Niwot Ridge Trail
Trail features
Hover or long-press a feature to see its basis. Effort is computed from length and climb and is not an official difficulty.
Plan your visit
Access details come from OpenStreetMap tags and can be missing or out of date. Fees, permits and seasonal closures are not included here yet.
Parking, fees and permits
We don't have verified parking, fee or permit details for this trail, so they are unknown here. These rules change and are set by the land manager. Check the official pages:
- Roosevelt National Forest official page ↗ · Roosevelt National Forest on Arête
- Boulder County official page ↗ · Boulder County on Arête
Details
| Length | 2.52 micomputed |
|---|---|
| Route type | Unknownunknown |
| Surface | Gravelfrom source |
| Difficulty | Hiking (OSM sac_scale)from source |
| Elevation gain | 65 ftcomputed |
| Elevation loss | 869 ftcomputed |
| Highest point | 11,448 ftcomputed |
| Lowest point | 10,561 ftcomputed |
| Estimated duration | about 50 min one way (estimate, Naismith's rule)computed |
| Official verification | Not verified by an official sourceunknown |
Elevation
Length is measured from the route geometry in the source data, so it can differ from signed or official distances.
Nearby trails
- Niwot Cutoff Trail0.61 mi · 1.6 mi away
- Little Raven Trail1.67 mi · 1.6 mi away
- Jean Lunning Trail1.38 mi · 1.6 mi away
- Long Lake Connector Trail0.47 mi · 1.8 mi away
Weather at the trailhead
Today: sunrise 7:14 AM, sunset 6:19 PM (computed from the trailhead location).
Forecast for the trailhead area from the U.S. National Weather Service, updated Oct 17, 12:46 AM. Mountain weather changes fast and can differ a lot by elevation: check the official forecast for your route before you go.
Recent conditions
Reports come from Arête members, not from land managers. They show when something was seen, not whether it is still true. Check official sources before you go.
No condition reports in the last 30 days. Conditions are unknown, not necessarily good.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Niwot Ridge Trail?
Niwot Ridge Trail in Roosevelt National Forest is 2.52 mi long, measured from its route geometry in OpenStreetMap data. Signed or official distances can differ.
How much elevation does Niwot Ridge Trail gain?
Walking from the start to the end as drawn, it climbs about 65 ft and descends about 869 ft, between 10,561 ft and 11,448 ft. These are computed from the USGS 3DEP elevation model and can differ from other apps; the other direction swaps climbing and descending.
How hard is Niwot Ridge Trail?
OpenStreetMap tags this trail "Hiking" (sac_scale). That is a mapper's rating, not an official one.
How long does Niwot Ridge Trail take?
About 50 min one way for a fit hiker, by Naismith's rule from the length and climb. It is an estimate: allow more for rest, photos, heat, altitude and weather.
Where does Niwot Ridge Trail start?
The route starts near 40.0524, -105.5824 (Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder County). Use the Directions button to open it in your maps app.
Are dogs allowed on Niwot Ridge Trail?
Not tagged in OpenStreetMap, so it is unknown. Check posted signs and the land manager's website.
Is there water, parking or a toilet at Niwot Ridge Trail?
Mapped in OpenStreetMap near this trail: 0 water points, 0 parking areas, 0 toilets. Mapped water is not tested or guaranteed: carry your own. Fees and permits are not included here; check the official page.
Source
© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Overpass API extract: Boulder County, CO (hiking relations + named paths). Licence: ODbL 1.0. Data version osm-2026-10-16, imported 10/16/2026. View the source record
Trail data can be wrong or out of date, and Arête is not an emergency service. Check official sources, weather and closures before you go.