Boulder Flatirons

Beautiful place. Great hiking options in Chautaqua but you need proper hiking shoes. The nature trails are mildly rugged with some parts where you are literally walking only on rocks. The natural beauty is impressive and definitely worth a trip if you’re in the area.

A friend of mine was visiting from Michigan, and I wanted to take him on a hike to show him the beauty of Colorado, without killing his sea-​level lungs. The hike was absolutely beautiful and surprisingly not crowded, although we did go on a weekday. Unfortunately the road was closed going up to the trail heads (I think? It was my first time at the flat irons), so we didn’t end up finding the trail I had planned on hiking. I’ll definitely go back some time with some Colorado natives, and have them show me the best trails and how to find them.
In all, highly recommended for someone of any fitness level. I would rate the hike easy-​to-​moderate (some places did involve more stair-​stepping up uneven rocks) but overall it was a great time, even for my unacclimatized friend!

Parking is bad, but we lucked out. We got there fairly early, but there were already tons of people, locals, trainees and tourists. It’s a good idea to drop by the Visitor Center as the trails are not well marked. We did get a bit lost. We reached the first flatiron. It was foggy, so not much of a view, but it was somewhat a fun challenge to get up there. However, as the weather cleared up, we got some beautiful sights. There are rock climbers and many 4-​legged friends. Watch your step; some parts are slippery and rocky. All in all, It was a lot of fun.

It’s the Flatirons dummy, How can you have anything negative to say about them? I guess maybe if you are that chick that was tripping on shrooms, and got lost up there in the winter, you might have a negative opinion…

We live here. It;s beautiful and treacherous when it snows. But being within walking distance to some of the most beautiful trails in Boulder? Priceless.

Behind Eldorado Canyon, the Flatirons is my most frequented outdoor spot. I run/​climb here at least twice a week. There are a large number of trailheads to access the Flatirons, the most popular (crowded) being Chautauqua.
The park holds a large number of trails of varying steepness for hikers/​trail runners and it’s not difficult to put in 15 miles without backtracking. Several of the high points top 8000′. It’s no surprise that quite a few of the the top ultrarunners live in town.
For climbers/​scramblers the park has a lot to offer, from class 3 to 5.13+, sport, bouldering, and trad. The rock is conglomerate sandstone, which holds up fairly well under wet conditions (unlike the rock in places like Red Rock Canyon outside Vegas).
Helpful hints:
— S Mesa, Doudy Draw, Gregory Canyon, Flagstaff, and Flatirons Vista parking areas charge a parking fee for vehicles not registered in Boulder Co (currently $ 5 daily or $ 25 annually)
— Those interested in climbing should pick up Jason Haas’, Climbing Boulder’s Flatirons excellent full color guide book.
— Some of the formations are subject to seasonal wildlife closures (namely the 1 Feb to 31 July raptor closures), so check the Boulder Co Open Space and Mt Park (OSMP) website if you’re unsure.

Came here on a sunny day a couple years ago. I got rather bored with my workout routine and decided to catch a cab from my hotel to the nearest hiking spot. Chautauqua over-​delivered. The park itself has a lot to offer, whether your aim is to hike up the 3^rd Flatiron or just to chill out with friends at the park.
The hike up to the base of the 3^rd peak of Flatiron was not too difficult but it was definitely a workout. The views were spectacular. I particularly remember one giant piece of rock (more like part of a range of the mountains) sticking out in air, reminding me of the throne in the Lion King.
I felt as if I was lost in a wonderland as I hiked up the trails by myself. It was great to spend time pondering upon things you don’t normally get a chance to think about on your normal busy days.

Would be five stars except they cause the sunlight to go away earlier and block my view of the sunset. Besides that they’re excellent!
P. S. This review is for humans deciding where to go. I’m not suggesting that nature do anything different.

Oh the best! Definitely. Why do you think I stay in Boulder rather than Denver? Well, it ain’t for the ladies, Ill tell you that. It’s definitely for spectacular weather, which lends itself quite well to spectacular views. You will not regret the choice of moving here for this reason. On account of the flatirons, every day is somewhat beautiful. (Wow, i think that may be the most sincere statement of all my reviews). So check it out. It is, like I said… JUST PLAIN GREAT.
Shall I try to describe this? Let’s see, well, there are most definitely a rather stone color, (sometimes with snow peaked tips!). Surrounded by most royal blue of skies. Floating green fields. Daisies. Sunshine! I can’t do it justice… you just have to experience… The Flatirons.

Nature at it’s finest.

Contructed in the late 50’s, the Boulder flatirons attracted a great following in the 1960s for their beauty and great climbing. This caused comfortable growth for a booming progressive (read hippie, flower-​child type) population for a few decades. By the time the 90’s hit, the flatirons became cliché. But even in 2006, they are still nice to look at.