail.
Wear sunscreen
Even though the air can be crisp and cool the sun in high elevations is more intense than at lower elevations. Make sure to bring sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and apply often.
Even though the air can be crisp and cool the sun in high elevations is more intense than at lower elevations. Make sure to bring sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and apply often.
Be courteous
Many trails in Breckenridge are multi-use trails and shared by hikers, bikers and even horseback riders. Bikers must yield to hikers and horseback riders. Announce yourself when approaching. A little friendliness can go a long way!
Many trails in Breckenridge are multi-use trails and shared by hikers, bikers and even horseback riders. Bikers must yield to hikers and horseback riders. Announce yourself when approaching. A little friendliness can go a long way!
Stay on the trail
Going off the trail even a little bit can damage or destroy sensitive areas. Please respect the beauty Breckenridge offers so others can enjoy.
Going off the trail even a little bit can damage or destroy sensitive areas. Please respect the beauty Breckenridge offers so others can enjoy.
Plan ahead
Always leave hiking information with a friend before going out. Arrange to call that person by a certain time after the hike. That way if there is a problem help can be summoned.
Always leave hiking information with a friend before going out. Arrange to call that person by a certain time after the hike. That way if there is a problem help can be summoned.
Pick up after your dog
It's the law in Summit County and the right thing to do.
It's the law in Summit County and the right thing to do.
Good hiking shoes and socks are important
A good pair of hiking shoes and socks can be the difference between a marvelous hiking experience and a difficult hike.
A good pair of hiking shoes and socks can be the difference between a marvelous hiking experience and a difficult hike.