Things Are Looking Up: Ten Breweries Near Colorado Hiking Trails

Colorado boasts some of the most scenic hikes in the country, and many of them offer a special amenity nearby: world-class beer.

There’s no finer way to end a day of outdoor adventure than with a couple of cold pints at a craft brewery, where you can sit back and reminisce about your exploits. It doesn’t get much better than that.

While there are dozens of hiking-and-hop options around the state, here are ten standout breweries to visit after hitting the trails (listed from those closest to Denver to places further afield):

New Terrain Brewing
16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden
720-697-7848
New Terrain has one of the best outdoor patios in the metro area. The brewery boasts views of both North and South Table Mountain, along with live music, multiple food trucks and a family-friendly atmosphere. To top it off, there’s a large dog park as well as a mountain bike park adjacent to the brewery.

Hike Here: North Table Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate-Intermediate
Distance: Varies
Dogs: Yes, leashed
Mountain Biking: Yes
North Table Mountain is practically just outside New Terrain’s back door. The popular hiking, biking and horseback trails see a lot of use, particularly on the weekends, but the wide trails and numerous routes make this a great choice for all ability levels. A favorite loop is to start at the trailhead on the east side of the mountain, walking up the Lithic trail. At the first major fork, make a left (south) on the North Table Loop. At the second fork, stay right and head west up the Cottonwood Canyon Trail. From there, you can take a steeper, shorter route down the north side of the mountain, passing a waterfall that shows some action during the spring. Otherwise, a longer, counter-clockwise route across the top of the mountain will take you down the south side, with views of the Coors Brewery. Note: North Table Mountain and the larger area surrounding Golden has one of the largest concentrations of rattlesnakes around. They don’t normally pose much of a threat, but it’s important to stay on the trail…and if you happen to run into a snake, give it plenty of room and the patience to let it go about its business.

Coda Brewing
15965 South Golden Road, Golden
303-600-8591
Located in South Golden, Coda is a homey brewery with a nice cast of regular visitors. The outdoor patio is a fun place to have a few beers in the warmer months, and music is a regular occurrence. The beer list offers a wide variety, but don’t skip the lagers – they’re some of the better ones in a region with excellent beer. Barrels & Bottles is just a block over, and it’s another worthwhile stop.

Hike Here: South Table Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: Varies
Dogs: Yes, on leash
Mountain Biking: Yes
While less popular than its neighboring mountain to the north, South Table Mountain offers an easier path to the top of the mountain, culminating with excellent views over the entirety of downtown Golden. Starting at the small parking lot off of Golden Hills Road or the Shoshonite Trailhead (both are on the south side of South Table Mountain), head to the top of the mountain, then west across the mesa. You’ll eventually be led to a steep series of stairs that leads to the summit: Golden Summit Trail is what you’re looking for, with sweeping views above the cliffs. This is a great place for lunch, or just to catch your breath before coming back down.

Cannonball Creek Brewing
393 Washington Avenue, Golden
303-278-0111
Golden is popular with hiking and breweries for a reason: It is surrounded by mountains and home of the original Colorado behemoth: Coors. Cannonball Creek is one of the best West Coast IPA makers in the country. Its beers are not distributed, meaning you have to go to the source to drink them. The brewery also makes quality dark, Belgian and lager beers. Gluten-free leader Holidaily Brewing is just down the street, and another good spot to visit.

Hike Here: Mount Galbraith Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.2, 5.9 and 7.5 mile routes
Dogs: Yes, on leash
Mountain Biking: No
Mount Galbraith offers a variety of loops to choose from, and doesn’t allow mountain bikes. Throw in its close proximity to the town of Golden and the result is an incredibly popular hiking trail. Along the routes, you’ll experience great views of the Front Range. You’ll be above the Table Mountains, too, so you can see not just the town of Golden, but the entire metro area.

MainStage Brewing
450 Main Street, Lyons
303-823-2331
Founded in 2021, MainStage casts a net that includes pretty much everything you could want from a mountain town brewery. With pizzas, music and a variety of beers, it’s a popular spot for good reason.

You can also head over to the OG Oskar Blues location just down the street. And if you’re feeling like high-quality cocktails and spirits,a few blocks away you’ll find Spirit Hound, a distiller that makes some of the best spirits in the state.

Hike Here: Picture Rock Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: Varies
Dogs: No
Mountain Biking: Yes
Picture Rock offers an accessible trail close to Lyons, boasting wonderful views along the Front Range. The North Picture Rock trailhead and Bohn Park area are both excellent places to begin this hike. It’s an out-and-back hike as well, so you can retrace your steps when you’ve reached your limit. Along the way, you’ll discover open prairies, forests and even burn scars from recent fires.

Westbound & Down Brewing Company
1617 Miner Street, Idaho Springs
720-502-3121
Westbound & Down makes a variety of IPAs, with a slant toward clean, bitter and flavorful West Coast styles. Its lager program is also one of the best in the state, featuring excellent beers such as The Coloradan, a Mexican lager, and Italian Pils, a dry-hopped pilsner. It also has an extensive food menu, led by chef Ben Plaksa. (There’s also a new, second location in Lafayette, in case your hiking adventures take you in that direction.)

Hike Here: Chief Mountain Trail
Difficulty: Moderate-Intermediate
Distance: 2.8 miles total, out and back
Dogs: Yes, leashed
Mountain Biking: No
Chief Mountain is located in Evergreen, about eleven miles or 25 minutes from Idaho Springs, and is part of the Arapaho National Forest. The trail is fairly short, at just 2.8 miles round trip, but has a somewhat steep elevation gain of 940 feet. The trail is wide and primarily shaded until the peak, allowing plenty of opportunities to catch your breath. Once you summit, the trail tops off at 11,700 feet of elevation, opening up with 360-degree views of the Rocky Mountains. If you’re looking for something a little longer or more challenging, Mount Blue Sky is nearby and has an extensive network of excellent hikes.

 Red Leg Brewing Company
2323 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs
719-598-3776
Veteran-owned and -operated Red Leg Brewing features one of the finest outdoor spaces in all of Colorado, with both upper- and lower-level patios, multiple food trucks on most days, a variety of lawn games, all while offering expansive views of the mountains.

Hike Here: Garden of the Gods Trail Network
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: Varies
Dogs: Yes, leashed
Mountain Biking: Yes, but very limited
On the western edge of Colorado Springs lies Garden of the Gods. This National Natural Landmark park features large sandstone formations that can reach heights of 300 feet. Throughout the park, you’ll find a wide variety of hiking options, mostly on the easier side. Typically hikers will combine several smaller trails to create a loop. One of the better options is the Cabin Canyon to Siamese Twins to Palmer and Central Garden Trail Loop. This 4.3-mile hike climbs a modest 616 feet in elevation and gives hikers a great tour of the park. A slightly shorter route – taking the Palmer, Buckskin-Charley, Niobrara and Bretag trails to form a four-mile, 449-foot elevation gain loop, takes hikers around the perimeter of the park. With about two dozen individual trails, you’re left with virtually unlimited options on how to link up these short trails and build your own customized experience.

Outer Range Brewing
182 Lusher Court, Frisco
970-455-8709
Outer Range has become a magnet for IPA enthusiasts over the years. Situated in the picturesque mountain town of Frisco, Outer Range is a must-stop for many traveling on Interstate 70. The scenery is stunning, and includes Dillon Reservoir, the seventh-largest reservoir in Colorado.

Hike Here: Mount Royal Trail
Difficulty: Intermediate-Difficult
Distance: 4 miles
Dogs: Yes, on leash
Mountain Biking: No
Despite being one of the shorter trails on this list, Mount Royal is one of the tougher ones. Steep, loose sections, along with an elevation above 9,000 feet, make this a difficult out-and-back trail. If you can make it to the top, you’ll have nothing but mountain and water views below.

Palisade Brewing Company
200 Peach Avenue, Palisade
970-464-1462
Located in the heart of Palisade, this brewery’s flagship beer is Dirty Hippy, a dark wheat ale that clocks in at a very drinkable 5.3 percent ABV. If wheat beer isn’t your thing, the brewery has a wide range of other beer styles, including several IPAs. The partially shaded patio makes a great outdoor experience, while the cozy garage feel of the indoor seating is nice on those sizzling summer days. It also features a food menu with a wide variety of appetizers, salads and sandwiches. If you’re feeling more like cocktails, Peach Street Distillers is a stone’s throw away.

Hike Here: Palisade Rim Trail
Difficulty: All Levels
Distance: 3.3- and 8.3-mile loops
Dogs: Yes
Mountain Biking: Yes
The Palisade Rim Trail is on the eastern edge of Palisade, off the Colorado River. The hike offers quick gratification, with truly breathtaking views of the Grand Valley opening up after only a few hundred feet of elevation gain. The shorter loop is 3.3 miles with about 600 feet of elevation gain. For hikers with a higher level of endurance, the 8.3-mile, 1,400-foot elevation-gain track will reward you with even bigger views of the valley below.

Elevation Beer Company
115 Pahlone Parkway, Poncha Springs
719-539-5258
Elevation Beer Company is the star of the tiny town of Poncha Springs. It has barrel-aged specialties, including Signal de Botrange, a 9.8 percent ABV Chardonnay barrel-aged farmhouse ale that is a gem of a beer. Elevation also has easy drinkers, like its year-round 8 Second Kolsch, among the best of its style in Colorado. The outdoor patio is the perfect way to wind down post-hike, with south-facing views of the mountains and an in-house food truck.

Hike Here: Monarch Crest Trail
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Distance: Varies, up to 31.3 miles
Dogs: No
Mountain Biking: Yes
Located in the Gunnison National Forest, Monarch Crest is an extensive trail system that offers true alpine, backcountry hikes up to 31.2 miles in length. If that large of an adventure is intimidating, fear not: There are plenty of easier hikesin this trail network. One good option is to start from the Monarch Crest Trailhead, at the Monarch Crest Gift Shop. There you’ll find a huge, free parking lot. You can then hike up the mountain, reward yourself with nearly instant expansive views of the mountain range and simply turn around when you’ve had your fill. If you prefer to hike in the woods along a creek, starting at Green’s or Fooses Creek, both closer to Poncha Springs, is another great option for an out-and-back.

Telluride Brewing Company
156 Society Drive, Telluride
970-728-5094
Chances are you’ve had a Telluride Brewing Company beer, even if you’ve never been to Telluride; the brewery’s products are a staple in bars, venues and liquor stores all across Colorado. From popular beers like the hop-forward Facedown Brown and Tempter IPA to more experimental offerings using hop terpenes, Telluride has a lineup of hoppy beers that will really hit the spot after a mountain hike. Its patio is next to the brown facade of the brewery, which is nestled against the forest, making you question whether you’ve even left your nature adventure.

Hike Here: Bear Creek Trail
Difficulty: Moderate-Intermediate
Distance: 5.1 miles total, out and back
Dogs: Yes, leashed
Mountain Biking: No
Bear Creek Trail starts on the south end of Telluride’s downtown area. About a half-mile in, the trail turns to follow the Bear Creek and rewards hikers with excellent views of the forest, mountains and creek. Just over two and a half miles in is the main attraction, Bear Creek Falls, a gorgeous waterfall of over 75 feet. For trekkers looking for more of a challenge, the Wasatch Trail connects just below the falls and provides five more miles of terrain to cover, ending at the gondola, which can then be taken into town. These trails can also be taken in reverse, starting with a free gondola ride up the mountain.