Betasso Preserve
Trail
6.7 mile
10.7 kilometer
loop
Intermediate
Elevation
Ascent:
776'
237 m
Descent: -778' -237 m
High: 6,575' 2,004 m
Low: 6,178' 1,883 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 4% (3°)
Max Grade: 16% (9°)
Dogs
Leashed
Weather
All Clear
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“This hike is easily accessible from Boulder and offers amazing singletrack with beautiful views.”
— Duncan Moore
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.
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.
Hiked this trail?
We need help with the following missing trail information:
Family Friendly, ADA Accessible, Flora & Fauna, History & Background
Contacts
Land Manager: Boulder County, CO - Parks and Open Space
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Check-Ins
Jan 21, 2019
Micki Balder
Dry and snow packed on mlk day, spikes are best. Pretty quiet, moderate endurance/light workout. Not much for views, prob good for running
6.7mi
—
2h 05m
Jul 1, 2018
Michele Cotter
nice trail without too many steep sections. did it as my first trail run, decided I don't like running that much. would be a nice trail for out of…
Jun 9, 2018
Sarah Pierce Martin
Betasso Preserve is apparently the umbrella name when combining the Canyon and Gregory loop trails - a bit of a figure eight in form.
6.8mi
—
3h 50m
Aug 27, 2017
Laura Hamman
Beautiful hike. Way too many bikes - next time, come on a Wed or Sun when bikes aren't allowed on the trails.
7mi
—
3h 00m
Oct 29, 2016
Rebecca Allison
Hiked uphill sections, ran flat and downhill sections. Beautiful weather and trail!
7.3mi
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