The best trail runs on the Front Range

Trails that start close to home offer some of Colorado’s best wilderness workouts

By Malena Larsen 

There are roughly 40,000 miles of trails to explore in Colorado. As a trail runner, this state is an all-you-can-eat buffet. But as someone who doesn’t live deep in the mountains, I don’t always want to do a winding canyon drive or an Interstate 70 trek to check challenging miles off my to-do list. Luckily, there are plenty of options on the Front Range.

There are many different definitions of Colorado's Front Range. Some stretch as far as Casper, Wyoming, and others include fourteeners like Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. But for the sake of this article, I'm focusing on the foothills corridor between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. So, let's work our way down Interstate 25 and explore the trails that are perfect for an after-work adventure or a Saturday morning long run.

Horsetooth Rock Trail, Fort Collins

This roughly 5-mile loop is located west of Fort Collins. You’ll experience rocky switchbacks and pockets of ponderosa pine before reaching panoramic views above Horsetooth Reservoir. With more than 1,400 feet of elevation gain, it's challenging, but as long as you go at your own pace, it's accessible for all levels of trail runners.

“Shawn’s Loop,” Boulder 

You caught me. This is not an official name or loop. Shawn’s Loop was created back in 2022 by speedster and friend Shawn Murdzek. 

“I had just moved to Colorado and had done some small trail runs near the Flatirons. Most of them were out-and-backs,” Shawn explained. “I wanted to create a route in the area that was a loop. I doubt I was the first person to connect these trails, but it seems like this route gets less publicity than others, like the Skyline Traverse.” 

So, what is Shawn’s Loop? The route starts at Chautauqua Park in Boulder and follows Baseline Road to Flagstaff Trail, climbing all the way to the top of Flagstaff Mountain before connecting to the Ute Trail. From there, runners briefly join Flagstaff Road before descending Chapman Drive into Boulder Canyon. The loop continues along the Boulder Canyon Bike Path to Eben G. Fine Park, where the Viewpoint Trail reconnects with Flagstaff Trail for the final descent back to Chautauqua.

The loop is just under 11 miles and has just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, the majority of which is packed into the first rocky two and a half miles. Because of this, Shawn recommends his iconic loop to intermediate or experienced trail runners.

“The stretch coming down Chapman Drive is my favorite,” said Shawn. “It’s all downhill on smooth dirt, which feels great after the tough ascent up Flagstaff.” 

After Shawn introduced me to the loop in 2023, I’ve probably run it over 20 times. Most of those times have been with my running buddy, Erika Kooda. 

“We’ve done this loop early in the morning and after work. It’s almost always accompanied by a full day of other activities or commitments,” Erika said. “I think what keeps us coming back is the difficulty and the proximity to home.” 

Shawn’s Loop is a prime example of a Front Range trail run that feels like it’s deep in the mountains. You get a little bit of everything, from creek-side miles to snow-capped mountain views to technical, root-covered trails. 

“One morning we had the most incredible inversion. After the first two miles straight up Flagstaff, we were rewarded with incredible views of the higher peaks above the clouds right as we began the descent,” Erika reminisced. 

North Table, Golden 

Located just outside of Golden, North Table Mountain Park offers a collection of interconnected trails and seemingly endless route combinations. My favorite is the Outer Rim Loop, which is about seven and a half miles with just over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. 

Like Shawn’s Loop, the Outer Rim Loop starts with a bang; much of the elevation gain is in the first half mile. Other than the initial elevation gain, this trail is highly runnable. Plus, you’re likely to see adorable mule deer.

A few things to watch out for: this trail is frequented by mountain bikers. You will need to step aside to let them through. It is extremely exposed, so in the summer sun, it can get pretty toasty. 

Waterton Canyon, Littleton 

Waterton Canyon is southwest of Littleton and marks the beginning of the Colorado Trail (CT). For the first six and a half miles, runners will take a wide dirt road that runs along the South Platte River through the canyon. Then, the route leaves the canyon road behind and narrows into singletrack as it enters the Colorado Trail. 

You can do an out-and-back of virtually any distance, or, if you’re taking on the adventure with a running buddy, you can park one car at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead and another at the South Platte River Trailhead. This is a challenging, roughly 16 and a half-mile route with almost 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Not only does this route take you over creeks and through beautiful forests, you can also say you’ve completed segment one of the CT! 

North Cheyenne Cañon Park, Colorado Springs

North Cheyenne Cañon Park is in Colorado Springs. The canyon system is filled with interconnected routes that wind along North Cheyenne Creek, climb through dense pine forest, and pass landmarks like Helen Hunt Falls and Seven Bridges. With over 50 miles of trails to link together, runners can build anything from short shaded loops to longer, more technical efforts that feel surprisingly remote despite being close to the city.

If none of these routes are exactly what you’re looking for on your next run, there are plenty of other Front Range options to explore, from Deer Creek Canyon in Littleton to Walker Ranch in Boulder. And if you still can’t find the perfect route, you can always do what Shawn did: connect familiar trails and create your own loop.

“Creating new routes is like cooking. A new route may not work out on your first try. Similarly to how you might adjust the spices in a new recipe, you might need to rethink some of the trail connections in a new route,” Shawn advised. “But I think that’s part of the fun! Just make sure you’re safe when you’re exploring. Bring extra water, extra snacks, and a map.” 

To get started, try incorporating trails you’re already familiar with and use tools like Gaia GPS, Strava, AllTrails, or OnX Backcountry. 

Let these close-to-home trails become your own map of the Front Range. They’re more than dirt, roots, and rocks. They’re where your fitness improves, your friendships grow closer, and small adventures fit into everyday life. 

Larsen is a writer and Minnesota-to-Colorado transplant. Her favorite subjects to write about are craft beer, outdoor adventures, and any topic where she gets to learn something new. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, taking photos of mountain goats, and checking out breweries with her pals.