Switzerland Trail

Total Miles
5.4

Elevation

2,767.94 ft

Duration

2.5 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

It is amazing to consider what it must have been like to be on a train winding down the steep terrain on this trail. The scenery is fantastic, especially in the fall. If you want a longer adventure, continue north. Trail is open all year.

Photos of Switzerland Trail

Switzerland Trail
Switzerland Trail
Switzerland Trail

Difficulty

Easy. Roads are mildly rocky and maintenance is minimal due to the gentle grades. Single-lane width in places. Be careful around blind curves. Suitable for almost any high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive SUV.

History

In 1883, a railroad was built to the town of Sunset. It was later extended to the town of Ward and followed roughly the same path as the road you follow up the north side. It made a stop at the Mt. Alto Pavilion, now just a picnic area. Later,in 1905, the railroad was extended south from Sunset to reach Eldora, a thriving mining town at the time. A flood in 1919 washed out most of the track.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Reiter S
Apr 21, 2024
2023 Jeep Gladiator
Open
Snow/Ice
Normal
Switzerland Trail coming off Highway 72 had some snow and drifts in spots, which will dissipate as the week wears on until the next storm. Snow is worn down and easily passable, and is largely gone about a half mile to mile after the Gordon Gulch intersection. Subaru Outback and Foresters shouldn't have much issue, especially as the week wears on until the next storm.
Brandon Lackey
Apr 13, 2024
4x4
Open
Snow/Ice
Not quite ready yet. There was like 9 vehicles stuck a little past where it opens up to go onto Gordon Spur Rd. I turned around after I found the stuck vehicles. Some amazing people were there helping them all. The snow gets fairly deep after that. I was driving a 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-road with a 3” lift on 33s and I have a rear differential locker. I got stuck a couple of times but nothing I couldn’t get out of myself without a winch.
Lisa Rider
Mar 25, 2024
4x4
Open
Snow/Ice
We drove a lifted 5th Gen. 4Runner with front and rear E-lockers and found it to be an easy road with some ruts. It had 2-3 feet of snow on the east end. Just past the Gordon Spur Rd. the snow got much deeper. We turned around (after winching ourselves out) and followed our tracks back toward Boulder. Visibility was overcast, so I can’t comment on the views. There were open places where I imagine the views would be beautiful on a clear day.
Rob Waring
Mar 12, 2024
4x4
Open
Snow/Ice
Drove a stock Toyota Tacoma. Trail was covered in snow that had been packed down by previous drivers. It was a relatively easy trail, however, I would recommend 4x4 and high clearance given the current conditions.

Access Description

From Boulder, take Highway 119 to Nederland, then head north at the roundabout on Highway 72. Turn right on unmarked C.R.120 just after mile marker 38. The drive from Boulder is shorter if you start at Waypoint 02. Turn right off Highway119 onto paved Sugarloaf Road 122. Go northwest 4.6 miles and turn right uphill on C.R. 93. Road winds uphill through residential area to parking lot at 0.7 mile.

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