Switzerland Trail

Total Miles
5.4

Elevation

2767.94 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.

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

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.