Explore Niwot trails for health, wellness and fun

The weather has been amazing, and the outdoor air quality in Boulder County is better than most states in North America. It's time to dust off the bikes, hit the trails, and explore the healing power of nature and physical activity.

There are seven community trails in Niwot and one regional trail that run through town. The

community trails are from 0.6 to 1.5 miles long, mostly with gravel surfaces. They are relatively

short and easy, perfect for quick exercise before or after work or a slower ride with young

children.

Bikers are rarely alone on the trails and often need to watch for joggers, hikers, people walking their dogs, and occasional horseback riders. Together the trails are referred to as the Niwot Extended Loop which is just over 5 miles and has beautiful views of the mountains while being immersed in the near-plains.

Because Niwot happens to have one trail for each day of the week, the list below starts with the

shortest one to consider for a Monday workout (because who wants to work hard on a Monday

anyway?).

1. Niwot Hills Trail (0.6 miles) - Starts at the northeast corner of the Legend Ridge Loop Trail to Niwot Road.

2. Cougar Trail (0.8 miles) - Starts at the east end of Niwot High School and runs along the

Boulder-White Rock Irrigation ditch.

3. 95th Street Trail (1 mile) - Runs along Niwot Road to 95th Street.

4. Somerset Trail (1.1 miles) - Begins at the Niwot Loop Trailhead on 79th Street north of Highway 52 and heads east from the LoBo Trail to Niwot Estates Open Space, where it connects with Legend Ridge Loop Trail.

5. Overbrook Trail (1.3 miles) - Starts at Left Hand Valley Grange Park on 83rd Street, goes along Dry Creek behind the Overbrook neighborhood and connects with the Cougar Trail.

6. Hidden Star Trail (1.5 miles) - Runs along Boulder and White Rock Ditch from the

Somerset trail to Longview Drive and turns north to Niwot Road.

7. Legend Ridge Loop (1.5 miles) - Connects Highway 52 to Somerset Trail and Niwot Hills Trail.

The Boulder County Parks and Open Space map of the Niwot trails can be found here.

The well-designed and marked Niwot trail system wasn't always the way it is now, and its

development didn't happen overnight. The Niwot Trail Master Plan was approved in 2006 by the

Board of County Commissioners after ten months of planning, development, meetings, and

commitments from Boulder County representatives, consultants, and Niwot residents, spearheaded by the Niwot Community Association. After approval, it took many years to complete the trail system to what it is today.

The LoBo Regional Trail (LoBo stands for Longmont-to-Boulder) is 12.8 miles long, and it is a major regional trail that runs from the Cottonwood Trailhead in Boulder through Gunbarrel and Niwot along 83rd Street and the Diagonal Highway and ends north of Plateau Road on 95th Street in Longmont. Despite its longer distance, LoBo is considered an easy trail among regular bikers. It is also a popular site for birding, wildlife watching, hiking, and electric biking. As of July 1, the LoBo Trail is open to e-bikes, which the City of Boulder previously prohibited where the trail crossed City of Boulder Open Space.

The LoBo Regional Trail map can be found here.

Biking is one of the best forms of recreation for any age and fitness level. Cycling is considered

low impact exercise, putting less strain and lower risk of injuries than most forms of exercise. It is excellent to improve strength and stamina, get fit, improve joint mobility and bone strength, and help prevent many chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. In addition, being outside helps to improve mood and overall sense of well-being and, combined with physical activity, can help combat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

The Board of County Commissioners approved e-bikes on Boulder County trails in 2019,

including Niwot Trails and the LoBo Trail. Only class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are allowed, which means that the electric motor must stop assisting the bike when its speed reaches 20 mph.

E-bikes are great for those who use bikes to commute to work or school, cutting their travel time in half. They can encourage riders with less endurance or other physical challenges to explore longer trails and farther destinations and, most importantly, help them get the physical activity needed to be healthy.

All bikes need proper maintenance to ensure safety and smooth rides. Fernando Tapia, Niwot

Wheel Works manager since its opening in 2017, has been in the bike business his whole life. Tapia recommends a bike tune-up once a year, getting the chains looped once weekly, and checking and adjusting the air pressure before each ride.

It is good to remember to wear a helmet, bring a bottle of water, wear sunscreen and avoid mid-day on hot sunny days. The key to having a good time is obeying the trail rules and being patient and understanding, especially with older adults, mothers pushing strollers, and kids learning how to ride their bikes, because kindness is the secret ingredient to health and happiness.