5 trails out our back door
Summer hiking is here in all its sunny, cerulean, blooming glory. Make Gravity Haus Breckenridge home base and hit these beautiful easy-access trails. Tip: Join the Haus Quiver for pro access to hiking poles, trail running shoes, pet gear, local trail maps and more.
Sawmill Reservoir | Rated: Easy
Length: 1.3 miles
Follow this lush forested trail alongside a lulling creek that fattens with spring snowmelt and leads hikers on a relaxed 1.5-mile loop. You’ll find a well-marked path, beautiful bridges and a hidden lake that feels like you’re miles from town. The gentle, shaded nature walk is great for all ages, toddlers to grandparents, and provides plenty of scenic stopping spots for a picnic.
Get there: From town, walk up Four O’Clock Road to the Snowflake chair lift and follow signs to the trail.
Illinois Gulch/South Illinois Creek | Rated: Easy
Length: 1.9 miles
This network of trails has blown up in popularity the past few summers due to its newest resident, the 15-foot-tall wooden troll sculpture Isak Heartstone. The famous towering troll is a sight to see and a new adjacent trailhead was actually constructed in his honor. From the Illinois Gulch Trailhead, keep right and follow signs to stay on the Illinois Gulch/Southside Trail. Loop back around to the Trollstigen Trailhead for a sweet 2.5-mile wooded walk and be sure to snap the obligatory selfies with Isak.
Get there: Head south on Main Street, turn left on Boreas Pass Road and turn into the parking lot at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. Find the trailhead in the southeast corner.
Carter Park to Moonstone | Rated: Moderate
Length: 4.2 miles
Get your blood pumping up the stone steps that shoot into the forest behind this buzzing town park. The out-and-back trail connects to a web of marked spurs, including Moonstone and the Barney Ford Trail for a peaceful 4.2-mile pine-drenched tour. Remember to turn around and look back for wide views of the ski resort, town and the Ten Mile Range as you gain elevation.
Get there: From town, find Carter Park at 300 S. High St. It’s easily walkable from Gravity Haus, but parking is available on site.
Length: 4.9 miles
Go deep into the woods right from town and become enveloped in solitude, connecting to an intricate network of backcountry trails. This hike can be as long or short as your legs and lungs desire. The Burro segment itself is 3.2 miles with a decent amount of vertical gain (860 feet to be exact) and a variety of terrain that includes a creek, padded pine needled pathways, wildflowers, a small bridge and a rocky climb before ending at the Spruce Creek trail.
Get there: Walk west from Gravity Haus to the Beaver Run parking lot. The trailhead is across from the Beaver Run chair lift on Peak 9 at the bottom of the Lehman ski trail.
Horseshoe Bowl | Rated: Challenging
Length: 3.17 miles
This high-alpine hiking loop sits at the top of Peak 8. It’s steep and low on oxygen, but worth every step. Top out at nearly 13,000 feet and earn rewarding countywide views. Once the snow melts mid-summer, you’ll find an astonishing amount of yellow, purple and orange wildflowers blanketing the famed ski terrain. Check the Breckenridge Ski Resort website for free guided hike offerings leaving from the top of the chairlift.
Get there: Work your way over to the base of Peak 8 at the ski resort (walk, bus, gondola or drive and park) and head up marked trails — or buy a ticket and take a scenic chair lift ride — toward the iconic curved bowl at the top of the resort.
NEED A PLACE TO RESET FROM YOUR HIKE?
Book Gravity Haus Breck for your summer vacation to Breckenridge! Pro tip: Gravity Haus Members receive up to 50% off nightly hotel rate
