The park is home to a slew of fantastic trails, but many of them combine into shorter routes or out-and-backs. If you're looking for a loop hike or run but don't want to tackle the full 13-mile big loop, this shorter 4.6-mile loop on the Black Bear and Horseshoe trails is just the ticket!

This gorgeous loop offers varied terrain ranging from steep mountainsides, towering pine forests, whispering aspen groves, wide-open meadows, and panoramic views from high points.

The loop begins at a lower trailhead near the junction of Golden Gate Canyon Road and Crawford Gulch Road. From there, it climbs quickly on the Black Bear trail, topping out at a beautiful overlook high on the ridge. The loop then takes a few right turns to reach the Horseshoe Trail, following a narrow valley back down the mountainside.

While this loop might be short, it packs a stiff 1,200 vertical feet of climbing into its short 4.6-mile distance!

Sources: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/goldengateCanyon https://www.visitgolden.com/outdoors/parks/golden-gate-canyon-state-park/ https://www.uncovercolorado.com/state-parks/golden-gate-canyon/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldenGateCanyonStatePark