Buena Vista (pronounced BEW-na, or just BV to locals) and Breckenridge (or just Breck) are two Colorado mountain towns separated by a little more than an hour of stunning mountain scenery. An hour driving that is. While certainly not a short hike, you can walk from Breckenridge to BV via 115 miles of the Colorado Trail and some of the most scenic territory in the whole U.S. Fortunately for those of us not interested in dozens of miles trekking, there are stellar, short (1-5 mile) family friendly hikes in both Breckenridge and BV.
Best Short Hikes in Breckenridge
For the best hikes in Breckenridge you may not even need to drive from downtown.
1. Swan’s Nest Trailhead: be warned that it starts steep, but you’ll be rewarded for your climbing on the Colorado Trail with views of the Ten Mile Range rising high above Breckenridge.
2. Sawmill Trail: here you’ll be treated to a shady, relatively flat 1.5 mile hike with a roaring creek, lake, and within sight of the world famous ski area.
3. Trollstigen Trail: if you want to meet Isak Heartstone, a 15 foot tall troll (wooden of course) take this short walk. Isak is very photogenic.
For more ideas, consider the Top 5 Things to Do in Breckenridge in the Summer.
Best Short Hikes in BV
We may be biased, but the trails near The Adventure Company are some of the best trails in the area.
1. The Midland Trail: this is also a seldom used county road (CR 304) and the old railroad bed of the Midland Railroad that used to move people and freight through the Arkansas Valley. It’s still perfectly graded and easy to walk on – plus it offers incredible views of the Collegiate Peaks on the other side of the valley.
2. Bridge-to-Bridge trail: perfect for those who can’t get enough of the Arkansas River and want to hike within the roar of the river. For a 1.5 mile loop, start at either the Midland Hill bridge or River Park bridge and then cross and take the flatter, more mellow Arkansas River trail back, passing through the South Main area of Buena Vista.
3. Cottonwood Pass: when this seasonal road is open (around May-November) the pass offers world class views. Simply park at the top and walk along the Continental Divide a short distance in either direction on the Colorado Trail and feel what it’s like to be in the heart of the Sawatch Range and on top of the world.
For some public Hot Springs in the Buena Vista area, check out Mount Princeton Hot Springs or Cottonwood Hot Springs both just a short drive after your rafting adventure with The Adventure Company!
Read more about trails in the BV area and short hikes in Breck. If you want to be well-prepared, consider carrying the 10 essentials on your hike. Let us know which trail you chose! We’re always happy to give other suggestions or answer questions too, please feel free to reach out to us.
