If you have been waiting for the snow to clear and the mud to firm up, we have good news. Most of the trails around Loveland are finally in shape again, and the last few customers coming through the shop have been asking the same question: where's a good place to start?
So we figured we would put together a quick local's guide. Not a checklist — just a conversation, the way you'd get it standing at the counter.
Devil's Backbone, Right in Our Backyard
If you have lived here a while, you already know Devil's Backbone. If you're newer to Loveland, this is the one we always send people to first. The Wild Loop is about two miles, mostly flat, and gives you that iconic sandstone view without asking much of your legs. A great way to knock the rust off after a winter of shorter indoor walks.
Parking fills up by 9 a.m. on weekends this time of year, so aim early or wait until late afternoon. And bring layers — spring weather here still swings twenty degrees in an afternoon.
Bobcat Ridge When You're Ready for More
Once you have a few shorter walks under your belt, Bobcat Ridge is the next step up. The D.R. Loop runs around four miles with real elevation change, and the views down into Masonville are some of our favorites in the area. You'll feel it the next day — in a good way.
That next-day soreness is exactly what the GoodLeaf 2300mg Almond Honey Pain Butter ($70) was built for. It is Colorado-made, smells like a bakery, and a lot of our regulars rub it into their calves and knees right after a longer hike. Folks say it takes the edge off without the menthol burn of other creams.
The Poudre Trail If You'd Rather Stay Flat
Not every spring day calls for elevation. The Poudre Trail between Windsor and Fort Collins is paved, shaded in stretches, and works for walking, running, or a slow bike ride. It's the move when your knees are asking for a break or when you just want to put some miles in without thinking about altitude.
A quick note on hydration — spring in Northern Colorado is dry. Throw a couple of Rocky Mountain Soda ($2.50) cans in your pack for the ride home. They're Colorado-crafted, CBD-infused, and they taste like an actual treat instead of a supplement.
The Little Things We See People Forget
Sunscreen, obviously. But the one most folks miss is lip balm. The wind off the foothills will wreck your lips in an afternoon, and nobody packs it in April because it is not cold out. The Secret Wellness ReLeaf CBD Lip Balm ($6) lives in a side pocket of our own pack year-round. Small, works, and at six bucks it is an easy grab.
Stop In Before the Weekend
If you are planning a hike this weekend and want us to help you put together a small kit — something for after the trail, something for during — come by the shop. We'll walk through what makes sense for what you have got planned. No pressure, no upsell. Just honest recommendations from folks who hike the same trails you do.
See you out there.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
