Centennial State residents are notorious for our love affair with Type II fun. We hike 14,000-foot peaks, endure 20-mile trails, and take part in other activities wherein the actual endeavor is a total sufferfest but which we’re then able to talk about (ahem, brag about) over craft suds and much-deserved nachos at the local microbrewery. That’s great—for us. For our relatives visiting from Florida or best friend in town from Ohio, it’s, uh, less great. And by less great, we mean someone might end up in the ER.
We’re here to help with hikes that will allow you to show out-of-towners the beauty of Colorado on trails that won’t leave them wheezing—or at least not too much. All eight options, located within a 90-minute drive from Denver, are relatively short, feature mild elevation gains (mostly), and still have a standout element (often more than one) that should work its way onto your pal’s Instagram recap. So lend your hiking partner a backpack (or swing by a local retailer so they can snag a functional souvenir) and get out there (if possible, after they’ve had a day or two to acclimate).
Before you go: Always remember to check the weather, carry plenty of water along with the rest of your 10 essentials, and wear the appropriate apparel. Local rangers advise downloading the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app, which includes trail maps and trail closures, ahead of your hike…