Guided Hiking Tours near Fort Collins: Choose Your Trail

Three trails, three difficulty levels, all with a guide who knows the geology and the wildlife

Guided hiking tours near Fort Collins let you pick a trail that matches your fitness level (beginner, moderate or advanced), and hike through Horsetooth Open Space with a certified guide who shares the history and ecology of the area. Your guide meets you at the trailhead, provides a parking pass, and stops at the best photo spots. Trails range from 3.5 to 5.5 miles with elevation gains from 200 to 1,307 feet. Hiking poles, park entry and bottled water are included. Lunch at the trailhead is optional.

The experience

Your guide is certified in Wilderness First Responder and First Aid training, and meets you at Horsetooth Open Space, a 2,711-acre protected area in western Fort Collins. The three hike options let you choose the right difficulty: Swan Johnson Trail is 3.5 miles out and back with 200 feet of elevation gain, suited to first-time hikers and families; Horsetooth Falls Loop is 3.6 miles with 967 feet of gain for moderate to hard effort; Horsetooth Mountain Loop is 5.5 miles with 1,307 feet of elevation gain for advanced hikers. Your guide will point out Red Rock formations, Horsetooth Reservoir, views across the Great Plains and toward the Front Range Mountains, and talk through the geology, ecology and history as you walk.

Northern Colorado's wilderness areas see fewer visitors than popular hiking destinations, so the trails tend to be quieter. Along the way you'll spot wildflowers, aspen color change in fall, snow-capped peaks depending on season, and wildlife. Your guide stops at the best locations for pictures and brings trekking poles if you need them. If you book the lunch option, you'll eat at the pavilions at the trailhead when the hike is done. You're welcome to bring your own snacks and lunch either way. Winter hikes include ice spikes.

What’s included

• Hiking and trekking poles available.
• park entry fees.
• bottled water.
• ice spikes for winter hikes.
• certified guide trained in Wilderness First Responder and First Aid.
• parking pass at Horsetooth Open Space.

Options for this experience

2 options

Northern Colorado guided hiking tripsGuide in English · 08:00

Guided Hiking Tours, Including LunchGuide in English · 08:00Lunch: a packed meal with a cold cut sandwich, mixed trail mix, and fresh fruit.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Beautiful Day Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Pick the Swan Johnson Trail if you're new to hiking or hiking with kids or older family members; choose Horsetooth Falls Loop for a moderate challenge with solid elevation gain; go for Horsetooth Mountain Loop only if you have solid hiking experience and cardiovascular fitness. The guide adjusts the pace to your group and stops for photos and geology talk, so the hike itself is as much about learning the landscape as covering the miles.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Swan Johnson Trail like for someone hiking for the first time?

Swan Johnson Trail is 3.5 miles out and back with 200 feet of elevation gain, designed for first-time mountain hikers, families with kids, and older adults. Your guide meets you at the trailhead and walks with you the whole way, stopping to explain the landscape and point out photo spots.

How much elevation gain is on the Horsetooth Mountain Loop?

Horsetooth Mountain Loop is 5.5 miles with 1,307 feet of elevation gain, making it the advanced option. It's a loop trail rather than out-and-back, and requires solid fitness and hiking experience.

What do I see from the trails at Horsetooth Open Space?

The trails offer views of Red Rock formations, Horsetooth Reservoir, the Great Plains stretching east, and the Front Range Mountains. You'll also see wildflowers, aspen trees (especially striking in fall), snow-capped peaks in season, and wildlife depending on the time of year and which trail you choose.

Can I bring my own food, or is lunch included?

Lunch at the trailhead pavilion is optional and available on one of the two purchase options. You're welcome to bring your own snacks and lunch on any hike, whether or not you book the lunch option.

What gear and supplies does the tour provide?

Hiking and trekking poles are available if you need them. Park entry fees and bottled water are included. Winter hikes include ice spikes. You'll need to wear appropriate footwear and weather-appropriate clothing of your own.