Finding a city’s secret spots can only really happen at human speed. In this series, World Running Guide, we’ll provide information to help you discover your next destination through the eyes (or rather, feet) of a runner.
Boulder, Colorado, has 45,000 acres of open space to feel the grass under your feet and the fresh air above. Combine that with more than 150 miles of biking and hiking trails on and around peaks like the picturesque Flatirons and it is not hard to imagine the whirlwind of possibilities for runners.
On Your Mark
Photo courtesy of W&J, CC-BY-SA
Boulder is paradise for any outdoor adventurer, whether it’s skiing, biking, or running. The mountainside town is highly regarded in the fitness world, especially for its trails. On Active.com and Forbes, Boulder ranked #4 in a list of the best running cities in the country. Women’s Running ranked it at sixth, beating out major players like Boston and Austin. Men’s Fitness considered it the third best American city for trail running.
As you can see, Boulder’s trails have stolen America’s heart. The climate isn’t too shabby either. Average annual high temperatures are around 65 degrees and low temperatures at 37—not too cold, and not too hot. When it does get toasty, the landscape is dreamy underneath some bright sunshine and the slopes super fun for diehard skiers. In short: Boulder’s climate should fulfill (almost) every desire.
Get Set
Photo courtesy of Kallu, CC-BY-SA
Exploring Boulder is hard without eventually bumping into the Mesa Trail. The infamous route is seven miles of pure Colorado greenery, dirt, and rock formations. You can either start at the north end at the Chautauqua trailhead, or the south end at the South Mesa trailhead. If you want to know what Boulder looks like summed up into one picture, this run is for you.
Another scenic run is the Skunk Canyon Kohler Mesa Loop (don’t worry no actual skunks on this route…I think). The path is only three miles which makes for a great short, speed workout or can be added to the rest of the Mesa Trail. You’ll climb several hundred feet in elevation and see sweeping views of Green Mountain and Skunk Canyon.
Photo by Glen Delman