One of the best ways to experience Golden's gorgeous mountain scenery is getting out on the trail, and it's especially one of the best things to do in the fall.
Hiking and biking are big here much of the year, but today we're talking about one of our favourite fall activities: trail running.
The valley sits nestled between the Rockies and the Selkirk Mountains, so the area offers runners literally hundreds of trails and tons of variety among them: along ridges and rivers, through forests, into the alpine, even right in downtown Golden. Better yet, over 100 kilometres (62 miles) of trail are accessible by foot from town—and that's not accounting for hundreds of additional trails in Yoho or Glacier National Park, both nearby!
The TransRockies GOLDEN ULTRA brings runners to town every September for a 3-day stage race or one-day ultra race, but it typically sells out months in advance. If you miss registration or you're visiting later in the season, you still have several options.
Rotary Trail
One major perk of trail running in Golden is that you don't need to leave town to enjoy it. The flat, wide Rotary Trail system spans 14 kilometres (8.7 miles), with one main 10-kilometre (6.2 miles) natural surface loop running alongside the Kicking Horse River, plus several spur paths. Starting in mid-September, it's easy to see why fall is a great time for trail running. These trails also link to the CBT Mainline and Mountain Shadows trail networks, for those who want to extend their run. The local Rotary Club maintains the main trail year-round, so you can enjoy a run even when there's snow—or ice—on the ground.
Although there are several access points, we recommend starting at Spirit Square, near the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge. This puts you right downtown, convenient for a pre-run snack or coffee, or refuelling with post-run beers afterward.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
KHMR is widely known for its epic, steep, and rugged ski runs. Fortunately, those same runs become just-as-epic trails popular with runners, hikers, and mountain bikers when the snow melts.
In fact, locals will tell you exploring the mountain's trails on foot is one of the best things to do in fall in Golden. Not only is the annual foliage show stunning, but the resort is blissfully uncrowded in this quiet season. It's the perfect time to book an on-mountain getaway and enjoy perks like lodge rooms with private hot tubs and complimentary binoculars and bear spray for your runs. Dogtooth Ridge and It's a Ten are popular options, but take a look at trail maps and piece together your own custom run.
Mountain Shadows
Sitting at the base of Mount 7 and spanning its lower slopes, the Mountain Shadows trail network comprises several short, steep, technical single-track trails with lots of hills for flow. With that description, it should come as no surprise that mountain biking is just as popular here as trail running—stay extra alert while running and yield to cyclists.
If you combine all the network's trails, you can get about 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) in. Looking for something a bit shorter? Park at the Keith King Memorial Ball Diamonds and check out 7 Up (accessible via the Rotary Trail), park at Reflection Lake to access Selkirk Slacker via Rodeo Drive, or hit Golden Two-Four.
Schacher Trail
Mount 7 has long been associated with paragliding and hang gliding, two popular things to do in Golden for adrenaline junkies. Extreme mountain biking, too, as the infamous Psychosis downhill race (the name says it all) is held here. In other words, this mountain has always been for the extremists. But not anymore. Shacher Trail, pronounced "Shocker," the newest in Golden, spans 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) up Mount 7 to the main glider launch site. Enjoy ridge running and several thoughtfully-designed trail features, including bridges and log jumps.
Moonraker Trails
Moonrakers is Golden's most extensive network of trails, with over 50 kilometres' worth (over 31 miles) encircling a number of lakes. It sounds cliché, but there's a trail for every type of runner here, from short and easy to flowy and highly technical.
A fantastic, approachable five-kilometre (3.1-mile) loop to start with is Barking Dog to Cedar Camp to North Star, then back to the road along Arrowhead. As a major bonus, you can take a post-run dip in one of the Cedar Lakes in hotter months.
Insider tip: Cedar 1 and Cedar 2 are the best for swimming.
CBT Mainline Network
Whether you call it the CBT (which stands for Columbia Basin Trust Network), the Mainline, or something else entirely, this is one of the most popular places for trail running in Golden. The trail system's quick access from downtown (you can get to trailheads via the Rotary Trail from Spirit Square or drive yourself), connectivity to Moonrakers, and quality of well-maintained, varied trails make it perennially popular. Just about every trail here has a long, steady climb, but there are plenty of shorter options.
One of the most popular is eight kilometres (five miles), "Classic Short," combining Mighty Quin, Gold Rush, and Take it Easy. For a major challenge, you can double that by adding Old Age and Treachery to your loop at the top. Like other popular trails in the area, bicyclists favour the CBT Mainline, as well, so pay extra attention and share the trail.
Scalli-Mag Trail
Named for local avid runner and director of the Golden Ultra race, Magi Scallion, this popular eight-kilometre (five-mile) path recently got some major upgrades. Multiple sections of fresh single-track replaced old double track, making uphill stretches easier and more enjoyable for both trail running and bicycling. The trail starts at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort off of Palliser Trail, connecting the Moonraker and CBT trail networks.
