Mount Sanitas Trailhead

First time in Colorado and was recommended this hike by my partners cousin who said it was easy. Well as someone from Arizona who is not use to elevation this hike definitely feels like medium to medium hard!! You have to climb. A LOT! "Hated it" going up but thats because I'm dramatic. I thought it was really beautiful and worth it if in fun company. We took a lot of breaks and it took 3 of us about 5 hours to go up and down the loop. I look forward to see if it gets easier the next time we visit.

Great hike! Make sure to where appropriate shoes on this trail. There are a lot of rocks that you can slip on as you make your descent. The views are pretty and you get a great quad workout.

Popular hike for a reason. It's got great views, really cool terrain, and a challenging uphill workout. You need to be fairly fit. If you do this hike regularly, you will become very fit!

A stunning trail that leads to a breathtaking view. According to the website, it's approximately a 1.4 mile trail. Difficult in that that gives the quads an exceptional workout. I love this trail.

Challenging at first but the way down was much easier and peaceful. It was worth it in the end. Beautiful scenery.

Awesome trail. You can see all Boulder on the top!! Fantastic.

Like most reviews, I agree that the trail is very popular, and you will wait for people. Exposure is definitely something to consider in the summer months. Parking was easy at 915 am on saturday. A short walk to the trail head and straight vertical. There are a lot of steps, rocks, and people. The trail did not disappoint. I got a heck of a leg workout both up the mountain and back down. Before this hike, I thought I was getting in pretty good shape, but now I'm thinking I got work to do. Enjoy!

Quick, intense, steep, and fantastic trail. This is a local favorite and it is right at the end of Mapleton, next to a new retirement home and condos. We went before sunrise and the sight at top is beautiful. There were several people and the parking lots were filling up fast. It starts like a staircase and does not let up. You are always climbing with super short flat portions. The trail is steep in some places but easy to navigate up and down. You would think you are dine when you reach the shoulder, just a 100 feet up and you will reach the summit for great views. There is a small section of the trail where work is being done, respect the trail.

Bring Water! This is an amazing hike to get a full view of the city, but it is a lot of stairs (actual stairs, but a slope like other hikes).

We hiked the Mount Sanitas east ridge trail. It was a little over 3 miles. There was a small patch of ice on one area which is why we're glad to went the direction we did. We had a boulder a bit to the top but the clear day made for amazing views.

Nice butt burner in the Boulder area. Lots of steps. Great views and experience for those not wanting to venture out off the beaten path. Take breaks on the ascent. Unless you're an Olympic trainee :)

Stairmaster in nature, walking up the rock formations for the first half. Pleasant views of Downtown and neighboring mountains. Moderate difficulty while giving your quads a good workout. No blazes but the trail is fairly easy to follow. There isn't a prominent sign for the trailhead and there are a few along the road. Choose between street parking or a lot for another trail up the road. Downhill was primarily a dirt road ( or versa since this is a loop). It can be a little slippery if there is recent snow or rain.

Such a pretty hike! Mount Sanitas has a great mix of inclines and flat paths that reveal some of the most gorgeous views of Boulder and beyond. What's nice is that you can truly control how easy or how difficult that you want your hike to be. I did a 4 mile loop trail from the Sanitas Valley trail to the Mount Sanitas trail, and it gave me a great mix of everything that I was looking for. The Sanitas Valley Trail starts off easy with a flat, wide sandy path. It then begins to gradually incline until you reach a few trail splits. At the top of this trail, there's a beautiful vista point that has a nice view of the city. From here, you can connect to a few different trails. This is where I connected to the Mount Sanitas trail. Unlike the Sanitas Valley trail, the Mount Sanitas trail is super rocky and features several inclining switchbacks. This trail is super steep and slippery with lots of uneven rocky terrain. This is definitely the most difficult part of the trail and will require some scrabbling up large rocks. This section is short but you'll have to be careful and take your time. It's totally doable but would definitely wear shoes with good traction to prevent lots of slipping. Once you make it up to the top, you'll see a barrier and that's the Mount Sanitas summit. This is where you'll see the best views. Coming down the Mount Sanitas trail was actually more difficult than going up for me. It's even more steep and slippery on the downhill than it is on the uphill. For those with bad knees; I'd avoid going down this way or at least bring your hiking poles to relieve the pressure from your knees. My knees weren't affected as much, but my thighs and feet were definitely burning. You will feel it all in your quads since you basically have to stop yourself from slipping down that steep hill. Definitely a killer workout coming down. I came here during the week in the late afternoon, and there weren't too many people out. But the people that I did come in contact with were very friendly. There's a small parking lot across the street with limited parking spaces. During the week, it was pretty easy to find a space, but I'm sure it fills up on the weekends. There's also a really cute little picnic area that's nestled between some trees near the entrance. I took a snack break here and it was really chill. This was easily one of my favorite Colorado hikes. I would love to come back again to explore more of the trails within this park. I'd highly recommend the Sanitas Valley-Mount Sanitas trail loop if you don't mind a little scrabbling. Also, make sure you bring water and wear sunscreen as this entire trail loop is pretty much exposed. It's an excellent workout with some super scenic and rewarding views once you reach the summit.

Mt. Sanitas is a great place to get a big workout, or just enjoy being in nature. There are probably six or more entry points, and I encourage a hiker to check out a map to find your most interested route. There are easier ways to start to the north, and lengthy ways to the south. I enjoy all the routes, each has their fun parts. They all join at a beautiful high point with a few rocks. There's great views all around. I would recommend a few bottles of water and a sweater, but this is definitely a great day outing even for 30 minutes. There's a great amount of rocks and trees, and it feels quite wild. There can be a lot of folks on the trail, so please yield to those hiking uphill, and pack out your trash. I enjoy a beer at the top as often as I can!

I've been having dreams about this hiking experience since we came back from Colorado. It's been two weeks and I'm losing sleep! Hubby'a niece and her boyfriend plus their two dogs took me here. They are expert climbers. I'm an expert on taking a break between the hike and shoot tons of photographs! This was the most challenging trail I've ever done in my life! Finally, I made it to the top, at 6,843 ft! With my new sweatshirt, pants, and cap, I had an excellent fashion show on top of Mount Sanitas. They imposed the covid rule, so every climber/hiker must wear a mask. I passed a breathtaking scenery along the way--what a beautiful place to be. We started from the most challenging trail climbing up to the top and going the other way to reach the ground but hitting the ground from the top wasn't easy either. When we made it to the top and looked down on Boulder, I saw a beautiful city from above. It was almost like looking at my miniature village, pretty awesome, except the miniature one was a mass of paper. I think best to hike yourself and witness the beautiful city yourself because of the feeling of being up there is not the same as looking at the pictures. While walking back to the car, we saw a lost baby fox staring at the passers-by. It's cute but I doubt I can adopt. All in all, the hike took about an hour and a half to two hours because I had to take a min break here and there due to my photography skills, haha. The views were magnificent! I'll do it again if I get a chance. Awesome!

Great trail! It's definitely challenging in some parts, but worth the view. Parking can be tricky so make sure to get there early! It's also not shaded in some parts and can get hot. Bring extra water.

Beautiful! This is a moderate to hard hike due to the steep elevation and non sturdy ground at times. We had no problem getting up and sometimes with vertical inclines we had to climb. Getting down sometimes required us to take on the sexy crab walk to decline off some rocks. Views of Boulder were beautiful. There was plenty parking on a weekend too so that was a nice surprise. Bring plenty of water! We mistook how long this would take us and were pretty parched at the end of our hike haha. All in all a great workout and well worth the view once you get to the top!

Have hiked this a few times. It's a nice amount of exercise. Took me about an hour to get from the bottom of the trail at about 5500 feet of elevation to the top - 6,800 feet, including a couple rest stops. The trail length was 1.1 miles. It's dog friendly. Remember to bring water! Parking around the base can be challenging on weekends. I usually park on the road a few hundred yards away. There are bathrooms (usually dirty) at Centennial park nearby. From the top and all the way up as well, the views are beautiful.

The climb up the trail is beautiful right now! Everything is green and the wildflowers are blooming. It took about an hour to the top with a few photo stops. It seems a bit more than moderate and it will definitely get your heart pumping. There aren't really any level parts, it's pretty much up and back down. I definitely recommend this trail!

Beautiful hike on Mt trail and Lions Lair. Nice paths,some rocky parts and steep ascent and decsent. Kind of busy but dog owners not picking up after Fido or picking up the poo and leaving the full bag along the trail. It was a pretty area and we enjoyed every step. We went at 8 AM and there were a half dozen open parking spots. I will do this hike again I think we logged 6.9 miles with some of it a little difficult.

One of my favorite hikes! Free street parking is easy to come by on Mapleton Avenue. I recommend taking the trail to the left which is a mile stair climb to the top. There are several great resting points along the path with a great view of Boulder, CO from the top! From there I recommend taking the East Ridge trail down, which is on the other side of where you entered the top, to the Sanitas Valley trail a nice 2-mile descent. Altogether an enjoyable 3 mile climb that takes roughly 2 hours.

This is the best FREE workout in Boulder! The first quarter mile or so is a punch in the gut and mouth out the same time and will make you want to quit. The trail is abundant with wildlife and AMAZING views! The view at the top is incredible with views of Pikes peak to the south, and Boulder to the east. It's about a 3 mile loop with about 1,200 ft elevation gain in just over a mile. Definitely a must do if you're in the Boulder area and looking for a nature outing.

Our hotel said this hike was a top 5 tourist attraction, and I can see why. I always appreciate a good hike, and my cousin (a local) insisted we hit the trail at 6am to appreciate the sun rise. It was COLD on this November morning, in the 20's. BUT, once you get moving your core temperature will keep you warm. This is not a long arduous trail, but a quality condensed experience of everything this hill-side city has to offer in terms of natural beauty as well as a great workout - intensity is dependent on your pace, allowing for a strenuous hillside blast for the most vigorous athletes, or a relaxing accent for couch dwellers. We kept a brisk pace and hit the top in about 40 minutes. Sanitas takes a little familiarity to know about, which makes it less crowded versus the flat iron trails. Still, you will most likely come across a few fellow hikers, even early in the morning we did, the trail offers a much more scenic experience than the southern alternative. If you really want some private exploring, check out sunshine canyon, but it is shaded, so much colder. We enjoyed our morning! You can make the hike in running shoes, no problem.

I came for this hike after work on a weekday around 6PM, and the parking lot was mostly full with a few spots left. The hike was steep but short, and a lot of it wasn't shaded. There were also two or three false summits, but it wasn't too bad. The view at the top was of the city below, and there are some rocks at the top to sit at and enjoy the view. The hike down was a bit boring, as there weren't many views and was just going along the mountain bottom. Signage was decent, although there aren't many forks to begin with.

A 3.3 mile hike across Boulder's open space trails and galore! Just off of Sunshine Canyon Dr., and Mapleton Ave, this trail is very enjoyable and very challenging for beginners, but a low impact for those who are goat legged. The parking can be free at times, especially coming as the early bird. Great trail for a 2-3 hour hike traveling up and along the ridge line. I like to go in the evenings, and overlook the Boulder area and surrounding valley. Weekends are very busy with hikers and trail runners but trail is fairly wide for the most part. Take care on wet days as rocks may be rather slick. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on leash or well disciplined. Definitely start to the left, hard stuff first. Then make your way down slowly after the top. Gorgeous area! The way down (on the east) was a lot of fun scrambling and then winding through the valley. Saw folks of all sorts on the trail, from the elderly to people doing it with toddlers on their back. It was difficult but doable and left me with a sense of accomplishment.

Hiked this trail for the first time last Sunday and it was awesome! We went from the trailhead on all trails aka climbed the stairs up instead of down. It was an awesome work out with beautiful views. Noticed a lot of people running it as well. A great work out and would def come back. There were a few icy spots on the trail but nothing requiring different shoes, just some caution - esp for those carrying babies or 3 year olds in our case! My only con is that not everyone... or almost no one leashes their dogs. There are a few parking lots but best to get their early to swipe a spot. We started around 8am and had no trouble!

This place is definitely a must come sunshine or a little snow. The trail is maintained well and has a good mix of steps and rocky ascent. Careful on the way down as it can get a little slippery when wet. Towards the top it can get a little confusing as there are no clear signs that point you through several passages of boulders (part of trail) so be on the lookout if you want to stay the course. Afternoons can bring a lot of foot traffic so if you plan on jogging or running I suggest you go early morning. Same thing with parking. Overall, there are awesome views of the city of Boulder or the million dollar homes that pepper the foothills. The hike is moderate but if it's your first time at this altitude definitely bring water and a snack.

This is a near-daily habit for me. As a trail runner, I try to beat :22 to the summit, and :37 round trip along the most direct ridge trail. Most people should allow about :45 to an hour to summit, and it is a solid achievement just to make it up without stopping. Whatever your fitness level, the views are totally worth it! Another great thing about this trail is practicing your footwork. This is a stair stepper, for sure, and so you need to have your wits about you as you navigate this rocky trail. There are several steep grades to navigate that might require a little caution, especially on weekends when the trail has a lot of traffic on it. Overall, I suggest that most people bring a bottle of water + some band-aids in case you scrape on a rock or two. Cell phones work along the entire trail. There are some great options to loop this trail; either going over the top and down the longer trail, or along the back to Lions Lair. You can tailor this loop to all levels of physical ambition.

This is a beautiful but challenging hike. I loved the incline and views! It is possibly one of my new favorite hikes in Boulder, Colorado. A friend of mine kept telling me how awesome it was so I decided to give it a try. Right of the bat the hike is straight up and I got a little worried. But I like a challenge so I pushed my through and ended up beating my friends time by 7 minutes. I felt so much energy by the nice people passing and encouraging me. I have to mention the gorgeous views as well. You have a beautiful view of Boulder and the Flatirons. I have decided to try to hike Sanita's once a week and try to make it up and down in less than an hour. I don't know if I can but the challenge is fun. There are so many great hikes in Boulder but this one is truly one of the best!!

First time doing Mt. Sanitas aka Manzanitas (for some of us spanish speakers). I definitely underestimated it's hardcoreness but enjoyed it a lot. The PARKING LOT for this trail is a little ways down from where the hike actually starts. There are BATHROOMS available, which I highly recommend you use because the hike is not at all fast...unless you are one of those people who are timing themselves. Once you start the trail there are a few routes you can take...I think we took the standard route. The hike wasn't hard but we had to go slow because there were a lot of rocks and the pathway was steadily inclining. It actually took us about 2 hrs to complete. When we recorded the distance it was about 1.5 miles going up, coming down there's an alternate route which we didn't take in fear of getting lost. Overall the hike was scenic, nice, and a great workout. I would say it's a definite must if you are visiting Boulder! Remember: -CO has a higher elevation so you may run out of breath faster. -Bring shoes you don't really care for. -Bring water! -Go in the early morning or late afternoon.

Mt. Sanitas Trail is among my favorite walking/hiking spots in Boulder. If you want to avoid Chautauqua Park crowds, have plenty of parking and get in and out in under 2 hours with a terrific endorphin blast with fabulous views (even though not as challenging or dramatic as other hiking venues), check out Mt. Sanitas. It's very kid or beginner friendly, there are terrain choices for those not wanting to work that hard, too. Several trails, and all pretty damn easy and enjoyable.. This trip I've been here three times in the early a.m. before my meetings. First rate.

A great, short hike just outside town. Given it's proximity to town, it can get very crowded, so plan accordingly. Parking isn't usually an issue if you go to some of the nearby streets. There are several spots to stop and get big, panoramic views to the east and a glimpse of the mountains to the west. The actual hike is moderately difficult but not at all technical. Essentially zero exposure and a hike that you can be very comfortable taking kids on. As with a lot of hikes, the summit is often pretty crowded, but its still rewarding. This is a nice hike to take visitors on as it doesn't take up a huge chunk of time and the altitude isn't bad at all....nothing like taking a flat lander to a 14er. You can do an out and back or a loop; doing the loop is a little easier decent and ends up being pretty flat going through the canyon. As far as time, you can summit in around 30 minutes if you hoof it, but if you are at more leisurely pace and actually take in some of the views, plan on around 60+ minutes. Sunrise at the top is a pretty hard to beat.

Beautiful trail! We went on a Saturday when the temperature was -4. The crowds were not an issue. Very well marked and rugged beauty everywhere!! Only 2 miles from our hotel. 5 stars for sure.

Hands-down, this is my favorite Boulder area hike. Beautiful views and a good little workout. This hike is perfect in the spring because the snow melts more quickly from this sunny trail than nearby mountains. And if you're feeling tired, it's still a great hike as it affords beautiful views of Boulder just a short distance in. Three suggestions: - Don't hike between 11AM-4PM on a cool summer day - this trail gets packed! - Also, beware that this trail is fairly exposed and sunny. So, rain gear, sunblock, and lots of water are must-haves. - To mix things up, do the loop (3.2 mi) that goes down the east side of the mountain from the top and connects to the wide, graveled footpath.

Since we were hiking for exercise, we followed Drew A.'s advice and started our hike by veering to the right (East) at the initial fork (counterclockwise). I think it probably was the best way to go, and the only way I would hike this trail. As he mentioned, this gave us a nice warm-up in the beginning of the hike since it starts off with a 1 mile gradual uphill walk on flat surface. Next we hit a tough uphill climb with plenty of rocks to scramble over. I had to take a few breaks here, but once we reached the top there was a beautiful view of Boulder Valley and nearby mountain tops, and it was all downhill the rest of the way back. Since we hiked late in the afternoon, this route gave us optimum exposure to the sun. We had just enough sunlight to climb the East side and then as we headed down the West side, we were able to catch the beginning of the sunset. Plus, since we were going downhill, we had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the gorgeous mountaintop views on this side of the loop. A word of caution: Going down the Mt. Sanitas Trail can be slippery even when not wet. I slipped multiple times on loose sand on top of smooth rocks. A good pair of hiking shoes with better tread than my old sneakers would have been great ;) Coming down was also a little tough on the knees as there are lots of rocks and steps on the West side of the loop. Overall this is a great trail that I hope to come back to again soon!

It took about 2 hours and my tush and legs were screaming for 3 days straight. This is not an easy or leisure hike at all...it's a work out, but that's what I was hoping for! I still like the hike up to Royal Arch better but love the variety in Boulder.

Beautiful hike! It's a very good workout as well since there is quite a bit of elevation involved. Everyone on the trail are super friendly and you will see lots of animals. It's a great way to spend a weekend :)

Love this hike! I do not on the other hand enjoy the parking or the difficulty finding friends if we arrive separately. I haven't quite figured out the best time/days to hike but have noticed much less foot traffic in the AM during the week. Not for the faint of heart or necessarily your sea level visitors but a terrific all around hike. Take your pace as you like, definitely drink/bring water, and be ready for it to be a bit cooler on the top. Lots of dogs on and off leash so if you are looking for a place where furry friends are not known to roam free and sneak up on you I suggest a different spot. Good chance of seeing some boulderers as well as wildlife (deer run rampant around dusk) and I've even seen some miniature monster trucks barreling up the trail.

Huge fan of this trail! Living in Boulder, this trail is one of the most popular ones we have, and for good reason. It's relatively low impact, pretty short, and it hosts great views to the city of Boulder and beyond. Furthermore, if you're lucky, you can get a pretty good parking spot - for free! Definitely serves a solid workout - in a Stairmaster 3000 kind of way - so make sure you're hydrated and prepared. If you can get to the top in one charge, it's safe to say you're doing fine. Be careful on the way down though, as the huge steps can be pretty brutal on your knees. If you choose to go down on the East side in the Winter, you'll most certainly encounter some downhill ice skating.

Great hike! Harder than I expected! There are a lot of big rocks to hike up and down over. Lots of people walking cute dogs and awesome views of Boulder - start at centennial trailhead then cross the street at the crosswalk to get to trailhead. We started hiking the East Ridge trail and that met up with Mount Sanitas trail around the top. There are also other trails you can get to from this trail such as Dakota Ridge trail and Goat trail. Wear hiking boots because there are some slippery areas. Also, there are quite a few lookout points--so bring your camera!

This is one of my fav hikes with my GSP, and I was surprised to see some people complaining about off leash dogs. Boulder has online maps showing where dogs are allowed off leash. A good portion of the trails at Chautauqua, Sanitas, etc... are designated off leash as long as the owner has gone through Boulder's Voice and Sight program and the pup has the special tag on its leash. Check this out at Boulder's website if you don't want to be on a trail with a lot of pups. https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/voice-and-sight

Great trail and super work out if you go to the top. Quite beautiful all around on the trail as well as great views. Very secure trail easily done in sneakers but hiking boots would certainly help. We did it in May, and it was quite warm and then boom in camera rain shower to drench us, but then we were dry by the time we got down when the sun came out. Loved this 2 hour hike.

Simply beautiful, and for some, life changing. I discovered this gem in the Spring of 2010, and haven't been able to stay away since. I could go on and on about the views, and the how enjoyable the small bouldering sections are, or how this is God's version of a stairmaster. All of these things are true. Most importantly, this is a perfect length hike, depending on speed, route, between 1 hour and 1hr 45. One thing I must note. I have read many takes on this trail, and about 95% of people online, and seemingly on the trail, take a left at the initial fork. This takes you up the West Ridge trail, which begins very unforgivingly with many steps. The summit is about 1.2 miles from the start, and then you can choose to come back down the way you came, shaving about .7 miles off the complete loop, or you can go down the zig-zagging East Ridge side, which goes down quite steeply for about .9 miles, then leads into the Sanitas Valley Trail, ending the loop with a gentle downhill mile. DON'T DO THIS! You see, if you take the above mentioned route, you have a few disadvantages. 1. The trail begins with no warm up, very steep into steps. This is alright if you are in great shape, but for the rest of us, its not going to encourage you to come back. 2. Going down the East Ridge trail is not very fun. It is narrow compared to the West, and much trickier going down then up. 3. If you decide to go back down the way you came, you just missed out on .7 miles of this beautiful loop! 4. If you do make it down the East Ridge trail, the lower incline downhill last mile in the Sanitas Valley is not fun either. Walking pace is awkward, as is running. So you end up halfway in between unless you want to destroy your knees. I much prefer the counter-clockwise loop, and I have been able to convince many it is more fun and beneficial! Some advantages: 1. The beginning Sanitas Valley trail is a fantastic warm-up. About a mile to get going. Also, the Dakota Ridge Trail runs alongside, allowing for variety. 2. The East Ridge trail is meant to be climbed. Beautiful views, fun to navigate, and a nice mix or switchbacks, bouldering, and steps. 3. Going down the West Ridge starts off a bit steep with a few steps, but quickly widens up and is a lot of fun to hop skip down. 4. This is a much more natural progression for a workout. Warm up, intensity with intervals, followed by a nice long cool down. I've gone clockwise once on this trail, and counterclockwise the other 50 times. I love Mt. Sanitas as much as I love Boulder, and I'll keep coming back until they close it down. P.S. When I say life changing, I refer to the fact that before I discovered this trail, I was mainly inactive, and weighed 300 pounds (at 6'6, thats still quite overweight). I currently stand at 235, and can only thank Mt. Sanitas and its inspirational setting for that. That is the reason this review has more of a workout slant. Believe me, i've spent more then my fair share at the summit, taking in the view for as long as I can sit still. Must be seen.

I read some of the reviews on here and it made it sounds like this was a moderate hike. NOT FOR ME! It was 1300 feet elevation gain, pretty much nothing but straight up. I went up the mountain one way and down the other and it was 5.1 miles round trip. I was sweating my butt off in August! Drank 2 entire water bottles. I'm not sure which way made me more sore, the way up or the way down. This was about my 10th hike in the last 2 months and it was definetly the most challenging. Of course there were people there that looked like it was a breeze, but you'd have to be very used to the altitude and be very in shape to call this a "pretty easy" hike. Maybe if you're used to climbing mountains. I just want people to be aware that this isnt something you just go out and casually do. It took us about 3 hours, but we stopped at the top for about 30 minutes. If you are up for the challenge, the views are amazing and they are almost visible the entire time! There are some pretty rocky parts, wear good shoes and maybe even bring those hiking poles that people have. The way down was much easier, but challenging in it's own way. Good luck and if you go in summer, be prepared!!

I've done this trail the easy way (from the first parking lot, right) and now the hard way - from the second parking lot. It's a good lung burner, and the view at the top are amazing! Definitely a great hike! The parking lot fills up quickly. And there is full sun for most of the trail.

My friend, hubby, and I hiked about 2.5 miles for about 2 hours. There are numerous paths to take- all I remember is we followed right most of the way. It was 90 degrees and sunny so it was really hot and there weren't too many shady spots! There are lots of scary looking thorny trees everywhere. There were a bunch of trees that were blackened at the trunk and looked burnt. There was also a little area that looked like death island with power wires hanging everywhere and dead trees. Other than that... the hike was nice! There was a nice path to follow that went through some water. There were pretty quartz rocks laying around a beautiful view of Boulder. I will be back to try some other trails in the future.

There are four different ways to get up to Sanitas, and all are great and offer a diverse variety. This is one of my favorite places to trail run: if I'm not feeling to great I can take the easy gravel route, or if I want to push it i can take the steap west route, or even more, if I want to live life dangerously I can run from the far north route. This place can get super busy though and there are almost always tons of dogs since there is an off-leash program there. There are a few good bouldering spots for climbers too, but the rock is a bit sharp. Simply great place with gorgeous views and a very typically Colorado feel.

I love hiking but this trail wasn't quite what I expected. After reading about it online, I assumed that it would be a short 2 mile easy to moderate hike with a great view. When we started the hike, the trail quickly turned into a vertical climb and stayed that way for the duration. I definitely admit that my expectations were off, but it was definitely challenging for both of us. Once getting to the top, the views of Boulder were spectacular. The trail down was just as steep but going downhill which was also more challenging than expected. I think what makes it difficult is the large elevation gain in such a short distance. Overall I'm glad that we hiked this trail but aren't sure if we will be back.

Be warned: This hike is tough. Lots of uphill leg work, so don't attempt if you don't feel you have the time to commit to going a little slower! If you do this hike, though... the views you're rewarded with are nothing short of incredible. If you still can't make it, take the trail that goes along the base of the mountain. It's mostly flat and an easy walk. Less of a view, but it's peaceful and well-traveled by others with a couple side paths you can take that looked much easier. I really loved this hike. It felt like a work out in all the right ways, really tested my knowledge of what is and isn't a trail, and was packed with people racing to the top just before sunset to take in the view. There were a number of short lead offs to ledges you could stand on, surveying the Boulder valley below. At it's highest point, you'll be treated to a spectacular view offered up by none other than Mother Nature herself including a slight curvature of the earth. That's right. You can really tell just how round this little planet is from way up here! Everyone on the trail that we stopped to talk to was very friendly and welcoming to us outsiders... in our flip flops and summer clothes. Certainly not suitable for hiking, but we made it anyway! Boulderites were impressed and took photos of us, ha. I also had a run-in with a deer; staring a buck down less than a couple feet in front of your face is a bit intimidating, but a cool experience none the less! At least it wasn't a bear or a mountain lion... If you plan on coming up to see the sunset, please be well aware that you need to hike down quickly to avoid being trapped up here when it gets dark. And it gets dark FAST. Bring a flashlight just in case and you should be okay.

If you're in the Boulder area looking for a quick, yet satisfying hike, look no further. This one has easily scalable terrain so don't worry about it being too challenging. It's about an hour and a half to the top. The top carries breathtaking views, especially if you're not native to the mountain area. It's certainly a great quick escape from the city of Boulder.

If you want to get in a quick run/hike with some elevation gain Mt Sanitas is a great choice. As others have mentioned a loop linking up W Ridge trail or Dakota Ridge is recommended. Note that the dirt gets a bit sticky when wet due to the high clay content and some trails are worse than others. The park is great year round, but consider traction devices (e.g. Yaktrax) in the winter if you're uncomfortable on hard packed snow/ice. There's also bouldering (mostly easy) fairly close to the trailhead (routes described here: http://www.mountainproject.com/v/mount-sanitas/105744361).

Desperately needing to get outdoors I made my way up to Boulder this morning to give this hike a try. Very steep in areas, but once you reach the top it's well worth it. Figure on an hour or so to the top depending on your ability. Less of course if you like to run trails. I will never begin to understand trail runners! They freak me out just a little. This trail is crowded on weekends as I got to experience today, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Plenty of kids and pets along the way, many taking easier trails to the summit, but to be out in nature in never a bad thing. This trail was just what I needed today, not too long and close enough to home without having to worry about a long drive back afterwards. The views from the summit overlooking Boulder are beautiful. Make sure to take your sunscreen and some water, though I saw many without. Better to be safe than sorry. I'm happy to report no bears or mountain lions were seen on this day!

All levels are welcome*!! This is a difficult hike, so wear good shoes and bring plenty of water. If you have bad knees or hips, bring walking sticks. As with any hike, don't stop on the way up (or take small breaks) and pack a protein snack to eat at the top. Also, since there are narrow spots on the trail, remember, those trekking UP have right of way! Happy hiking!

Plugging "Mount Sanitas" into google maps led me to one place but "Mount Sanitas Trailhead" gets you to another place. I suppose it depends whether you plan to do the 3.1mi loop trail or just an out and back through the valley. "Mount Sanitas" gets you to the valley whereas Mount Sanitas Trailhead takes you to the start of the popular 3.1mi loop trail. My group did the 3.1mi loop trail, parking at Mapleton & 4th. Street parking was easy enough, and we were there 12pm on a Saturday. You go up the Ridge Trail, summit, then return on East Ridge Trail and Mt Sanitas Valley Trail. Lots of people on the trail. There's not a lot of signage, but it's unlikely you'll get lost. This trail kicked my group's butt - someone told us it was a great hike that people often do as a morning walk. A third of the way in, I thought we had somehow ended up on the wrong hike. It starts off with about a mile of constant incline, practically like going up a rock staircase. After you summit and take in the great views, there's some steep downhill (but with good footholds) for a bit until you reach a relatively flat valley area. Because of the constant incline at the beginning, I would recommend starting at Mapleton/4th as it'll be easier on the knees going up the Ridge Trail vs. coming down. Bring a ton of water. There was little shade, especially in the uphill. Felt accomplished afterwards

Gorgeous views with a healthy workout. This trail has several spots along the 3-mile loop to rest on the rocks and view the city of Boulder to the east or the mountains to the west. It wasn't too crowded on a Saturday in mid-November at 3pm, but I can see how this place could get packed.

Five Star Trail. Mt. Sanitas is Boulder's best trail if your looking for a condensed experience of everything this hill-side city has to offer in terms of natural beauty as well as a great workout - intensity is dependent on your pace, allowing for a strenuous hillside blast for the most vigorous athletes, or a relaxing accent for couch dwellers. This town is loaded with beautiful trails, and is known for those trails: the flatirons are immensely packed, being the go to spot for those visiting boulder on a mission for a nature fix, especially on weekdays, yet Sanitas takes a little familiarity to know about, allowing for a much less crowded hiking route. Still, you will most likely come across a few fellow hikers, the trail offers a much more scenic and naturesome experience than the southern alternative (If you really want some private exploring, check out sunshine canyon). How to get there and park: The trail is located on 4th and Mapleton, just take Mapleton west until you reach the Hospital and it is just passed on your right. (Because of construction, one of the trail heads are closed, and you have to take a detour indicated by signs. There is a bike rack for cyclists, and parking along the north side of Mapleton (I have noticed people parking on the south side, but a sign clearly indicates that is prohibited. Sketchy), as well as in the Hospital parking lot. If you venture a little further west down Mapleton, passed the trail head,there is a parking lot with easy access to Sanitas, Red Rocks, and Sunshine Canyon, although it is usually full. The trail itself is a loop, or rather and oval, with the west long side of the oval progressing North up a mountain climaxing at over 6863 ft, then a quick descent bring you back down to head south along the east side of the trail. Because of Construction the primary east side of the decent is closed, so the only option, the better option anyway is the Dakota ridge, which progress parallel to the typical gravel trail, heading south, but is strewn through a thin forest with beautiful scenery and views. You can't help but appreciate the beauty, and if you're running its hard not to feel a little badass, avoiding rocks and potential ankle breaking zigs. You can go about the loop any way. I typically preferring running up the mountain to the summit then back down, starting from the southern end. The View: From the top you can see all the way to Lyons, maybe even Fort Collins to the South, to the West there is Sunshine Canyon and rolling hills of forests (Still have yet to witness a sunset from there, I'm sure it would be amazing), the East reveals Boulders Flatland planes while is blends in with the Northern view of Denver, The Rocky Flats, and back to the Flatirons. An unforgettable sight and feeling of accomplishment once reach the accent. Don't forget to bring your water. Time yourself and post about it, let's see how you do.

What a great little jaunt just a stone's throw from Pearl Street in Boulder. You can do this trail as an out and back or as a loop. I suggest you start by going left at the fork and taking the western trail up the back of the ridge. There are great views of the forest and the peaks beyond when you get high enough. The trail is steep, but the trailbuilders did a great job of placing rock steps right where you seem to need them. There are places where you will have to scurry across boulders and the trail all but disappears. There are several great places to catch your breath, and you can easily have a view of both the front rage and the mountains. The summit is a beautiful, if windy, place to have a snack or light lunch. To complete the loop, head down the mountain to the wide path that goes along the bottom of the valley to the east of Mt. Sanitas. This part of the walk is not covered at all, and I imagine it can get very hot in the summer. All told this is about a two hour hike, although you can complete it much faster--a lot of people running the trail--or take your time--like the snail in the Yankees windbreaker. Try out this hike if you do not have all day to commit to a longer adventure. Also, this route is just long enough to make you feel like you earned that great meal awaiting you somewhere along Pearl Street.