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Betasso Preserve

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.2 (79) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Betasso Preserve
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“This hike is easily accessible from Boulder and offers amazing singletrack with beautiful views. ”

Duncan Moore
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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.7

KM

Loop

6,575' 2,004 m

High

6,178' 1,883 m

Low

776' 237 m

Up

778' 237 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

To access, drive up Boulder Canyon turning right up Sugarloaf Road. Take your first right up Betasso Road. Once on Betasso Road you'll see parking for the trailhead on your left.

Need to Know

Recommended use Wednesdays and Saturdays due to mountain bike closure. If you choose to hike on a day that bikes are allowed, it is recommended to pay attention to the direction of bike traffic, which is posted and hike against bike traffic. This makes visibility for both parties better. Always be courteous to everyone using the trail.

Description

The trailhead offers a bathroom, picnic area, and plenty of parking. Unfortunately there is no access to drinking water.

The Canyon Loop opens up to a fork in the road. The trail is one giant loop and either direction is appropriate for travel.

Canyon Loop Trail totals 3.3 miles and begins on the rim of the preserve. The first half of the trail quickly drops in altitude and the second half of the trail is spent gaining altitude. The trail is mainly comprised of singletrack and has numerous opportunities for amazing views. The trail is made up of compact dirt with some rocks and roots showing.

Near the half waypoint of the Canyon Loop, the Benjamin Trail Link intersects. This is 0.75 miles of singletrack that brings you directly to the Benjamin Loop. The Benjamin Loop is by far the best part of this hike offering 2.4 miles of heavily forested singletrack. The trail has similar signage as the Canyon Loop dictating direction of travel for bicycles. The trail is comprised of a series of switchbacks that gradually climb up the rim and then descend into another series of switchbacks. The trail is hard compact dirt with a bridge feature.

Contacts

Land Manager: Boulder County, CO - Parks and Open Space

Shared By:

Duncan Moore
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 79 votes

#1

in Betasso Preserve

#88

Overall
  4.2 from 79 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Betasso Preserve

#29

in Colorado

#88

Overall
149 Views Last Month
19,093 Since Jan 29, 2015
Intermediate
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91%
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Photos

Cruising along Benjamin Loop, look off to the side to enjoy great views.
Apr 2, 2017 near Boulder, CO
The meadow
Oct 20, 2015 near Boulder, CO
Progression of the Betasso climb in three shots.
Aug 25, 2017 near Boulder, CO
Arriving at the Benjamin loop from the connector.
Oct 20, 2015 near Boulder, CO
The trail is smooth and wide through the trees to finish the Canyon loop.
Oct 20, 2015 near Boulder, CO
The climbs are gradual.
Dec 21, 2018 near Boulder, CO

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Check-Ins

Apr 3, 2022
Charly Jackson
Feb 26, 2022
Jody Rae
May 15, 2021
Private User
May 9, 2021
Private User
Feb 8, 2021
Private User
Jan 16, 2021
MCDeaver
Jan 2, 2021
Nick Barendregt
First hike of 2021! Perfect conditions and fairly quiet on the trail. 6.8mi — 2h 16m
Oct 17, 2020
Nick Barendregt
Great fall conditions and a quiet day made this a great outing. 6.8mi — 2h 19m

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