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Hiking the Continental Divide in Winter Park, Colorado

600 miles of trails stretch throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley.  Whether you choose to follow a babbling brook, stroll through a wildflower meadow, or climb up the side of a mountain, Winter Park offers hiking for every skill level.

Hiking the Continental Divide in Winter Park, ColoradoWinter Park Resort has 50 miles of trails that are accessible by chair lift.  At the top of the lift you will find the Sunspot, which is a great place to get a bite to eat and enjoy the 360-degree views of surrounding mountains.

Berthoud Pass also offers a high starting point, but you can get there by car instead of a chair lift.  Hiking along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which follows the Divide from Mexico to Canada, gives you a feeling of being on top of the world.  You can also access the Divide from Rollins pass.  It tends to be a little less crowded, but that is because the road up is a little bumpy, unlike Berthoud Pass.

For those looking for a challenging hike, give Byers Peak a try.  Reaching the peak at 12,804 feet may be difficult, but the views from the top are spectacular.  Devil’s Thumb, 12,000 feet, is a nice area for hiking, however it is best known for snow shoeing during the winter months.

After taking a nice morning hike you can relax and enjoy some free music concerts that can be found just about everywhere in Winter Park all summer long.  Music and food festivals also take place in the area, but generally cost up to $40 for admission.  Events like the Jazz Festival and the Food, Wine & Beer Festival may require advance planning for stays in Winter Park.

It would be impossible to cover all of the hiking trails of Winter Park and the Fraser Valley in one short article.  However, once you get to here, there are numerous free trail guides that can be found at most establishments.

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