10 Easy Hikes Near Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a beautiful mountain town in the heart of Colorado that should be on every bucket list. The quaint town sits at 9,600 feet, surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains in the state. Although it is known for its ski resorts and is one of the best places to visit in the winter, there are many other things to do year-round!

One of the best ways to experience everything Breckenridge offers is by hiking. And the best part? Breckenridge has hiking trails for all levels. Although some trails are strenuous, Breckenridge has many easy hikes for the entire family. And the views on each will not disappoint. This guide has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes near Breckenridge to add to your itinerary when you visit.

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Tips for Hiking in Breckenridge

Breckenridge sits at over 9,000 feet. If you are not acclimated to the elevation, you may experience some symptoms of elevation sickness, especially while hiking. I recommend taking it slow and let your body get acclimated.
Take it slow. I recommend taking it slow when you hike to ensure you get used to the altitude. Make sure to hike slowly and pack plenty of water and snacks.
Check for trail closures. While some of these easy hikes near Breckenridge are open year-round, some are closed in the winter.
Many hiking trails have snow through the beginning of summer. Even the easy hikes near Breckenridge can have lingering snow in the summer. I recommend researching trail conditions and renting the appropriate gear if needed.
Breckenridge has a lot of wildlife. Even in residential or populated areas, you are likely to see wildlife. Make sure to keep an eye out, be careful, and do not approach or feed the wildlife. We saw bears, moose, and elk while driving around.
Pack layers. The weather in Breckenridge is unpredictable. I recommend packing layers to accommodate any weather you may run into on the trails. As mentioned previously, snow can also linger on some trails through June, and you should research trail conditions to ensure you have the correct hiking gear.
Wear sunscreen. Because you are at a higher elevation in Breckenridge and closer to the sun, it is easy to get a sunburn. We learned this the hard way on our first day! Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before heading out to adventure.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

What to Pack for Hiking in Breckenridge

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Map of the Easy Hikes Near Breckenridge

The Best Easy Hikes Near Breckenridge

Sawmill Reservoir Trail

Length: 1.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 240 feet

Dog friendly: yes

Sawmill Reservoir Trail is a fantastic hike that you can access right from downtown Breckenridge. The 1.3-mile trail provides mountain views along the entire hike, as it follows along the base of the Breckenridge Ski Resort before looping around Sawmill Reservoir.

Since Sawmill Reservoir is close to downtown, the trail is very popular. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly, but you can park in a downtown parking lot and walk up 4 O’Clock Road to the trailhead if needed. You will quickly fall in love with this easy hike in Breckenridge!

Minnie Mine Loop

Length: 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Dog friendly: Yes

Breckenridge had many gold mines in the late 1800s to the early 1900s that produced over a million ounces of gold! Even though most mines are slowly breaking down, Breckenridge has many historic mines you can explore.

This easy 1.5-mile loop brings you past a mine while offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and ski resort. You can hike the short loop or extend it to a 3-mile loop with more mountain views. Both trails are very popular because of their proximity to downtown Breckenridge, and the small parking lot can fill up quickly.

If you want to hike Minnie Mine Loop, I recommend arriving early to secure a spot. This trail will have you falling in love with exploring the historic mines in Breckenridge!

Sallie Barber Mine Trail

Length: 2.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Dog friendly: Yes

Another fun and easy hike near Breckenridge to a historic mine is the Sallie Barber Mine Trail! This trail is a bit longer of a hike, but it is gradual and easy to follow. The 2.8-mile trail begins just past the Minnie Mine Loop and travels through a beautiful forest to a historic mine and a mountain viewpoint.

Although the mine is cool to see, I think the real star of the hike is the viewpoint because the views of the surrounding mountains are beautiful! Although this is a longer trail, it is worth the extra effort.

Sapphire Point Overlook Trail

Length: 0.6 miles

Elevation Gain: minimal

Dog friendly: Yes

Sapphire Point is one of the best and most popular easy hikes near Breckenridge that is perfect for the entire family. It is just north of Breckenridge in the town of Frisco, and it is one of the most popular places to enjoy an easy hike, offering views of Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding mountains.

The 0.6-mile loop has multiple viewpoints to stop and get some photos. If you only want to see the main view, you can hike the loop clockwise for about 100 yards. This viewpoint is the most popular and offers stunning views, but I recommend hiking the entire loop since it is short and easy.

Sapphire Point is one of the most popular trails, and the parking lot fills up quickly, especially during the summer. Once you hike Sapphire Point, you will quickly realize why it's a popular easy hike for the entire family!

Old Dillon Reservoir Trail

Length: 1.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 220 feet

Dog friendly: Yes

Across from Sapphire Point is the Old Dillon Reservoir Trail in the small town of Dillon. Although you can enjoy trails around the larger Dillon Reservoir, I recommend hiking to the Old Dillon Reservoir because you get stunning views looking east over the entire Dillon Reservoir.

The 1.7-mile trail follows along an easy-to-follow path with beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains before looping around the Old Dillon Reservoir. The summer also has gorgeous wildflowers along the trail. Old Dillon Reservoir Trail is one of the best easy hikes near Breckenridge, and the views will not disappoint!

Blue Lakes Trail

Length: 1 mile (if the gate is closed, it will add about 1.2 miles)

Elevation Gain: 110 feet

Dog friendly: Yes

Blue Lakes Trail is one of my favorite easy hikes near Breckenridge because it offers stunning views of the mountains and an alpine lake. The road to the trailhead is bumpy, but most cars are okay to make the drive as long as you use caution. When we hiked Blue Lakes Trail, the gate to the trailhead was closed, which added 1.2 miles to our hike, but if the gate is open, the trail is only 1 mile.

The trail climbs up to the top of a dam, offering great views overlooking Blue Lakes and the surrounding mountains. Although the big lake was beautiful, I loved the view behind it, looking over the smaller Blue Lake because it is absolutely breathtaking of the surrounding mountains!

If you are looking for a longer and more strenuous hike, I recommend hiking to Monte Cristo Gulch. The 3-mile trail is difficult but worth the effort for the stunning views.

Rainbow Lake

Length: 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 170 feet

Dog friendly: Yes

Rainbow Lake is a beautiful easy hike near Breckenridge in Frisco. The 1.5-mile trail begins in downtown Frisco and follows a well-maintained path to the shores of Rainbow Lake. Although Rainbow Lake does not have dramatic mountains surrounding it, the lake is a great spot to relax. And the views along the trail of the surrounding mountains are stunning! After enjoying the short and sweet trail, you can explore the beautiful town of Frisco.

best summer activities in breckenridge

Loveland Pass Lake Trail

Length: 0.8 miles

Elevation Gain: minimal

Dog friendly: Yes

Loveland Pass is one of the most beautiful areas near Breckenridge, in my opinion. The views from the high mountain pass are unmatched! After you enjoy the views from the overlook, I recommend hiking the Loveland Pass Lake Trail.

The 0.8-mile trail is easy and offers beautiful views of two small lakes and the surrounding mountains. Although the lakes are pretty, the mountain views are the best part of the hike! Loveland Lake Pass Trail is a lesser-known hike near Breckenridge and will be much quieter than others on this list. Loveland Pass Lake is a great place to escape the crowds while enjoying breathtaking views!

Officers Gulch

Length: 1.1 miles

Elevation Gain: minimal

Dog friendly: Yes

Officers Gulch is another one of my favorite easy hikes near Breckenridge! The 1.1-mile trail is off I-70 just north of Copper Mountain and south of downtown Frisco and follows along the shores of Officers Gulch Pond.

Although the views along the entire trail are beautiful, I think the best are along the eastern shores. If you do not want to hike the whole loop, I recommend only exploring the eastern shores of Officers Gulch Pond to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. You will not be disappointed hiking this easy trail near Breckenridge!

Trollstigen Trail

Length: 0.25 miles

Elevation Gain: minimal

Dog friendly: Yes

One of the best easy hikes in Breckenridge is the Trollstigen Trail to the Breckenridge Troll (also known as the Isak Heartstone). This trail is a fun, family-friendly hike that the kids will love! The short loop begins south of downtown Breckenridge and brings you to a 15-foot-tall wooden troll. The Trollstigen Trail is short and easy, making it a fun trip when you visit Breckenridge!

If you want to visit Breckenridge, I recommend adding these beautiful and easy trails to your itinerary! This guide has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes near Breckenridge.