Best Winter Hikes in Breckenridge

Best Winter Hikes in Breckenridge

Snowshoeing is the perfect way to explore Breckenridge’s hundreds of miles of trails.

Winter hiking on Breckenridge’s hundreds of miles of trails is like wandering through a winter wonderland. Whether you’re using snowshoes, Nordic skis or just winter boots, there’s nothing like getting out into nature and experiencing the crisp, clean air and pillowy snow that makes winter so magical.  With the right gear and a good sense of which trails to choose, winter hiking is perfect for all ages and fitness levels. It’s also a great way to explore the backcountry, (hopefully) see some wildlife, and stretch your legs after a couple days on the slopes!

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View White River National Forest Trail Details

Best Winter Hikes for History Lovers

Gold rush relics and expansive 10,000-foot Ten Mile Range views await at Sallie Barber Mine.

Sallie Barber Mine

This is a great, beginner level, out and back winter hike with spectacular views of town, leading to a beautiful old mining site that sits above Breckenridge. The old mining road gently climbs 1.4 miles up to a stunning view of the Sallie Barber mine and Keystone in the distance. This trail is very well traveled in the winter and sees heavy use, so you can expect a packed trail during the winter months. This is a great hike for the whole family. Bring your dog along, too!

• Get there: Four miles east of Breckenridge on French Gulch Road. The trailhead rests on a dead-end road with an ample parking lot.

Iowa Hill

History is truly all around you at Iowa Hill. From the exposed mountainsides to the sluice boxes and giant nozzles dotting the trail, this 1.5-mile hike heads through what used to be an active hydraulic mine site. As you wind your way along the trail and past our interpretive signs, you make the journey to a restored boarding house where miners lived. After exploring the boardinghouse, you’ll have earned your lunch on top of the hill before taking the burro trail back down.

• Get There: Just a short drive or walk off of the west side of Airport Road. There is  limited parking near the trailhead, so opt to park further away or consider carpooling.

French Gulch Trail System

Minnie Mine, B&B and Reiling Dredge trails are all connected through the French Gulch trail system. Take Wellington Road past the Country Boy Mine, and you’ll see various trailheads that allow for out and back or longer loop hikes. Travel on foot or by snowshoe on the Minnie Mine trail for a glimpse of the past as you weave through mining structures from the early days of Breckenridge. Make it a loop by adding the X10U8 and B&B trails to circle back to the Reiling Dredge historical site.

• Get There: Continue onto the dirt road past Wellington neighborhood and Country Boy Mine. Parking at B&B and Minnie Mine trailheads is limited, so opt to carpool or take the free bus (purple route).

Best Winter Hikes For Car-Free Ease

Isak Heartstone only welcomes visitors who will love his home like he does and leave no trace on his surroundings.

Illinois Creek & Trollstigen Trail

The Illinois Creek Trailhead provides access to several beautiful forest-hikes that are accessible right from the town of Breckenridge. Along the way, you can say “hello!” to our local troll, Isak Heartstone! This trail is widely used, so the snow is almost always packed, however it is not maintained for wheelchair usage.

• Get There: Isak Heartstone lives on the newly constructed Trollstigen trailhead located in the southeast corner of the Ice Rink Lot by the Illinois Gulch trailhead. It is an easy walk, bike, or free public transportation ride to visit him from downtown. There is no troll parking at the trailhead.

Carter Park

Carter Park is a gateway to an incredibly vast trail system that can lead you all over Breckenridge. This is a great location to start a hike of any distance, and has some great views along the way! From the park, you can access the Barney Ford and Moonstone Trails, and even link all of this back with the Sallie Barber Mine trail. You can weave in and out of the beautiful neighborhoods of Breckenridge, or head away from civilization and have the snowy trails all to yourself.
The main climb out of Carter Park is lung-busting at first, but at the top of the short climb you are treated with amazing views of the town. Relatively flat trails await the rest of this winter hike, but don’t forget that you’re at a higher altitude, so you’ll still feel its effects. Due to steepness, Micro-Spikes or other brands of traction control for your boots are recommended. Make sure to get a map of the area, as there are a lot of trail intersections.

• Get There: Access Carter Park by heading south on High Street. Pick up the Carter Park Trailhead on the north side (near side) of the tennis courts. Parking is limited, so opt to carpool, walk or take the bus.

Pence Miller Trail

Get your nature fix right in town. Pence Miller is a historic flume trail connecting town to the Peaks Trail. Head uphill through pines and aspen groves taking in wonderful views of the town of Breckenridge and Baldy Mountain. Continue to Cucumber Gulch Nature Preserve for unobstructed views of Breckenridge Ski Resort. Keep an eye out for Moose in the wetlands underneath the gondola and soak in the mountain views.

• Get There: Start at the Town Overlook parking area on Ski Hill Road. Carefully cross the road and head east on the Shock Hill Trail under the gondola. Zigzag your way down to the Pence Miller Ditch and go left (north).

Blue River Rec Path

Cruise on cross-country skis, fat bike or by foot on the Blue River rec path from Breckenridge to Frisco. Enjoy maintained Nordic ski tracks in the winter, plus beer lovers can make it a brewery tour with stops at Breckenridge Brew Pub, and Broken Compass Brewery (be sure to swing into the world’s highest distillery, too!).

• Get There: The trail starts just North of the gondola and runs along the Blue River all the way to Frisco and beyond.

Best Winter Hikes For the Whole Family

Peaks Trail

At the top of Ski Hill Road lies a nice and easy winter hike in Breckenridge. Peaks Trail is an incredible out-and-back hike with minimal elevation gain that weaves in and out of the beautiful lodge pole pine forest at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort. Like many of the others, this trail sees heavy usage and stays in great shape for a nice winter stroll. Go as far as you choose, get some great views, spend some quality time in the forest, and turn around and head back whenever you want.

• Get There: Head to the top of Ski Hill Road toward the Breckenridge Ski Area Peak 8. Just past the Peak 8 base area turn right and go past Grand Timber Lodge. The trailhead will be on your left.

Gold Hill

Gold Hill is an easy access, out and back six-mile trail that links up with the Peaks Trail connecting Breckenridge to Frisco. Packed-down and stunning in the winter, this easy uphill is a family go-to. The first segment of Gold Hill gradually climbs up and away from the hum of the highway, opening to incredible head-swiveling views of the Ten Mile Range. Waterproof hiking or snow boots easily maneuver through hills of baby pine, clear cuts and open meadows with rewarding views of Breckenridge and far-off Lake Dillon. Gold Hill is also a part of the famous Colorado Trail, which travels 500 miles from Denver to Durango.

• Get There: Four miles north of Breckenridge on Highway 9. An ample parking lot sits at the trailhead, visible from the highway, as well as a bus stop across the street.

Best Winter Hikes for Solitude

There are hundreds of miles of Nordic trails to explore in the winter.

Spruce Creek

This four-mile loop offers loads of options for extended hikes and branch-offs. Perfect for groups with plenty of endurance and lung-power, the trail begins at 10,164 feet along a packed-down, locally loved service road and steadily climbs through old pine and spruce flanked by deep winter snow. You may want to pack along snowshoes for some sections. Trek through lodgepole pine and aspen stands, soaking in long-range mountain views, including Mount Helen to the north, eventually intersecting with the Mayflower Lakes, Upper Spruce Creek and Lower Mohawk trails. At points, you’ll have this snowy sanctuary all to yourself. And then, you’ll meet neighbors, dogs and backcountry skiers making their way back to the parking area.

• Get there: Four miles south of Breckenridge on Highway 9. Turn right on Spruce Creek Road at “The Crown” sign and keep following trailhead signs. The large parking area can get busy on weekends. Arrive early or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds.

Pennsylvania Gulch

Head to this less-traveled trail for peaceful snow-globe hiking and a solid workout in the woods. Locals favor the tucked-away dog-friendly hike for its abundant snow and postcard valley views of Peak 10, Pacific Peak and Crystal Peak. The six-mile out-and-back path winds along Pennsylvania Creek, beginning with a gradual incline in the trees and opening up to a wide snow-loaded meadow with brush and red rocks poking out. Elevations range from 10,400 to 11,105 feet and snowshoes come in handy in some of the deeper sections.

• Get there: Five miles south of Breckenridge off of Highway 9 in Blue River. Trailhead parking is limited; you’ll want to carpool if possible.

Breckenridge Winter Hiking Tips

Br sure to dress in layers- abundant sunshine can turn to snowfall in a matter of minutes.

Choosing the Right Gear for Winter Hiking

To make your winter hiking experience in Breckenridge safe and enjoyable, there are a few pieces of gear that you’ll want to have:

Winter Boots

If you’re snowshoeing, happy feet means a happy person at the end of the day. The boots that you choose could make or break your experience on the trails. Choose a waterproof boot with some insulation to keep your feet warm and dry. If you’re Nordic/cross-country skiing, you’ll need specific ski boots- don’t worry, both Nordic centers have boots available to rent, along with skis and other gear.

Layers, Layers, Layers!

With the dry, arid climate that Breckenridge has, and the rapid weather changes that can occur, you must be prepared for any sort of temperature or weather conditions. Wear several layers made of fabric that breathes and dries quickly; cotton is not a good idea as it doesn’t dry well. It’s always better to have more layers than you need as it’s easier to take them off than find additional layers. It’s also smart to pack an extra pair of gloves, a spare hat, and some dry socks to cover all of your bases while you are hiking the amazing trails that Breckenridge has to offer.

• Breckenridge Winter Layering Guide

Yaktrax or Micro-spikes

The trails around Breckenridge see a lot of use during winter, making them hard-packed and slick. If you’re not on snowshoes or skis, traction on your boots makes your winter hiking experience a lot safer and easier. Specialty outdoor shops like Mountain Outfitters in Breckenridge sell these kinds of traction systems for your hiking boots, which will make hiking these packed trails seem effortless.

Plenty of food and water

Always make sure to pack plenty of snacks and water for your journey to stay well hydrated and maintain your energy. It’s very important while you’re out on the trails winter hiking in Breckenridge, especially at 9,600 feet.

Sun Protection

Truth be told, we have more days of sunshine than San Diego and we are closer to the sun due to our high elevation. Be sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and protective clothing like hats and extra layers or you can always buy them once you get here.

Leave No Trace

Protecting what we love is more important than ever when heading outdoors. Be sure to pack it in, pack it out all the way to a trash can, leave what you find (like wildflowers and artifacts), and always be respectful of others while on the trail.

You can help us preserve and protect what we love by following Leave No Trace principles during your visit:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare – Pack the essentials and know the area before you go
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces –
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife – Don’t feed, surround or approach our true locals
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Looking for more winter activities in Breckenridge? Check out the Non-Skier’s Guide to Winter in Breckenridge!