Cougar Trail–Hidden Star Trail Loop, 5 sights

4.6 mi · ▲ 248 ft · 1 hr 39 min

Cougar Trail–Hidden Star Trail Loop, 5 sights is a 4.6-mile loop near Niwot, CO. It is mostly level, with 248 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi5,109 – 5,355 ft5.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Niwot Loop Trail 40.08913, -105.16838
Nearest town Niwot, CO

Directions

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Cougar Trail–Hidden Star Trail Loop, 5 sights

4.6 mi · ▲ 248 ft · 1 hr 39 min

Elevation 5,107–5,355 ft

Loop

Trailhead: Niwot Loop Trail · 40.08913, -105.16838

Weather Sep 4: Clear, high 93°F / low 59° · precip 4% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:32 AM · sunset 7:29 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  3. 50 ftBear left onto Niwot Loop Trail, heading N.
  4. 0.1 miTurn right onto Somerset Trail, heading E.
  5. 1 miTurn left, heading E.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  7. 150 ftBear left onto Legend Ridge Loop, heading NE.
  8. 0.6 miTurn left onto Niwot Hills Trail, heading E.
  9. 0.6 miTurn right onto Niwot Loop Trail, heading N.
  10. 150 ftSharp left onto Cougar Trail, heading N.
  11. 0.7 miSharp right onto Niwot Loop Trail, heading W.
  12. 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 0.2 miBear left onto Hidden Star Trail, heading SE.
  14. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  15. 350 ftTurn left, heading W.
  16. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  17. 0.7 miTurn right onto Niwot Loop Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
  19. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  20. 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

79% gravel9% dirt9% paved3% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 93°F59°
Precip4%Wind5 mphUV7Humidity22%
Hourly temperature
95°55°
Sunrise 6:32 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:29 PM
Sat 94°65°
Sun 91°64° 26%
Mon 92°66° 30%
Tue 88°61° 20%
Wed 89°56° 22%
Thu 96°57° 25%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~42 min). Leave by 6:27 PM for the 7:29 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Niwot Loop Trail Trailhead