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Mount Sanitas
Hiking Trail
Hard
3.06 mi
1,285 ft
A quintessential Boulder hiking route.
To begin this iconic urban summit loop, cross the paved road from the trailhead to the picnic shelter, and look for the signed Ridge Trail. Here, the route launches 1,350 feet upward via many, many log and rock steps to the 6,483-foot summit of Boulder's Mt. Sanitas. Despite the huge number of people hiking or running up this local favorite, the 3.4-mile loop route is well worth hitting up when visiting Boulder, CO. The hike is located just at the edge of the city, making it easy to get to even during an extended lunch break. The immediacy of the steep, relentless steps makes it quite understandable to stop on the way up to drink in the views. A wonderful opportunity exists about halfway up; expansive views of Boulder lie below. On a clear day, look for the mountains in the Front Range and maybe even Denver's skyscrapers. If so inclined, it is possible to scramble just a tad higher on the rocks before continuing the hike. After gaining more than 1,350 feet over less than 1.5 miles, enjoy the summit with seemingly much of Boulder's active population. Look for the East Ridge Trail for the steep, loose, rocky descent down to the Sanitas Valley Trail. Trekking poles are very helpful on this descent! After the steep ascent and descent, the wide, graveled, mellow-grade Sanitas Valley Trail is a perfect way to cool down before getting back in your vehicle. With the trailhead at the edge of this crazy-active city, the parking areas, even midweek in September, will likely be full. Consider yourself lucky to nab one of the 25 spots at the Centennial Park trailhead, 0.3 miles west of the intersection of Mapleton Avenue and 4th Street on Mapleton Avenue. Perhaps a wiser idea is to take public transportation; an RTD bus passes very close to this trailhead. Written by Scott Anderson
To begin this iconic urban summit loop, cross the paved road from the trailhead to the picnic shelter, and look for the signed Ridge Trail. Here, the route launches 1,350 feet upward via many, many log and rock steps to the 6,483-foot summit of Boulder's Mt. Sanitas. Despite the huge number of people hiking or running up this local favorite, the 3.4-mile loop route is well worth hitting up when visiting Boulder, CO. The hike is located just at the edge of the city, making it easy to get to even during an extended lunch break. The immediacy of the steep, relentless steps makes it quite understandable to stop on the way up to drink in the views. A wonderful opportunity exists about halfway up; expansive views of Boulder lie below. On a clear day, look for the mountains in the Front Range and maybe even Denver's skyscrapers. If so inclined, it is possible to scramble just a tad higher on the rocks before continuing the hike. After gaining more than 1,350 feet over less than 1.5 miles, enjoy the summit with seemingly much of Boulder's active population. Look for the East Ridge Trail for the steep, loose, rocky descent down to the Sanitas Valley Trail. Trekking poles are very helpful on this descent! After the steep ascent and descent, the wide, graveled, mellow-grade Sanitas Valley Trail is a perfect way to cool down before getting back in your vehicle. With the trailhead at the edge of this crazy-active city, the parking areas, even midweek in September, will likely be full. Consider yourself lucky to nab one of the 25 spots at the Centennial Park trailhead, 0.3 miles west of the intersection of Mapleton Avenue and 4th Street on Mapleton Avenue. Perhaps a wiser idea is to take public transportation; an RTD bus passes very close to this trailhead. Written by Scott Anderson
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Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitas clockwise loop | 3.07 mi | 1,286 ft | 0.0% |
| Sanitas (trail fork to two trees at top) | 1.21 mi | 1,257 ft | 19.6% |
| Sanitas Climb (steep side) | 1.29 mi | 1,293 ft | 18.3% |
| Sanitas ridge to the power line | 0.90 mi | 968 ft | 19.9% |
| Mount Sanitas Trail Climb | 0.36 mi | 207 ft | 10.9% |
| Mt Sanitas downhill top to road | 0.68 mi | -751 ft | -20.7% |
| Mt Sanitas road downhill clockwise | 1.13 mi | -525 ft | -8.8% |