Boulder Skyline Traverse Hiking Guide | 18.9 miles, 6,100’ of elevation gain & 5 peaks!

I just moved to Boulder and I just completed the entire Boulder Skyline Traverse from South Boulder Peak to Mount Sanitas. It still feels surreal that this is my new home. Spending an entire day moving across the skyline felt like the perfect way to meet this place and settle into this new chapter.

I began on South Boulder Peak in the quiet morning light then climbed up through Shadow Canyon and tagged Bear Peak above the clouds. The ridge to Green Mountain felt dreamlike and the roll over Flagstaff led me into that final climb up Sanitas where the whole city opened up below me. This route made me fall in love with Boulder all over again.

My stats
Distance 18.9 miles
Elevation gain 6017 feet
Time 7 hours 39 minutes

A few things that helped me. Starting in South Boulder gives you the biggest climb first which makes the rest of the day flow. Trekking poles saved my legs on the steeper descents. AllTrails offline kept me on track through the transitions between the peaks. And the weather moved constantly which honestly made the day feel magical.

Finishing on Sanitas felt emotional. Seeing the entire skyline behind me and my new home below me made me so grateful for this life change. Boulder already feels like a place I can grow and evolve and completing this traverse so soon after arriving feels like the beginning of something really good 🤍

November 2025!