We run the trail from Breckenridge halfway and back. It was really enjoyable in the shaded forest. Some parts where rocky and tecnicaly moderate. The singel track is large enough for bikers, strollers and runners. Wish we could have made it to Frisco and taken the shuttle back, but we had not the time.
The Peaks Trail hugs the 10,000 foot line on a topo map. The trailhead is just east of Peak 7 base on Ski Hill road. It's popular, you may struggle to find parking. As you're below treeline you don't usually have a 'view', but that's not why I hike this trail--and it's one of my favorites. After a lot of hiking around Summit County, it's nice to have a flat trail with lots of beauty, and this trail has it. Flowers, creeks, bridges, gulches, views up and down the mountain. If you go far enough you will see a fairly steep descent into Frisco. If you want to stick to flat, turn around at that point. The descent takes you past a few very nice lakes and you can swim if you want. Remember that unless you dropped a second car in Frisco you'll need to turn around and hike all the way back. Which isn't that bad of a deal, especially if your last hike was a 14er.
We hiked the Peaks Trail from Breckenridge to Frisco during our recent family vacation, July 2014. It came about somewhat by accident. We were planning on hiking to the summit of Quandary Peak on this particular morning but woke up to lightning, thunder and showers. The storms pretty well dissipated by 8:00 AM but it was too late to start the Quandary ascent, especially since afternoon storms were predicted. Fortunately, we were able to reschedule and summited Quandary on a crystal clear morning later in the week.Peaks was on my list of possible hikes during our nine day visit but it was on the standby list. On this morning, we needed a substitute activity and so Peaks was the fist alternate. Interestingly based on two recent visits, not a lot of local folks seem to be familiar with this trail. We were lucky. The property we stayed at had a shuttle bus for nearby trips and the driver knew exactly where the trailhead was. He dropped us off right at the trailhead which is immediately adjacent to the Grand Lodge on Ski Hill Rd. Another alternative, take the Breck Connect gondola from town up to the base of Peak 8 and walk down Ski Hill Rd. to the trail head. That is a little more than a half mile easy walk but it will allow you to avoid driving a vehicle and leaving it at the trailhead. The gondola is free and fun.This is an easy walk if you are in reasonably good condition. It is more of a woodland hike but there are a number of clearings where you will enjoy sensational views of the Ten Mile Range. In mid July, a variety of wildflowers were in bloom along the trail. There are numerous stream crossings so you will enjoy the refreshing sights and sounds of recently melted snow moving down the mountain. Take your camera. You will have some nice opportunities. If you take the trail from Breck to Frisco, there is a net elevation drop of roughly 900'. You will encounter a few minor uphill sections but the net elevation drop makes this a friendly walk. For the most part, you are on a single track trail. There are a few sections with roots and rocks but that is the exception. My conclusion is that the trail is roughly 8 miles from the trailhead in Breck to the trailhead in Frisco. If you are walking to Main St. Frisco as we did, that adds approximately one more mile so say 9 miles total. We maintained a firm pace with several photo stops and made it to Main St. Frisco in about 3:15. We did three other hikes that also took approximately three hours of total time; McCullough Gulch, Mohawk Lakes and Mayflower Gulch. All of those were fantastic, each shorter than Peaks but all more strenuous than Peaks due to the elevation gain.In my opinion, this is an excellent acclimation walk especially if you are from the flat lands as we are. You will enjoy some great scenery and the get heart beat up without enduring too much stress. I saw a few runners and was envious. This would be an awesome trail run. You will probably see some mountain bikers. I always find it easier to simply step aside for them. They will appreciate it.Here is a possible half day itinerary. Take the gondola or other transportation and get to the Peaks trailhead in Breckenridge. Take the nice 3+ hour walk to Frisco. Have brunch/lunch at Butterhorn Bakery in Frisco then take the free Summit Stage bus back to Breckenridge. You can pick up a bus schedule in Breck or Frisco. It is easy, picks up at each stop every 30 minutes.This is really nice walk and I'm glad we had the opportunity to enjoy it. Hope you do as well.
This is a very accessible trail with good views of the town of Breckenridge and the surrounding mountains. It can be busy with mountain bikes in the summer, but it is a nice moderate trail that runs from Frisco to Breckenridge, with other access points along the way.
From the Peak 8 Base trailhead this trail is up and down for a few miles before it's steadily increases in altitude. If you're hiking you will encounter mountain bikers for that reason. But everyone "shares the road" in an amenable manner, on each hike we've made there over the years.
This is my favorite place to run in Breckenridge. I take the dogs and during the week there are not too many bikes on the trail. You can run to Frisco and back along this trail. There is water from streams for dogs along the way.
I ran an out and back from the Breckenridge nordic center to the top of the ridge between Breck and Copper Mountain. The views were absolutely spectacular once I got about 11k in elevation. Total mileage was just under 26. The Peaks trail itself was nice, in the woods, mellow. I was on the Peaks trail for about 12 miles total (out and back). A little boring, but with adding on the Miners Trail, it became a favorite run of all time for me. Complete report and photos here: http://jpchronicles.com/2014/08/11/trail-running-in-breckenridge/
We took the 1.5 hour trail ride through Breckenridge stables during our stay. The views were amazing, our trail guides were so informed and it was laid back .I would recommend this ride as a nice break in the action.
We arrived Breckenridge Saturday afternoon. Since it was early afternoon we thought it was a little too late to hit the slopes. Instead we decided to go snow shoeing instead. Fortunately for us, our niece lives in Breck and we were able to borrow her golden retriever to hike with us. It was a great hike, were we met many people and dogs. The terrain, for the most part is flat and there were many pleasant winter views. The trail appears to be a meeting spots for locals and tourists alike.
This is a wonderful trail. Leave your car at the base. Ride the Gondola up to Peak 7 (2nd to last stop) and walk two blocks to the other side of the Lodges at Peak 7 for the trail head. When the concrete stops and dirt road starts...there's the trail head.It's mostly downhill from Breck to Frisco. 7.79 miles. Great hike or good for mountain bikers. Secret Tip: just go one way. When you land in Frisco, ride the Free Summit Stage back to town. They'll even haul your bike back for you.Or go half way and when you return, take the gondola back to the base. No need to park your car at the trail head with 50 other cars. SOOOOO easy.