Sure, the wide open prairies filled with tumbleweed, antelope and foothills may be calling your name, but if you aren't ready to get out your trekking poles or belay off the edge of a crag, the idea of hiking outdoors could make you apprehensive.

But being this close to the Front Range? It seems like a crime not to get outdoors and taste a little bit of what Mother Nature has to offer--which is why we've put together the best hiking trails for beginners near Cheyenne.

All are kid- and pet-friendly, and can be done easily in one day without making you soak your peds right after.

  1. Cheyenne Greenway Trail, City of Cheyenne. 37 miles long, and runs through much of the City including Sun Valley, Western Hills, Historic Downtown, Harmony Meadows, LCCC , the Pointe, and near Frontier Mall. Bikes and pedestrians are welcome. The Greenway can be accessed from any number of points along the City.
  2. Turtle Rock Trail, Vedauwoo, Medicine Bow National Forest. 3 miles long. Trail goes in a large circle around a rock shaped like a--you guessed it--turtle. Trailhead starts in the main parking lot. Bikes and pedestrians are welcome. Hit up the trail by heading west on I-80 and taking the Vedauwoo exit. Signs will point you to the trailhead.
  3. Headquarters National Recreation Trail, Medicine Bow National Forest5 miles long. Known for ease of access, the trail starts at the Laramie/I-80 Summit and winds its way down to Headquarters Road. Beautiful scenery through Sherman Mountains. Bikes and pedestrians welcome. Head west on I-80 and veer off when you see Lincoln's head at the Summit Rest Area.
  4. Shoreline Trail, Curt Gowdy State Park. 2.6 miles long. $4 daily fee. One of the most popular trails in Curt Gowdy, this one is really quite wide and travels around Granite Springs Reservoir. Bikes and Pedestrians welcome. To get there, head West on HWY 210 until you see the signs for Curt Gowdy State Park.
  5. Crow Creek Trail, Curt Gowdy State Park1.8 miles long. $4 daily fee. Marked as easy-to-moderate for hikers and mountain bikers, the draw to this particular trail is the waterfall on the west end. Picturesque doesn't begin to cover it. To get there, head West on HWY 210 until you see the signs for Curt Gowdy State Park.
  6. Towhee Loop, Soapstone Natural Area, Fort Collins. 3 miles long. Trail goes in a small circle and passes near Lindmeier Outlook, which boasts breathtaking views. Pedestrians only. To get to the entrance station, head north on HWY 1. Turn left on County Road 15. Travel north and turn right on Rawhide Flats Road. Entrance station is 6 miles down the way.
  7. Mahogany Loop, Soapstone Natural Area, Fort Collins. Literally a hop-skip-and-jump away from Towhee Loop, this trail is 6.4 miles long. Bikes and pedestrians welcome. The travel weaves you in and out of mountainous areas in the Mahogany Shrublands. Bring a pack--you might find some gorgeous rock for your garden.
  8. Poudre Trail, Fort Collins10.10 miles. This trail offers a scenic walk around the Poudre River and is mostly paved. Bikes and pedestrians welcome. Hikers and walkers can enter at Lyons Park (a branch of the Overland Trail) and the Environmental Learning Center at East Drake.

While these are only a few of the trails available for the amateur hiker, there's not a reason to get out and explore. Just ensure you have a GPS handy, you let someone know what trail you're going on and what time you're expected to be done, and bring water!

Did we miss a favorite trail? Let us know your favorite trail in the comments!

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