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A hiker enjoying Black Powder Pass near Breckenridge, Colorado.

The Ultimate Breckenridge Hiking Guide

May 8, 2023/0 Comments/in Breckenridge Hiking/by Cody Mendoza

Want to go hiking in Breckenridge? Look no further! This is the Best of Breckenridge’s top trails in and around Breckenridge. Make sure to always be prepared and use this as a guide and jumping-off point to start your adventure.

Easy Trails:

Blue River Trail: A 3 mile out-and-back trail with minimal elevation gain, easy difficulty. The trailhead is located at Breckenridge Nordic Center with ample parking available.
Burro Trail: A 6-mile out-and-back trail with 915 ft of elevation gain, considered easy to moderate difficulty. The trailhead is located at the base of Peak 9 with plenty of parking available.
Sawmill Resevoir: A 1.3 mile out-and-back trail with minimal elevation gain. a popular trail which takes you up and around a reservoir and is great for snowshoeing in the winter months. The trailhead is located at the end of Sawmill Road with limited parking available.
Iowa Hill Trail: A 1.5-mile out-and-back trail with minimal elevation gain. The trail hosted remains of Breckenridge’s mining history from old cabins, sluice boxes, and the telltale signs of the use of hydraulics to extract the valuable gold that was found on this hill. This informative trail is perfect for a family stroll as it has informational signs and benches throughout. The trailhead is located on Airport Road across from the Breckenridge Terrace.

Moderate Trails:

Black Powder Pass: A 3.4 mile trail with 1,000ft of elevation gain. Begin by hiking through wooded areas before emerging above tree line with breathtaking views. The Summit of this hike takes you above 12,000ft above sea level so make sure that you are prepared with plenty of water and sunscreen.
Spruce Creek Trail: A 4.3 mile loop trail with moderate elevation gain, easy to moderate difficulty This trail . The trail begins with a steady incline under tree cover and a ends with a rocky decline. You can enjoy the babbling sounds of the creek while you hike and take in the distant mountain views on this Best of Breck favorite. The trailhead is located off of Spruce Creek Road with limited parking available.
Baker’s Tank Trail: A 2.5-mile out-and-back trail with moderate elevation gain, easy to moderate difficulty. The trailhead is located off of Boreas Pass Road with limited parking available. While you can hike this trail, it is more of a mountain biking trail so be aware for bikers and maintain proper trail etiquette (step to the side until the whole group passes).
McCullough Gulch Trail: A 6.4 mile out-and-back trail with 1,600ft of elevation gain that is surrounded by stunning rock faces. Beautiful lakes await those who can make it to the top, The trailhead is located off of County Road 851 with limited parking available. The road to the trailhead closes seasonally over the winter and fall, so if you are planning to hike this trail during that time plan to add on an additional 1.5 miles.

Difficult Trails:

These trails should be approached with planning and caution. Being in good physical shape is a must for these longer hies which often get close to and above 13,000 ft above sea level (with one of the hikes on this list reaching 14,000 ft!).

Crystal Lake Trail: A 9.5-mile out-and-back trail with over 2500ft of elevation gain, and a rewarding alpine lake view (or dip) at the top. The trailhead is located off of County Road 850 with limited parking available.
Mineral Hill Trail: A 4.7 mile out-and-back trail with significant elevation gain, difficult difficulty. The trailhead is located off of Boreas Pass Road with limited parking available.
Quandary Peak Trail: This is a Breckenridge and Colorado classic. This “14er” is one of 52 peaks in the state which reach above 14,000ft above sea level. A 6.75 mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 3,326 vertical feet. This trail is one of the most popular peaks for hikers to climb and as such, parking at the trailhead can be limited a
nd fills up quickly, especially during peak hiking season. Additionally, the trailhead is located at the end of a narrow, bumpy dirt road, which can be challenging to navigate, especially for those without a high-clearance vehicle.Quandry Parking & Shuttle Info
To help alleviate parking congestion and reduce traffic on the narrow road, there is a shuttle service available during peak season (typically from mid-June to mid-September) that provides transportation to and from the trailhead. The Quandary Peak Shuttle is a convenient and affordable way to access the trailhead without having to worry about finding parking or navigating the dirt road.
The shuttle runs every day from 6:30am to 5:30pm and picks up hikers at the Breckenridge Station transit center. The round-trip fare is $15 per person, and reservations are strongly recommended. You can make a reservation online or by calling the shuttle service directly.

Each of these trails offers unique scenery and challenges for hikers of all skill levels. The Mineral Hill Trail, for example, winds through dense forests before reaching a summit with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Meanwhile, the Quandary Peak Trail leads to one of Colorado’s most popular 14ers, which offers stunning views from the summit.

Remember to always check trail conditions before heading out and prepare for your hike accordingly by bringing water, snacks, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing and gear. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect hike in Breckenridge.

The views don’t have to stop when you’ve finished your hike! Reward yourself with a refreshing brew: Top 10 Brews with the Best Views.

A Day at The Marina

July 8, 2022/in Breckenridge Summer Activities/by Sammy Mazza

Looking to spend some time on the water or bask in the mountain sun during your mountain getaway? From boat rentals to stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals, there are an abundance of activities that will keep the entire family entertained.

Electric Biking in Breckenridge

June 30, 2022/in Breckenridge Summer Activities/by Laurel Coffman

If you’d like to get around Breckenridge and Summit County on two wheels but need a little assistance, give electric biking a try. This mode of transportation has quickly gained popularity and is an eco-friendly way to sightsee in the high country. Come take a ride with us and see what it’s all about!

What is an Electric Bike?

An electric bicycle, commonly known as an e-bike, is a bike that is equipped with an electric motor that gives you a boost while you’re pedaling. You still have traditional bike gears, but you can opt to add a little juice whenever you need some assistance. While climbing hills at 9,600’ we can tell you we appreciated the extra help!

How Does it Work?

Before you get going, you’ll turn on a power switch and a display panel. The display panel is conveniently located on the handlebars and shows you your speed, charge level and pedal assist level. On the left handlebar you can control your pedal assist level, while on the right handlebar you have your traditional gears.

The pedal assist levels of zero to five correlate with how much power you are relying on from the motor compared to your pedaling. At zero, you receive no power; while at level five you receive maximum power and need to do little to no pedaling. The higher level of power you use, the more of the battery charge you will use.

Fun fact: With pedal assist, bikes can go up to 20 miles per hour and a charged bike can last up to 45 miles per trip on average!

Where We Rented From

We rented our e-bike cruisers from Craniologie right on Main Street in Breckenridge. Craniologie rents Class 1 e-bikes with pedal assist, which are the only type of e-bike permitted on the Rec Path. We opted for a half-day rental so we would have just enough time for leisurely riding and stopping for lunch at Lake Dillon. The rental included bike locks and helmets and the staff were helpful with explaining features and safety before we were on our way.

Rental Options & Pricing

Bix Sol Eclipse: Classic Cruiser Style

Half Day: $59
Full Day: $79
24 Hours: $99

Blix Packa Genie: Cargo Bike with Bike Rack

Half Day: $69
Full Day: $89
24 Hours: $109

Optional Child Trailer Add-On: $30

Tips Before You Go

E-Bike Etiquette

The most popular option for e-biking around Breckenridge is taking the Blue River Recreation Path, better known as the Rec Path. This paved path can take you from Breckenridge to Frisco, Dillon, Copper and Keystone!

The Rec Path is a popular place for walkers, joggers and bikers alike, which means you’ll be passing a lot of people along the way. Always let people know when you are approaching or passing with something as simple as, “On your left,” and make sure to slow it down. If you are e-biking with a group, be sure to ride single file when passing others and be aware of your surroundings so you do not take up too much space.

What to Bring

Our e-bike rentals only had a small pouch on the front, so bringing a small backpack was the best option to hold our belongings. In your bag, don’t forget to pack water and sunscreen. The sun is strong in Summit County and even if you aren’t pedaling as hard, you’ll still need to hydrate!

Our Half-Day Itinerary

11 a.m.: First, we picked up our rentals at Craniologie and hopped onto the Rec Path, conveniently located right behind the shop. We took our time getting used to the bikes and taking in the mountain views while enjoying our ride along the Blue River. Once we passed Summit High School, we stayed to the right and took the underpass so we could enjoy scenic views of Lake Dillon (highly recommended!). From there, it was only a short jaunt to the Frisco Bay Marina.

12 p.m.: Since we had an hour of hard work (only kidding), we decided to stop for lunch and beverages at Island Grill at Frisco Bay Marina. It was a perfect sunny day and our combination of grilled fish tacos and frozen cocktails really made us feel like we were on island time.

1:15 p.m.: After our pit stop, we reapplied sunscreen, powered up our bikes and hopped back on the path to Breckenridge. Since we were familiarized with the bikes, we sped up our pedal assist to level five and cruised. The way back to Breckenridge is slightly uphill the whole way so it was a treat to have the help pedaling!

2 p.m.: As we approached the town limits of Breckenridge, we still had an hour of rental time left so we decided to make a pit stop at Broken Compass Brewing on Airport Road. Broken Compass is a local staple, with a welcoming tap room and a wide selection of beers. We enjoyed our brews outside under sun shade sails before hopping back on the bikes.

3 p.m.: It was only a 10-minute pedal from Broken Compass back to Craniologie were we returned our bikes and headed on our merry way.

In total, the ride was about 20 miles (10 miles each way), and we had a great time! Admittedly, it’s been hard going back to regular old biking, and we think we’ll be adding e-bikes to our wish lists.

The Ultimate Guide to Mountain Biking Breckenridge

June 17, 2022/in Breckenridge Biking/by Laurel Coffman

With over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails, first time riders and seasoned experts alike can enjoy the high alpine on two wheels.

Family Guide to Summer in Breckenridge

June 1, 2022/in Breckenridge Summer Activities/by Laurel Coffman

If you’re looking for a family-friendly summer vacation destination, look no further. Breckenridge is a summer paradise with mild temperatures, blue skies, high alpine lakes and stunning mountain vistas.

Farmer’s Markets in Summit County

May 12, 2022/in Breckenridge Activities/by Laurel Coffman

We love supporting local in Summit County and there’s no better way to do it than heading to a farmer’s market! Farmer’s markets in Summit County are one of a kind–think expansive mountain views, blue skies, live music and endless vendors. There’s nothing quite like buying fresh Palisade peaches or picking up new jewelry from a local artist. Read on to see where you can shop this summer!

Breckenridge Sunday Market

Every Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | June 12-September 4, 2022

The Breckenridge Sunday Market brings a whole new meaning to Sunday Funday. The location is right off of Main Street in downtown Breckenridge’s Main Street Plaza, so it makes stopping by a no-brainer. Enjoy views of Peak 9 and Maggie Pond while you peruse through a selection of local, handmade, Colorado goods.

Dillon Farmer’s Market

Every Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | June 10-September 2, 2022

The Dillon Farmer’s Market sits idyllically along the shores of Dillon Reservoir, providing stunning 360 mountain and water views. Enjoy live music while you shop Colorado produce, fresh baked goods, food stands and local vendors. Did we mention you can get a workout in too? Bhava Yoga offers lakeside yoga from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Friday on Point Dillon!

Uncle John’s Farm Stand

Everyday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Mid-June-End of October

If you can’t make it to the farmer’s markets in Summit County, stop by Uncle John’s Farm Stand for farm fresh produce from Palisade, Colorado. There are two locations in Frisco and Silverthorne where they offer organically grown seasonal produce, homemade preserves and salsas, plus natural grass-fed Highlands beef.

Looking for more fun events to attend? See what summer events are back in Breckenridge this year!

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