Colorado Farm to City Wine and Food Trail
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 121.41 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,055 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 4,022 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,250 ft
- TrailRank
- 29
- Min elevation
- 4,960 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Coordinates
- 2678
- Uploaded
- September 28, 2017
- Recorded
- September 2017
near Highland Park, Colorado (United States)
Viewed 558 times, downloaded 0 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Colorado's Front Range has been known to turn first time visitors into natives. It's here where majestic, natural mountain landscapes begin where the sidewalks of city excitement end. Follow the Colorado Farm to City Wine & Food Trail to experience, discover and grow in a deeper way than the average Colorado sight-seer. Through this trail, you will connect personally with the people and land who create the local wines and products which you taste along the way. The trail offers an urban bike ride and scenic drives in the foothills of the Rock Mountains with stops to taste local wines, beers, spirits, cheeses and fresh farm produce along the route. Between stops, take in some views from the stunning Flatirons while working up an appetite on some moderate level hikes.You'll travel from the trendy and vibrant capital of Denver, a city which is at the pulse of the farm to table/glass movement to the outdoor lovers "gateway town to paradise", Boulder, ending with a cozy evening spent in an ecologically friendly tiny house near the quaint town of Lyons. This trail is for active and adventurous wine and food lovers looking to discover the range of what Colorado's Front Range has to offer. It is a manageable route for a long-weekend getaway with your wine-loving, beer-drinking, foodie friend or your special someone, who you know will appreciate each new flavor and uniquely Colorado experience as much as you!
HOW TO DO THE TRAIL:
DAY 1
Overnight in Denver, CO @ The Crawford Hotel
Dinner @ Mercantile Dining and Provision
Urban Wineries Bike Ride to: The Infinite Monkey Theorem, Crooked Stave and Balistreri Vineyards
Optional Stops along the Bike Route and Additional Attractions: Union Station Farmers Market, Nocturne, Denver Central Market, Truffle Table (short walk from hotel)
DAY 2
Overnight in Boulder, CO @ Basecamp Boulder
Dinner @ Black Cat Bistro
Scenic Drive to Boulder
Winery Visits to: Bookcliff Vineyards Tasting Room, Settembre Cellars and Redstone Meadery
DAY 3
Overnight in Lyons, CO @ WeeCasa
Dinner @ Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
Morning Hike from City of Boulder Chautauqua Park
Visits to: Black Cat Farm, Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy and Native Roots Dispensary
Scenic Drive to Lyons, CO from Longmont, CO
DAY 4
Trail ends back in Denver, CO
Morning hike @ Heil Valley Ranch
Scenic Drive to along the Front Range to Golden, CO
Visit Golden, CO downtown
Drive back to Denver, CO
PREPARE FOR THE TRAIL:
Accommodation: please make advanced reservations at the suggested accommodations according the dates of your trip. Book via accommodation website links which are included in the map details.
Bikes: you will need to rent or bring bikes for the urban wineries bike ride. The Denver public bike system B-Cycle is recommend. More information can be found here: https://denver.bcycle.com/
Car: you will need a car to follow the rest of the route from Denver. There are rental car options in downtown Denver at a walk-able distance from the Denver accommodation suggestion.
Reservations for Activities: some of the suggested activities required advanced reservations. Please check the provided attractions' websites in the details for each map marker in order to reserve your experiences and enjoy all the trail has to offer during your planned dates of travel.
No Drinking and Driving: please consume responsibly and abide by Colorado state laws. You may designate a driver or use a car or Taxi service to complete some of route.
Waypoints
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Balistreri Vineyards
A family-owned and operated winery handcrafting award-winning natural wines. Come and be welcomed by three generations of the Balistreri family who are active in the running of the tasting room, winemaking and winery kitchen. Taste the wines, join a free tour of the cellar and have a great lunch during your last stop on the urban bike ride leg of this route.
1946 E 66th Ave, Denver, CO 80229
+1 303-287-5156
balistreriwine.com
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The Infinite Monkey Theorem
The Infinite Monkey Theorem is an urban winery operated by one mad scientist working out of a back alley in the RiNo Art District of Denver. Located in the heart of one of the hippest neighborhoods in Denver, this is a "must experience" along the urban bike ride route. Sample wines from cans, kegs, bottles or even in slushy form. If you need a snack, you'll usually find a food truck offering tasty eats parked adjacent to the winery's patio.
3200 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
+1 303-736-8376
theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com
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Bookcliff Vineyards Tasting Room
Stop in to visit Bookcliff Vineyards Winery and Tasting Room and introduce your palate to some truly iconic Colorado wines. Owned and operated by a husband and wife team who is dedicated to producing outstanding, award-winning wines from 100% estate grown Colorado grapes, this is a must visit for newcomers to Colorado wine.
1501 Lee Hill Dr, Boulder, CO 80304
+1 303-449-9463
www.bookcliffvineyards.com
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Settembre Cellars
Conveniently located right next door to Bookcliff Vineyards Tasting room, pop over to taste some 'old-world' inspired wines with 100% Colorado origins. Continuing with the husband and wife team theme, Blake and Tracy, and their staff will introduce you to their wines of balance and nuance.
1501 Lee Hill Dr #16, Boulder, CO 80304
+1 303-532-1892
www.settembrecellars.com
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Redstone Meadery
This is not a typical winery, it is rather a meadery where Colorado honey wine is made with a 'natural philosophy' in mind. This is the perfect ending to a day of tasting Colorado wine. The wonderful honey wine will refresh your palate with its pleasing sweetness. Readstone Meadery is one of the most acclaimed in Colorado and is a hallmark for this fermented beverage.
4700 Pearl St #2A, Boulder, CO 80301
+1 720-406-1215
www.redstonemeadery.com
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Crooked Stave
This the perfect brewery for wine lovers! Specializing in 'sour beers' aged in oak barrels, Cooked Stave is unique and unlike what you are likely use to when it comes to beer. The higher acid and creative flavors found in their 'brett' induced beers appeal nicely to a wine-drinker's palate. Located in The Source, which is a converted warehouse now housing restaurants, a wine shop, cocktail bar, bakery, coffee roastery and a gourmet delicatessen, the location itself is a foodie paradise.
3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
+1 720-550-8860
www.crookedstave.com
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The Denver Central Market
Eat and drink to your heart's desire at The Denver Central Market. A converted, lovely historical building located in the bustling RiNo district of Denver serves as an indoor market which includes food stalls, and is complete with a hip cocktail bar. A great place to stop for a pick-me-up coffee or a bite eat anytime of day.
2669 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
thecentralmarketdenver.com
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Mercantile Dining and Provision
A quintessential farm to table restaurant in Denver's historical Union Station. Incredible restored architecture meets fresh local produce and flavors coming out of an open kitchen. It is highly recommended to dine at the 'Chef's Table' with a direct view of the action in the kitchen. This will be a meal remembered long after your Colorado adventure ends, so book your table now!
1701 Wynkoop St #155, Denver, CO 80202
+1 720-460-3733
mercantiledenver.com
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The Truffle Table
This is the locals' favorite wine bar. Specializing in cheeses imported directly from all over the world, plus an offering of fine Colorado produced cheeses. Enjoy a great view of the Highlands Neighborhood from this quaint bar. It is a spectacular walk from the suggested accommodation in Union Station on which you will cross two pedestrian bridges with phenomenal views of the Denver Skyline.
2556 15th St, Denver, CO 80211
+1 303-455-9463
truffletable.com
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Black Cat
The ideal restaurant for an evening spent in Boulder. This is a fine local establishment that sources its ingredients from its own organic farm located near Longmont, a short drive away. Black Cat offers an excellent wine list which includes many local wines from Colorado to choose from to accompany your meal. It is a true taste of Colorado.
1964 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
+1 303-444-5500
www.blackcatboulder.com
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Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
A classic Colorado brewery, a place to kick-back and get casual. After a day of hiking, its a great spot to sample some local beer and order some all-American fare. You will often catch some live music while you visit. Fill-up and chill-out in Lyons, Colorado.
303 Main St, Lyons, CO 80540
+1 303-823-6685
oskarblues.com
Monument
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Union Station Farmers Market
Browse and sample local products as you admire one of the finest historical buildings in Denver at the Union Station Farmers Market which is held on Saturdays from 9-2 pm, June - October. It is just outside the front door of the suggested Denver accommodation on this trail, The Crawford Hotel.
1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
+1 303-910-2236
www.bcfm.org
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Nocturne
A great little Jazz club with live bands playing nightly. Stop in and enjoy a craft cocktail shaken or stirred-up with a Colorado whiskey or other local distillate, there are plenty of options.
1330 27th St, Denver, CO 80205
+1 303-295-3333
www.nocturnejazz.com
Information point
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Black Cat Farm
An organic farm supplying Black Cat Bistro in Downtown Boulder. Schedule a tour of the farm to see just what farm to table really means before reserving your table at the bistro that same evening. This is Colorado Front Range produce at its finest.
Black Cat Farm, Niwot, CO 80503
Panorama
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City of Boulder Chautauqua Park
Moderate level hikes accessible from the town of Boulder which yield incredible views of the Front Range. Baseline Rd & 9th Street, Boulder, CO 80302 +1 303-441-3440 bouldercolorado.gov
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Native Roots Dispensary Longmont
It would be a close-minded oversight not to visit a dispensary when in Colorado. No matter if you indulge or not, it is worth it. And, even if only to observe, this slice of Colorado culture you shouldn't miss. Native Roots is one of the largest chains of dispensaries in the state, but it also supplies one of the best quality "bud-tending" experiences on offer. 19 S Sunset St, Longmont, CO 80501 +1 720-340-4870 www.nativerootsdispensary.com
Information point
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Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy
Discover all-natural, award-winning Colorado cheese at this locally owned and operated dairy that's been producing an internationally recognized, premium selection of handcrafted raw and pasteurized cheeses for 25 years. Catch a tour of the farm and facilities, or even schedule a cheese making class into your experience.
1121 Colorado Ave, Longmont, CO 80501
+1 720-494-8714
www.haystackgoatcheese.com
Summit
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Heil Valley Ranch
Moderate level hikes in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Longmont, CO 80503 www.bouldercounty.org
Waypoint
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Golden
Lyons to Golden is a gorgeous drive along the foothills. Skylines to one side and the Rockies on the other. Golden is home to the renowned Coors Brewery and boast a charming historical downtown. It is worth a stop to have a stroll down main street where you can grab a coffee, local beer or bite to eat. Coors also offers free brewery tours, if you want to see the pinnacle of how large-scale brewing.
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The Crawford Hotel
This is a "spendy" hotel option in Denver, however, it is worth the spend. Stay the night above Denver's Historical Union Station amid the trendiest and most delicious restaurants and cocktail bars in the state. 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202 +1 720-460-3700 www.thecrawfordhotel.com
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Basecamp Boulder
A fun hotel for the active traveler. There is a bouldering wall in the lobby, after which enjoying, you can crack-open a local beer on the house. 2020 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302 +1 303-449-7550 basecampboulder.com
Mountain hut
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WeeCasa
Spend the night at the base of the Rocky Mountains and in ecologically-friendly tiny house. This version of 'Glamping' is sure to please if you are looking for a fun alternative to hotels or air b&b, but don't have the gear to camp either. 501 W Main St, Lyons, CO 80540 +1 720-460-0239 weecasa.com
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