3.2 km away
Red Cliffs and Kestrel Loop
A short and scenic loop with views over the city and some colorful geology.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 5 km
- Ascent
- 143 m
- Descent
- 143 m
A hiker-only trail with gorgeous views and lessons on nature in the Boise Foothills.
Hiking Moderate
With most of the foothills trails open to mountain bikes, and some even open to motorized use, it's nice to have a trail that's designated only for pedestrians. What's even better about this one is that it's really never crowded, thanks to its length and its position higher in the hills away from town. Hike a ways on this trail, and you are pretty much guaranteed a solitary experience in nature.
Over the course of the trail it gains quite a bit of elevation, but the incline is gradual for the most part. You could lessen the mileage by hiking a shorter out and back, or by using two vehicles and shuttling for a one-way hike. Keep in mind that the dirt road is rather rough, however, and maybe not suitable for all cars.
The trail follows the creek of Hull's Gulch, which flows with water from snowmelt in winter and spring. The rest of the year it's usually dry, but always supports a lot of greenery in the gulch. This foliage, along with surrounding hillside prairie and granite boulders, make excellent habitat for wildlife. Among the wildflowers and rock formations you're sure to see a variety of insects, and you may also see larger residents like birds of prey, mule deer, or coyotes. There are many interpretive signs along the path that explain facts about geology, history, and ecology of the area as well.
Note that there is more than one way to access this trail. As mapped here, it begins from the large parking area along Sunset Peak Road. Alternatively, you could start from a pullout a bit farther up the road, or from the upper trailhead which is much farther up the road. You could even make a longer hike by starting with Lower Hull's Gulch instead.
Source: https://www.ridgetorivers.org/
Moderate
Hiking along trails with some uneven terrain and small hills. Small rocks and roots may be present.
3.2 km away
A short and scenic loop with views over the city and some colorful geology.
Easy Hiking
3.3 km away
A nicely varied loop in the foothills near downtown, through a sheltered creek valley and across panoramic slopes.
Moderate Hiking
4.1 km away
Scenic loop with steep hills and shady forest in the North End of Boise.
Moderate Hiking
4.1 km away
A short loop with a lot of variety, and different sights for every season.
Easy Hiking
4.5 km away
Hike uphill to nice views from both sides of a ridge near downtown Boise.
Moderate Hiking
4.5 km away
Short and easy hike among prairie and forest near a little creek.
Easy Hiking
4.5 km away
A loop with some elevation gain and varied scenery, using Ridge Crest and Central Ridge trails
Moderate Hiking
5.1 km away
A scenic jaunt close to downtown, in a network of many popular trails.
Moderate Hiking
5.4 km away
Walk through a deep canyon in the Boise Foothills, beside a rare perennial stream.
Moderate Hiking
5.4 km away
Boise's #1 hike, plus bonus scenery by making the loop.
Difficult Hiking
10 routes · Hiking
10 routes · Hiking