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.
Very strenuous trail but still enjoyable.
flatlander perspective: this is a hard path. hiked counter-clockwise as advised. by mid-day even the gradual climbs were killing us. incredible scenery, worth the trip, but if you're not from Colorado be sure to bring an extra water and fuel bars.
I decided to go in this trail based on reviews I read. The trail didn’t disappoint! It was an awesome hike, would highly recommend.
Love this sweet loop bordered by water and wildflowers. A new favorite since the Mesa trail is closed for repairs this summer.
This is my new favorite hike. It has good distance without being too long. I have done this trail both ways, and I do think it's a little harder going clockwise but both ways are nice. I like that it connects with Eldorado Canyon, and plan to hike in from there next time. Lots of diversity in the scenery but go early, like all hikes near Boulder it gets crowded.