Horsetooth Rock Trail

Route Description for Horsetooth Rock Trail

The Horsetooth Rock Trail is a wonderful family-friendly trail in the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Rewarded with a unique perspective of Horsetooth Rock from the top of the trail, this path will guide you through quintessential Colorado meadows and through pine forests. This trail does pack a lot of incline into a short excursion, so your legs are guaranteed to feel it. Note this path can get muddy in the summer and spring seasons, so maybe don’t wear your new fancy white sneakers. In the winter, expect the trail to be icy, consider wearing microspikes to more easily navigate the icy sections.

The Horsetooth Rock Trail begins from the parking lot and trailhead. Track northwest on the South Ridge Trail. The meadowed path will curve you north before crossing Spring Creek. After the creek you will meet a junction. You can complete the trail from either direction, but we went clockwise. Veer left and continue along the South Ridge Trail. Hike up the exposed trail as you gain elevation nearing the base of Horsetooth Mountain. Stay right at the next intersection and you will shortly arrive at the overlook. Admire the obscure rock formation atop the summit in the northwest and bask in the expansive vistas of the Colorado plains below.

Take a break and enjoy the sights before diverting right down another branch of the South Ridge Trail. Hike down the steep path and you will once again meet with Spring Creek. Follow the path along the creek's edge as you weave between tree coverage and meadowed fields. You will soon meet the intersection that will guide you back to the trailhead. Retrace your steps down the initial section of the South Ridge Trail back to the parking lot.