Devil’s Backbone Trail
View of Devil's Backbone from the trailhead parking lot
The Devil’s Backbone trail is a short loop near the canyon leading up to Estes Park from Loveland Colorado. In recent years it has been expanded to include paved sections, bridges, restrooms and a connection to the Fort Collins foothill trails.
Devil’s Backbone provides excellent views of the Rocky Mountains and the foothills towards Loveland, specifically Nemaqua Hill. Towards the end of the trail on the upper part of the loop there is a resting spot with benches and rocks situated inside of a giant keyhole. The wind whips through this keyhole and provides a refreshing chill on hotter days.
- Official Site
- Dogs leashed at all times
- Restrooms and Drinking Fountain at trailhead
- Horses and Bikes Allowed
- No permit or fee required to hike!
Easy to moderate. Trail length is currently 7 miles long, round trip, and unpaved. The Backbone Trail loop (3.5 mi.) has marked stops that coordinate with an interpretive brochure. The Keyhole trail is closed seasonally in the spring to accommodate nesting ravens. The Devil’s Backbone Open Space protects wildlife habitat, a rare plant community and provides for expanded recreational activities. Its focal point, a unique rock formation featuring The Keyhole, is easily spotted from many locales. The Devil’s Backbone is located off Hidden Valley Drive, approximately 2 miles west of the intersection of Wilson and Eisenhower in Loveland. It is a very popular spot, so if you should arrive and find the parking lot full you will know that the trails are at maximum capacity. Please consider one of our other open spaces, such as Ramsay-Shockey Open Space or Rimrock Open Space for your outdoor enjoyment that day, and come back to the Devil’s Backbone another time.
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- View of Devil’s Backbone from the trailhead parking lot
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2010-06-23
21:36:02
This is a great hike that's close to the city. The trails is well maintained and it has great scenery of the valley on one side and foothills on the other. There is only one problem with the beautiful hike, and that is going out there too late at night. I went out after I got off work because it was a clear, 92 degree day. I only got through the Hunter's Loop, before I decided I should probably turn around to avoid the critters coming out to warm up on the rocks. Well, I was a little too late. The path was two and a half feet wide with three foot high grass on both sides and greeting me were two rattlesnakes, coiled and feisty!! Luckily, I was training for hikes later this summer so I had my hiking pole and backpack to protect me as I passed the snakes. My biggest advice for this hike...don't go unprepared when the sun goes behind the backbone. Still, a great hike!!
2010-06-23
21:37:46
I started the hike at 6 pm and the sunset was 8:47 on the day I was there.