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Hiking trails & Routes
United States
Colorado
Boulder County
Eldorado Springs

Shadow Canyon, Fern Canyon, & Mesa Trail loop — Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United States
Colorado
Boulder County
Eldorado Springs

Shadow Canyon, Fern Canyon, & Mesa Trail loop — Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Expert

5.0

(1)

45

hikers

Shadow Canyon, Fern Canyon, & Mesa Trail loop — Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

06:04

15.8km

950m

Boulder canyon adventure through massive boulders and burn zones to 360-degree Continental Divide views.

The trail begins through open meadows where the Mesa Trail winds upward through grasslands with beautiful …

Last updated: October 3, 2025

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Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

921 m in total

Waypoints

A

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1

4.26 km

Shadow Canyon Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Shadow Canyon Trail is not for the faint of heart. Whether you are heading uphill or downhill, be prepared for rocks, roots, and formed steps nearly the entire way. There …

Tip by

2

6.51 km

South Boulder Peak

Highlight • Summit

The view of South Boulder Peak, despite the trees burned by recent forest fires is just exceptional. The mountain range is on one side and the Eldorado Canyon on the other. A real wonder.

Tip by

3

7.48 km

Bear Peak

Highlight • Summit

The trail leads you up the back side of the peak. From the last sign, head up and to the right - the left fork takes you back down into …

Tip by

4

8.05 km

Lookout Rock

Highlight • Viewpoint

Don't miss this great view near Nebel Horn

Tip by

5

8.13 km

Fern Canyon Trail ridgeline

Highlight • Viewpoint

The ridgeline portion of Fern Canyon Trail offers excellent views of Boulder and the surrounding mountains, but the part of Fern Canyon Trail below treeline is not for the faint …

Tip by

6

8.39 km

Nebel Horn Peak

Highlight • Summit

Trail closed from February through July for falcon nesting

Tip by

B

15.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

12.3 km

2.12 km

920 m

395 m

Surfaces

15.6 km

161 m

< 100 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Highest point (2,560 m)

Lowest point (1,710 m)

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Weather

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Friday 7 November

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
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Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

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