Hops and Hikes: 5 Great Denver Area Trails Near Craft Breweries

Hiking has long been a popular Denver summer past-time, but in the Covid 19 era of social distancing and mask wearing, lacing up your shoes and hitting the trail is more popular today than ever. 

Luckily there are hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore within an hour’s drive of the Mile High City. Even better many of these hiking trails are within a short drive of a local craft brewery where you can grab a frosty brew after putting in the miles on the trail — or grab a growler or some cans to take home so you don’t have to worry about a designated driver. 

To get the scoop on where to hike around Denver this summer, Frontgate Realty turned to a local expert. Mindy Sink is a freelance writer and editor, whose latest guidebook “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Denver and Boulder”  (Menasha Ridge Press, 2020) was published this year. To research the book, Mindy hiked over 70 trails and 350 miles along Colorado’s Front Range. Like us at Frontgate, she also enjoys a good craft beer after a hot summer hike. 

So we asked her to recommend five of her favorite hops and hiking trail combos within an hour’s drive of Denver.  Below, her recommendations in her own words: 

Peak to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon and Golden City Brewery

Yes, you’ve heard of the Coors Brewery in Golden, but Golden City Brewery is the town’s second largest brewery and offers seating in the front or back yard of the founder’s home. Hike up North Table Mountain or the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon, then get comfortable. There are more trails in Golden itself, including a paved and gravel mixed path (pictured here) that runs along Clear Creek..

Gem Lake and Lumpy Ridge Brewing Company in Estes Park

Estes Park is the gateway town for Rocky Mountain National Park, and it has a handful of breweries to choose from post-hike. I’d suggest beginning wiht a hike to Gem Lake via the Lumpy Ridge Trail. Afterward head to the Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co. for some eccentric beer flavors. 

Caribou Ranch Open Space and the Knotted Root Brewing Company in Nederland

Caribou Ranch Open Space has some great hiking trails to check out include the DeLonde Trail and Blue Bird Loop. The protected land is just outside of Nederland and off the Peak to Peak Highway, which is an absolutely stunning drive in its own merit. As you head back to Denver or Boulder, stop in at the Knotted Root Brewing Company or Very Nice Brewing Company. 

Hogback Ridge Loop and Upslope Brewing Company in Boulder

North Boulder is home to trails and places to get a drink. It’s hard to pick just one trail in this iconic outdoorsy town to recommend (and my book has a few), but a lesser-known one is the Hogback Ridge Loop from the North Foothills Trailhead. Check out longtime local Boulder favorite Upslope Brewing Company for a beer after your hike.

Sleepy Lion Trail and Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons

Lyons sits between Boulder and Estes Park and has plenty of gorgeous scenery of its own. Hit the trail at the Button Rock Preserve, doing the Sleepy Lion and Hummingbird Switchback Trails, before rolling back into town and heading to Oskar Blues Grill & Brew. Besides beer, the brewery does excellent pub grub with a cajun style focus. 

To read more about specific hikes, you can purchase Mindy’s book here:  “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Denver and Boulder”  (