Looking for the best hikes near Georgetown CO?
Georgetown, a charming town in Colorado, is renowned for its exceptional hiking trails.
Located high up in the Rocky Mountains, the town’s surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for an energizing hike.
Trails here range from easy walks to challenging climbs, most of them have incredible views of Colorado’s awe-inspiring nature.
With stunning views of mountains, forests, and meadows, these hikes are a great way to soak in the sunshine and get some fresh mountain air.
Here are the best Georgetown hikes to head out on for a breath of fresh air this summer.
Wondering apart from hiking, what is there to do in Georgetown Colorado? Read our post on 17 Best Things to do in Georgetown, Colorado now.
Best Hiking Trails in Georgetown, CO
Georgetown CO hikes provide challenging terrains and exceptional views.
Ascend Mount Bierstadt for 14,000-foot panoramas, or traverse the Silver Dale Historic Trail to glimpse mining history.
The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway brings alpine lakes and wildflower meadows into sharp focus.
Expect plenty of trailheads, diverse ecosystems, elevation gains, and clear trail markings.
The nearby areas are a top choice for dedicated hikers.
Here are our favorite hikes near Georgetown and Silver Plume area along the I-70 corridor.
Tom Bennhoff Lake Trail
Tom Bennhoff Lake Trail in the Front Range is one of our favorite hikes around Georgetown CO.
This trail is named after former Georgetown mayor, Tom Bennhoff.
It is located in Clear Creek County Open Space park.
The trail forms a 2 mile long loop around the pretty and serene Lake Georgetown Lake.
This hike is perfect for those new to hiking or looking for a relaxed stroll.
It is good for small kids or even for parents with baby strollers in tow.
Bring your picnic basket, fishing gear, and camera as the lake is known to be full of trout.
Mount Bierstadt
Georgetown, Colorado has some of the best hikes in the Front Range and Mount Bierstadt is its popular gem.
The Mount Bierstadt Trail climbs to the summit of Mount Bierstadt, standing tall at 14,065 feet.
The trailhead starts at an elevation of 11,669 feet at the Guanella Pass.
The trail spans approximately 7 miles round trip and is a popular choice for both locals and visitors.
What to expect?
The trail begins with a moderate incline through a landscape of alpine beauty.
The ascent becomes steeper as you near the summit, with the last mile requiring some scrambling over large rocks.
As you make your way to the top, you’ll encounter sections of switchbacks, and you may even come across local wildlife, such as marmots and mountain goats.
At the summit, you’ll be treated to stunning 360-degree beautiful views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Ensure to come prepared for the round trip, with ample food, water, and appropriate hiking gear including trekking poles.
The high altitude can be challenging for some, and the weather can change rapidly, so it’s advised to check local forecasts before heading out.
Also Read: 30 Best Hiking Trails in Colorado
Silver Dollar Lake Trail
Silver Dollar Lake Trail is one of our favorite trails in Clear Creek County.
It is famous for its 3 lakes as well as stunning alpine scenery of the Arapaho National Forest.
The journey starts from the Naylor Lake private property line, and the well-marked path leads you towards three lakes.
The first one you will encounter is Naylor Lake, followed by Silver Dollar Lake, and finally, the less-visited yet equally beautiful, Murray Lake.
In terms of scenery, expect to witness alpine flowers, spruce and fir trees, and the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
This trail stretches for about 4 miles round trip all the way to Murray Lake and is generally considered moderate in difficulty.
Be prepared for some exertion, as the trail does have a 1000 feet elevation gain.
However, the stunning vistas make the physical effort worthwhile.
The trailhead is located on Silver Dollar Lake road, a dirt road that can be reached via the Guanella Pass Road.
You’ll need to have a 4WD or high clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead.
The trail is best used from June until October.
Silver Plume to Georgetown Express Trail
This hiking trail connects the historic districts of Silver Plume and Georgetown.
The trails is part of Clear Creek Greenway system.
The trail runs along the Clear Creek river and takes you on a journey of historical discovery.
You’ll hike through the remnants of mining areas, historic buildings, and even encounter an old railroad trestle bridge.
The trail is mostly flat and suitable for all skill levels.
At 1.6 miles one way, this trail makes for a great afternoon or evening stroll with family or friends.
You can park your car in the Georgetown Loop Railroad paved parking lot to access this trailhead.
You can also return one way on the vintage train – making it the best hike for families with kids in Georgetown, CO.
Griffin Memorial Trail
The Griffin Memorial Trail, named in honor of Clifford Griffin, is an often overlooked hike in Georgetown, Colorado.
It leads you to Griffin Monument and 7:30 Mine in Silver Plume.
Clifford Griffin, a former miner from New York, came to Georgetown during the silver mining boom and bought the 7:30 Mine, which was named so due to the miners’ early morning start time.
The trail begins at the Silver Plume trailhead, near historic main street and ends at the stone monument in Silver Street.
You can continue beyond to the mine shafts and other remains.
The 3.8 mile round trip trail leads you to the monument dedicated to Griffin’s memory, offers an interesting slice of local history, as well as breathtaking views of Clear Creek County.
The trail is moderately difficult due to its elevation gain.
Hells Hole Hike
Hells Hole Hike is located in the expansive Mt Evans Wilderness Area.
This trail spans approximately 8.3 miles round trip and is rated as moderate in difficulty.
The trail takes hikers through dense spruce forests and large meadows, leading to an amphitheater-like basin at the end of the route.
Along the trail, expect to see stunning alpine flowers, and potentially local wildlife like mountain goats and bald eagles.
Remnants of winter snow can typically be seen in the basin well into the summer months.
The trailhead is accessible from Clear Creek County Road 103 near Idaho Springs.
It’s advised to bring along ample food and water for the round trip.
The trail is best used from June through October.
Be aware, the high altitude could be challenging for some, and weather conditions can change rapidly in this area, so always check local forecasts before heading out.
Square Top Mountain Trail
Not up to hiking Mt. Bierstadt?
Square Top Mountain, a 13er located within the Pike National Forest, is another great hike.
The Square Top Mountain Trail is an almost 7 miles long trail that leads hikers to the summit of Square Top Mountain.
It is moderate to difficult due to its steady ascent and a total elevation gain of about 2,100 feet.
The well-marked path extends through a diverse landscape including sub-alpine terrain, expansive meadows, and ends at the rocky mountain peak.
Along the way, you can enjoy stunning views of the Front Range, including the nearby Grays Peak and Torreys Peak.
A highlight of the trail is the Square Top Lakes, which are two small alpine bodies of water located approximately halfway up the mountain.
These lakes make for an excellent resting point, with their clear blue waters providing a refreshing contrast to the surrounding grassy fields and mountainous terrain.
The trail is best from June until October, and keep dogs if any on leash.
The weather on the mountain changes rapidly, so check local forecasts and come prepared.
Also Read: 18 Most Famous Mountain Peaks in Colorado
Chicago Lakes Trail via Echo Lakes
Chicago Lakes Trail is one of the top trails around Georgetown, Colorado.
It is located in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area near Idaho Springs.
The trail is about 9 miles to 10 miles out and back, depending on how much farther you go to the Upper Lake.
It promises incredible views of the Rocky Mountain peaks, wildlife sighting including the elusive bighorn sheep herd in Georgetown, and plenty of wildflowers in summer.
The trail begins at the Echo Lake Trailhead near Echo Lake Lodge; you will find plenty of parking areas here.
The trail follows the western shores of Echo Lake and leads to the lower lake.
Along the way, you will even see the Idaho Springs Reservoir.
From the first Chicago Lake, you can follow the steep and rocky trail to the second Upper Chicago Lake.
This glacier lake is located at the base of Mt. Evans and looks spectacular.
The trail has total elevation gain of about 2200 feet and takes about 8 to 9 hours for the round trip.
From here, you can have a snack and head back or continue further to Summit Lake for steep 2.4 miles.
Here you can head out via the upper trailhead at Summit Lake, if the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway is open.
You can even park a second car for car shuttling at the upper parking lot for one-way hike.
Because of its difficulty, the trail is recommended only for experienced hikers.
Silverdale Heritage Trail
Silverdale (or Silver Dale), Colorado is a mining ghost town in the mountains high above Georgetown, Colorado.
The Silverdale Heritage Trail, also known as Silverdale Historic Trail, is a great way to explore the ghost town and its mining relics.
On the trail, you can see the graffitied concrete remains of the 1920s Colorado Central Mill that processed silver found in the area.
Wondering how to access this trail? It’s a bit tricky as the trail is not clearly marked and you can get lost.
The trailhead as well as parking lot is located on the Guanella Pass Road.
From the trailhead follow the Sporting Times trail across a footbridge over Clear Creek.
Then continue along the Railbed Trail to reach the ghost town.
This hike is simply stunning in fall when the surrounding aspens turn yellow gold.
Rutherford Trail
Would you rather skip Guanella Pass Road but still see Silverdale?
The Rutherford Trail connects Georgetown to Silver Dale Historic District and Interpretative Park in Guanella Pass.
The trailhead begins at 3rd street and goes all the way up the mountains to the abandoned mining town.
From here you can take either Railbed Trail or Sporting Times Trail to explore the mining relics of the town that was once as prolific as Central City.
This 2 mile long trail is also popular for mountain biking.
What are your favorite hikes in Georgetown CO?
Which Georgetown Colorado hikes are you planning to venture on when the weather gets warmer?
Let us know below in the comments.
Psst.. Looking for San Gabriel River Trail, Randy Morrow Trail, Blue Hole Park, and Cedar Breaks Park hiking trails in Georgetown, Texas instead of Colorado?
Check out this post on 13 Best Georgetown, Texas outdoor activities on our sister website Enchanting Texas.