Near Foothills Trail
This photo is the view looking back to the northwest just before cresting the hill and going down to the east.
Near Foothills Trail
Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, CO
Near Foothills Trail
Maxwell Natural Area
Near Foothills Trail
Maxwell Natural Area

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Foothills Trail

3.6 (13 Ratings)
A tour of the foothills just outside Fort Collins, CO.
8.1
mi
Distance
1,068
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsLakeRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
8.11mi
Distance
1,068ft
Elevation Gain
1,212ft
Elevation Loss
15%
Max Grade
5,681ft
High Point
5,095ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
This trail is very popular and you can hike it from south to north or north to south. Park at either Dixon Reservoir or Claymore Lake to hike the full length, or use some of the many connector trails to create loops. Through the Maxwell Natural Area section there are some technical areas with skinny singletrack and significant obstacles. Other than these two areas, the trail is mostly smooth single and doubletrack with awesome views.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
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Nearby Hike Routes

Dixon Reservoir Loop Trail

Hike Route

Dixon Reservoir Loop Trail

Dogs Allowed
easy
2.07 mi
+71 ft
Maxwell Natural Area Ridge

Hike Route

Maxwell Natural Area Ridge

Birding
moderate
3.88 mi
+638 ft
Stout, Sawmill + Nomad Trail Loop

Hike Route

Stout, Sawmill + Nomad Trail Loop

Lakefront
moderate
4.55 mi
+807 ft
Arthur Rock Loop

Hike Route

Arthur Rock Loop

Less Crowded
moderate
4.27 mi
+1,145 ft
Arthur's Rock Hike

Hike Route

Arthur's Rock Hike

Birding
moderate
3.19 mi
+1,133 ft
Horsetooth Rock

Hike Route

Horsetooth Rock

Views
moderate
5.98 mi
+1,728 ft
Contributors
Brian Smith