Colorado hiking can look a little intimidating when you’re visiting from out of town. The mountains are big, the trails can climb quickly, and a trail labeled “easy” somewhere else in the country can feel very different at 8,000 or 9,000 feet.
The good news is that you do not need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the scenery around Woodland Park. There are plenty of shorter trails and nature walks where you can get into the forest, see mountain scenery, and enjoy the outdoors without committing to an all-day adventure.
Here are several good options for beginners, families, and visitors who simply want an easy introduction to hiking in the Woodland Park area.
Before You Hit the Trail
There is one important thing to understand about hiking around Woodland Park: altitude matters.
Woodland Park sits at roughly 8,465 feet, so visitors coming from lower elevations may notice that even a relatively easy walk leaves them more winded than expected.
Take your time, bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and don’t feel like you need to hike quickly. Colorado weather can also change quickly, particularly during summer afternoons, so checking the forecast before heading out is worthwhile.
And remember that “easy” does not necessarily mean paved or completely flat. Expect dirt trails, rocks, roots, and some hills on most of these walks.
1. Rainbow Gulch Trail to Rampart Reservoir
Distance: About 2.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Scenery: Pine and aspen forest, creek, reservoir and mountain views
Parking: Parking area along Rampart Range Road
Good for: Beginners, families, wildlife viewing
Link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/rampart-reservoir-via-rainbow-gulch-trail
If you want a relatively easy hike that still feels like a real Colorado adventure, Rainbow Gulch is a great place to start.
The trail travels through wooded forest before reaching Rampart Reservoir. The approximately 2.6-mile round trip has about 284 feet of elevation gain and is considered an easy hike.
Once you reach the reservoir, you can turn around and head back or spend some time enjoying the scenery. The surrounding recreation area also offers opportunities for fishing and picnicking.
Keep in mind that the complete trail around Rampart Reservoir is much longer than the Rainbow Gulch hike. The Forest Service lists the shoreline trail at approximately 11.5 miles, so beginners should not confuse the short Rainbow Gulch outing with a full reservoir loop.
2. Red Rocks Park Loop
Distance: About 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Scenery: Pine forest and rocky terrain
Parking: Parking area near the trail
Good for: Beginners looking for a short loop
Link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/red-rocks-campground-loop
Red Rocks Park offers an easy introduction to the trails around Woodland Park without taking you deep into the backcountry.
The Red Rocks Campground Loop is approximately one mile with just over 100 feet of elevation gain and is generally considered easy. The trail travels through the forest and includes some rocky terrain.
For visitors who want to experience a forest trail without dedicating half a day to hiking, this is a good option, especially as there are many additional short hikes in the area.
3. Wapiti Self-Guided Nature Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Scenery: Forest, meadows and mountain views
Parking: Mueller State Park Visitor Center parking lot
Good for: Families, first-time hikers and anyone wanting a short walk
Link: https://cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/mueller-state-park/mueller-state-park-activities-trails
If two or three miles sounds like more than you want to tackle, Mueller State Park has several much shorter options.
The Wapiti Self-Guided Nature Trail is just 0.8 miles round trip and begins at the east end of the Visitor Center parking lot. It is officially classified as an easy trail.
Mueller is particularly appealing for beginners because you can make the outing as short or long as you want. The park has more than 44 miles of trails, ranging from short walks to challenging full-day hikes.
The Wapiti Trail is a good way to get a taste of the park without committing to a long hike.
Mueller State Park does charge an entrance fee, so check current park information before heading out.
The Teller Times 