4 Best Fall Hikes to do in Breckenridge, Colorado

This post is about the best fall hikes to do in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Breckenridge is an incredible mountain town offering stunning views year round paired with lots of fun things to do along with outdoor activities. Breck is one of the best towns in Colorado for fall foliage viewing for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of hiking opportunities.

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Best Time to Visit Breckenridge for Fall Foilage

Due to its high elevation, trees in Breck usually change color in mid-September. What better way to spend the first day of fall than doing some leaf peeping in Colorado?

Be sure to check out the lodging options below if you’re staying in the area for a while, and there are also tons of events and festivals around this time in Breckenridge. Go to this website to see what’s going on before your visit.

Lodging near Breckenridge, CO

Luxury Option

Crystal Peak Lodge

Crystal Peak Lodge is a beautiful resort located near Breckenridge Ski Resort. It has free wifi, a restaurant, a fitness center, a spa tub, and a sauna. The rooms are spacious and rustic with large windows and a classic lodge feel.

click here to book.

Standard Option

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Ranahan

The Hyatt at The Roanahan is a great way to have great amenities at a good price. There is a gym, spa tub, fitness center, two pools, and a bar/lounge, along with apartment stye rooms with full kitchens.

Click here to book.

Best Fall Hikes in Breckenridge, CO

Minnie Mine Loop

A popular area for a reason, Minnie Mine Loop is a 1.5-mile hike that is dog-friendly. It is full of rich history with moderate inclines but nothing crazy, it is an easy hike. There are several abandoned mine structures and mountain views. Compared to the other hikes on this list, this hike is less covered by aspen trees but offers more panoramic views of the Colorado mountain ranges.

Sallie Barber Mine Trail

Sallie Barber Trail is a 2.7-mile out-and-back trail that is dog friendly. This trail is typically less crowded than others and offers stunning mountain views and interesting mining structures. This is a great trail for seeing wildflowers, some waterfalls, and spectacular views of the color changing trees littering the mountain ranges. The trail is wide with a small stream running alongside.

“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.” – Chad Sugg

Pence Miller Trail

Pence Miller Trail is a short and sweet 1 mile hike featuring golden aspens in the fall with lots of shade; great on a hot day. The abundance of aspen trees are truly breathtaking in the autumn season! It is easy access from downtown and gives more of a unique perspective of Breck, filled with plants and wildflowers. Dogs are allowed on this trail and be prepared to see some wildlife.

Blue River Trail

This trail offers incredible scenic views of the Tenmile Range and is a popular spot among hikers, bikers and fishermen for its close proximity to Blue River. The trail boasts wildflower meadows, lots of shade, mountain views, and even wildlife viewing if you’re lucky. There are also old mines and views of Boreas Pass along the way.

There is limited parking so try to get there early and be sure not to park anywhere with no parking signs. It is an easy 3 mile out and back hike that is dog friendly. The closeness to Blue River is great for dogs who love to go for a swim to cool off during a hike!

Scenic Drives near Breckenridge, CO

French Gulch Road

The French Gulch area is the perfect place for history buffs. Along with the Minnie Mine Loop and Sallie Barber Mine Trail, French Gulch Road itself is an incredibly scenic route for fall foliage viewing. Located east of downtown Breckenridge, this is a graded dirt road accessible by most vehicles during the summer and early fall and passes by several historic mining sites like Country Boy Mine that is even open for tours.

Boreas Pass Road

Boreas Pass is a scenic drive that reaches an elevation of over 11,000 feet running from Como to Breckenridge. There are several trailheads along this 22-mile road but some people choose to hike the road or bike. Either is a great way to experience the fall colors changing on the beautiful aspen groves. While this may not be technically a trail itself, its still worth considering for the incredible views.

In addition to gorgeous views of the mountains and trees, there is tons of history to see on this route. The road was established in the 1860s and was originally named Breckenridge Pass. Created to access gold mines, the route ran until 1937 and turned into an auto road in 1952. Section House is located at the top of the Continental Divide on Boreas Pass; originally built to house railroad men, the home was left to ruin in the 1930s but later picked up and restored by the National Park Service in 1993. Typically used by backcountry hikers, you can book a stay in this little lodge with a wood-burning oven, solar-operated lights, and stocked cooking and eating utensils.

Conclusion

That concludes our list of some of the best fall hikes in Breckenridge, Colorado. Autumn is the perfect time to visit Colorado for comfortable temperatures and beautifully colored thick aspen groves. There is no better time to visit Breckenridge than the fall season. So lace up your hiking boots and go see some great views!

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