Walker Ranch Loop Trail is a 7.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
birding
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
trail running
walking
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
Walker Ranch is a fantastic loop, that can be taken both clockwise and counter. Going counter clockwise starts you off on a fantastic downhill, just be careful for walkers & dogs. Once at the bottom, you will start a moderate but tiring climb that eventually opens up at the top into an area with a parking lot, which is where the real fun starts! From this point you will experience what some would argue is 2 miles of the best downhill you will ever ride. This is followed by a short portage down some very steep steps, followed by another moderate climb back to the trail head. If you still need more, just turn around and start again, going the opposite direction, because by now you know the climb you did through the forest at the end of the ride back is gonna be some great downhill.
This is more of an easy nature walk, by no means strenuous. Gradual hills, pretty scenery. I was disappointed due to lack of difficulty so rated less but it's scenic and pleasant. Should be rated easy or very low moderate though. I went clockwise, took about 2 hrs.
My map my run app had this closer to 9.2 miles from the Ethel Harrold trailhead. Fun and a little challenging hike. Pretty good views as well
Beautiful scenery at every stage of this trail. I hiked counterclockwise. Mile one was down hill with Mile two being a good ascent. Three and Four were breathtaking and rigorous. The stairs in mile five were a beautiful decent to the river bed. Climbing it was tough but perseverance and a steady pace pays off. Bring plenty of water.
First time Colorado hiker. Flat lander, 54 years old.
I did it counter clockwise as suggested. With a few wrong turns, I was over 8 miles in 4:44.44 on s sunny 88 degree day.
Bring more water. I ran out half way.
Bring treking poles. Those hills, old knees, and the 500' staircase require them.
Also hard bottom hiking shoes, not soft tennis. There are lots of rocks.
That said... if you are in good health, the weather is good, by all means do this trail.