Running the Rockies: A Trail Running Guide

Written by
Taylor Danser
What better place to run a trail than on the side of a mountain? And what better mountains are there than the Rockies? The Rocky Mountains, which run from New Mexico up to British Columbia, provide endless opportunities for trail running. One of the most popular trails in the country is the Continental Divide Trail, stretching 3,100 miles over five states, but if you're looking for lesser-known options, here are a few top choices.
Black Lake Trail
Estes Park, Colo.
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This is an intermediate, 9.6-mile trail with amazing views on the way to stunning Black Lake. On the way, you'll pass a few other lakes and a waterfall. Varying terrain will keep you entertained.
Switzerland Trail
Boulder, Colo.
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This trail to the west of Boulder was named for its mountain scenery. It's a remote, relatively level 14 miles along a former railroad route that was built to accommodate mining operations in Colorado's front range at the turn of the 20th century.
Hyde Park Memorial State Park
Santa Fe
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There are 4.2 miles of trail to run in this state park in the northern part of New Mexico. Park elevation ranging from 8,300 to 9,400 feet offers spectacular views among the forest of pines along Little Tesuque Creek.
Skyline Trail
Paradise, Utah
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There are a couple of different options here, including a shorter trail, totaling 5.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet. You can also opt for the nine-mile trek to the 9,711-foot summit of Ben Lomond Peak.
Savage Run Trail
Cheyenne, Wyo.
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With a little more than 12 miles of trail in remote Cheyenne, this trail is loaded with wildlife in the corner of Medicine Bow National Forest. You'll climb from around 8,000 feet to nearly 9,750 feet surrounded by the beautiful Wyoming wilderness.
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Idaho and Montana
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This wilderness area contains more than 1.3 million acres, with approximately 1 million of it in Idaho and the rest in Montana. There's plenty to run through,, too, with nearly 1,800 miles of trails winding through the area on both sides of the mountains. Note that many of the trails are unmaintained and rugged.
Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park and Protected Area
Northeastern British Columbia
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This park encompassing 665,709 hectares of wilderness was established in 1999 and is the third largest provincial park in British Columbia. Runners are best to hit these trails in the summer and autumn, as the cooler months leave the area virtually uninhabited.
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Kananaskis Valley
South Alberta
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Multiple trails of different lengths provide days of running opportunities on the northern part of the Rockies. Jump on the Georgetown Interpretive for a quick 3.5K run, or take half a day on the Stoney, a 22.5K trek.
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