Hike New Castle's Trails
In Town Trails
Colorow Trail: The Colorow trail, named for the Ute Chief Colorow, makes a loop of approximately three miles through BLM land. There are two trailheads, with a roughly laid-out trail through town connecting them. One trailhead is on Lariat Loop, in the northwest corner of Castle Valley Ranch. To reach the other, take North Wild Horse Drive to Buckskin Circle, then turn onto Mustang Trail. Hike up to the water tower and find the trail behind it. Most of the trail is not too difficult, though there are some challenging sections. Don’t miss the overlook turnoff on the eastern side of the trail. The short spur opens up to a panoramic view of Lakota Canyon Ranch and the hills beyond.
Grand River Trails and Park: New Castle’s newest park, located south of the Colorado River, features an interpretive trail around its perimeter. The trail provides a great way to view the river, wetlands, birds and mountains.
Mt. Medaris Trail: Mt. Medaris is the approximately 600’ rise that separates historic downtown New Castle from the newer development to the north. For easiest access to the trail, take C Avenue north from Main Street to the trailhead parking lot. For an easy hike with no climbing, keep to your right and skirt the southern edge of Castle Valley Ranch. If you drove to the parking lot, you’ll need to retrace your steps. Otherwise you can exit the trail at the west end near New Castle’s senior housing. To hike the ridge of the mountain, take the first branch of the trail to the left. After a short steep climb, you’ll get to the top and can view both the old section of New Castle and the newer development. At the west end of the mountain there is a difficult route down toward the trail that leads to the senior housing complex. It’s easier to retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
Rollie Gordon Trail: Enter at Rollie Gordon Park on 7th Avenue. The trail parallels Elk Creek in both directions.
South Wildhorse Trail: One of New Castle’s many paved trails for hiking and bicycling. It stretches between the Hogback Skate Park on Castle Valley Boulevard and Pyramid Drive.
Map of Trails New Castle Colorado
Wilderness Trails
Cherry Creek Trail: From New Castle, take 7th Street/Midland to the Buford Road (CR 245). Look for the Cherry Creek trailhead sign about a mile after the dirt road begins. The trail is challenging for hikers and mountain bikers. Go north to Spring Cow Camp (4.5 miles) and follow the trail west about 1 mile then turn to the south to find the Mansfield Trail. At this point, you will be 5 miles from the Mansfield Trailhead.
East Elk Creek: The trail along East Elk Creek is New Castle’s hidden treasure. The first mile-and-a-half is along a jeep road, an easy hike in and out, with plenty of beautiful views of the creek. At the bridge that crosses the creek the real trail begins. So does the climbing. The trail extends 18 miles to the top of the Flattops. Assuming you’re not going that far, remember that when you turn around, you have to retrace the same distance you’ve already walked. To reach the trail, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). About 1.2 miles from Castle Valley Boulevard’s intersection with the Buford Road, take the right branch of the Y onto East Elk Road (CR 241). The road becomes progressively more primitive, but keep going about 4.3 miles until you reach the parking lot.
Hadley Gulch Trail: Hike five miles into the Flat Tops on the Hadley Gulch Trail, which is rated moderate to difficult. Take 7th Street/Midland north. At the edge of town it becomes the Buford Road/CR 245. Approximately three miles from town, turn right onto Main Elk Road (CR 243). After about six miles the paved road ends and you’ll see the parking lot for Hadley Gulch trail on the left side of the road. The first half mile crosses private property, so please obey the posted signs. As the trail enters the gulch, the terrain becomes steep and rocky. The elevation gain is 3,526 ft.
Storm King: The Storm King Memorial Trail was established after 14 firefighters lost their lives fighting the misnamed South Canyon fire in July, 1994. The trailhead can be reached from New Castle by driving east on Colorado Route 6 (Main Street in town) past Canyon Creek to the trailhead at the termination of the road (about five miles from New Castle). The trail follows the firefighters’ route and is considered strenuous. About a mile in there is an observation point that overlooks the scene of the fire. About a mile further on you can find the memorials on the sites where the firefighters died. More information about the trail is available at the trailhead.
