Best Fall Hikes in Breckenridge

The Best Fall Hikes in Breckenridge

Top 5 Leaf Peeping Hikes in Breckenridge

Laurel Coffman / Updated August 26, 2025

Fall in Breckenridge is like nothing else, with crisp mountain air and golden aspen leaves shimmering in the sun. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the great outdoors, you need not hike long or far to discover the best views and brightest leaves. Don’t forget to green commute, pack out all trash, respect others on the trail, and avoid wildlife!

1. Aspen Alley

Length: 2.6 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Information: This aptly named trail is full of aspens that turn a brilliant yellow during peak fall. Along the way, you’ll discover old mining ruins and stunning views of Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Ten Mile Range. With steep switchbacks, this is a popular spot for mountain bikers, so be sure to be on the lookout for bikers blazing downhill. Park at either the top of Boreas Pass Road or the bottom at the Sawmill Museum.

2. Iowa Hill

Length: 0.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

The Iowa Hill trail offers an easy way to step into Breckenridge’s rich mining history. This family-friendly loop is less than a mile long, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of aspen groves, take photos, and discover what life was like for miners in Breckenridge more than 100 years ago.

3. B&B Trail

Length: 2.9 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Information: This family-friendly hike is full of history, mountain views and mining relics, including a sunken dredge boat. You can easily loop this to the Minnie Mine with a slight uphill climb that gives you panoramic views. This is a must-see as the valley becomes blanketed in fall colors.

4. Rainbow Lakes

Length: 2.6 miles

Difficulty: Easy

The Rainbow Lake trail offers some of the most stunning views in Summit County. This one-hour hike leads adventurers through alpine beauty and rewards them with the serene sight of a sparkling mountain lake.

3. B&B Trail

Length: 19.8 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Information: Boreas Pass Road is the perfect place to not only see the leaves but also take in some amazing views of the Tenmile Range. You can easily drive this dirt road or enjoy it by bike or foot. From the road, you can access a plethora of hiking trails to get a close-up view of the leaves along the way.

Searching for Fall Lodging?

Look no further. We’ve got the scoop on the best resorts with pools and views plus deals for your fall escape.

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Breckenridge International Festival of Arts 2025 is Here!

BIFA 2025: Art, Air, and a Whole Lot of Awe in Breckenridge

August in Breckenridge means blue skies, alpine trails, and the return of one of our favorite summer traditions, the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA). While Breck might be known for the beautiful blank canvas of snow that falls in the winter time, from Aug. 15–24, downtown and the surrounding trails come alive with mind-bending art, outdoor performances, and unexpected moments of magic.

One of this year’s highlights? SPARK. This isn’t your average light show or even fireworks. Artist Daan Roosegaarde brings thousands of floating, biodegradable sparks into the night sky—like watching stars drift through the air. It’s totally silent, totally mesmerizing, and happens just three nights only, Aug. 15–17, outside the Riverwalk Center. Pro tip: bring a blanket, get cozy on the lawn and settle in for some stargazing reimagined.

And while SPARK lights up the night, Trail Mix brings the beat to the backcountry. As you wander through local trails, you’ll stumble upon live music and pop-up performances tucked into the trees. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure hike with a soundtrack—surprising, soulful, and very Breck.
BIFA 2024

Need a moment to find your center? Don’t miss Acoustic Flow, the ultimate mashup of yoga and live music on the Arts District lawn. Flow through a gentle practice as local musicians set the tone. It’s the kind of morning that makes you forget you ever owned an alarm clock.

Of course, all this artistic adventure pairs perfectly with a stay at the Grand Colorado on Peak 8. Just steps from the action—and the gondola—it’s a luxury, Slopeside home base with pools, hot tubs, and mountain views that make it hard to leave. Whether you’re heading into town or winding down after a day of festival fun, it’s the perfect spot to stay grounded.

This year’s BIFA is all about connection—between art and nature, sound and movement, you and the mountains. Come for the lights, stay for the vibes. See you on the trail.

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Best Burgers in Breckenridge

Staying and playing at 9,600 feet above sea level can definitely work up an appetite. And when you have high altitude “hanger”, there’s only one thing that’ll suffice: a big, juicy hamburger. With so many delicious restaurants to try in Breckenridge, you don’t want to suffer paralysis by analysis, let the Best of Breckenridge team help guide you towards the best hamburger in town.

This became a hotly debated topic at Best of Breck HQ, so we had to make this a team edition blog and call out multiple burgers in Breckenridge for you to try. So, without further ado, here are the best hamburgers you can find in Breckenridge, Colorado:

Au French Onion Burger
Restaurant: Aurum
Chosen by: Lauren

The French Onion Burger at Aurum easily earns its place on our list of the best burgers in Breckenridge. This savory standout layers caramelized onion jam, gruyère, roasted garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato, and house made pickles for a flavor combination that’s anything but ordinary. Served with crisp house fries, it’s a guest favorite we think about long after the last bite. Even better? You’ll find it on the happy hour menu daily 4–6 p.m. at a discounted price.

 

The Western Burger
Restaurant: Empire Burger
Chosen by: Chris

The Western Burger delivers a bold, satisfying bite with a balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors. The BBQ sauce pairs well with the sharp cheddar and savory Applewood bacon, while the mustard adds just enough zing to cut through the richness. Grilled onions and pickles round things out with a bit of crunch. It leans a little heavy overall, but the flavor payoff is well worth it. The crispy hand-cut fries and mango chutney sauce were a table favorite.

The Gold Pan Burger
Restaurant: The Gold Pan Saloon
Chosen by: Cody

An un-bunned Gold Pan Burger and garlic herb fries

Recommended to me by Emmily on the Best of Breck team, I had to try this burger out since I love all of the food that is served at the Gold Pan and frequently get lunch their with Bec. This is the the best burger served up at a more casual dining spot in Breckenridge. The tender bacon belly and, sautéed onions and blue cheese add a twist and bold flavor to this good portioned size meal. Throw  a heaping side of garlic herb fries on that and you might be taking some of this delicious dining experience to go.

The Rootstalk Burger
Restaurant: Rootstalk
Chosen by: Cody

 

Take the structure and what would seem to be the same composition of one of the most famous fast food burgers out there and let a James Beard Award winning chef remix it. Despite my teammates tastes, this is undeniably the best burger in Breck. The artisan potato bun is fluffy while still having some substance and has he perfect amount of sesame seeds, the quarter pound patty is delicious, lean Colorado sourced beef, and the griddled onion packing a savory flavorful punch. This gem of meal comes with perfectly timed out of the fryer fries and takes everything you love about a classic burger to the next level. Only available on the happy hour menu so make sure you are planning on visiting between 4-5pm.

The One Red Door
Restaurant: Flip Side
Chosen by: Bec

The One Red Door Burger at Flip Side Breck is all about bold, balanced flavor. The crispy shallots give it a nice crunch, the brie melts perfectly over the patty, and the bacon date aioli adds just the right mix of sweet and smoky. It’s juicy, rich, and a little messy in the best way. This tasty burger is definitely one of the more memorable burgers in Breckenridge.

 

The McFatty
Restaurant: Fatty’s Pizzeria
Chosen by: Andy

the McFatty burger from Fatty's Pizzeria

Fatty’s, a beloved local watering hole since 1975, offers a variety of burger options. We tested the Mushroom and Swiss and McFatty burgers and both were excellent. With toasted buns and a delicious special sauce on the McFatty, these burgers are exceptionally delicious and the perfect complement to a day spent outdoors. Pro tip – keep your eye out for local legend Trygve Berge (co-founder of Breckenridge Ski Resort)  who frequents Fatty’s on a weekly basis.

Is your mouth watering yet? We’re ready for dinner right now after recapping all these great burgers found in Breckenridge. If you’re looking to stay in Breck after chowing down or grill out yourself at some of Breckenridge’s best resort locations, lettuce share some bun-believable exclusive lodging offers with you!

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