If you’re seeking an easy but rewarding hike for kids in Golden, Colorado, Welch Ditch Trail deserves the spotlight. This trail can be completed in an hour with young kids. You can make it about 1 to 2 miles depending on the route you choose (loop or out and back). This enchanting trail, reopened in 2021, effortlessly weaves together the tales of the Old West with breathtaking natural beauty. Accessible from Highway 6, by driving west of Golden. Find convenient parking and restrooms at the new Clear Creek Canyon Park Tunnel 1 Trailhead and Parking Lot and the Peaks to Plains Trail. Welch Ditch Trail promises a manageable adventure that was suitable even for our spirited 3-year-old.
Looking for more adventure? See our 5 Epic Outdoor Adventures for Kids Near Within an Hour of Denver
Family Friendly Views
One of the trail’s standout features is its ability to provide cliffside views while ensuring the safety of little hikers. You can enjoy the breathtaking scenery without the worry of steep drop-offs or hazardous terrain. While it’s advisable to keep a close eye on your kids, the trail itself is well-guarded thanks to the wooden flume, making it an ideal adventure for children of all ages.
The trail boasts a gentle grade, mostly flat, with a couple of exceptions like the steep stairs at one end and a few steps near the Welch Ditch Bridge. Situated on the cusp of the foothills, this hike offers glimpses of quintessential Colorado, mimicking the heart of the Rockies. With Clear Creek roaring below and mountains enveloping the landscape, you’ll get a Rocky Mountain experience without venturing deep into the range.
A Historic Hike
This hike for kids in Golden intrigues its visitors with the wooden water flume that doubles as the trail. Named after Charles Welch, who constructed it in the 1870s to supply water to Golden and local farmers. This historic feature has been reconstructed for safe hiking.
Want to extend your hike? Discover more of Golden with our easy walking route for kids.
Plan a Route That Fits Your Family
For a less strenuous route, start your hike from the Welch Ditch Bridge. This is west of the Tunnel 1 parking lot along the Plains to Peak trail. You’ll want to hike approximately half a mile along the Peaks to Plains trail until you reach the iconic Welch Ditch Bridge. This serves as the official trailhead, where you’ll essentially backtrack along the creek, but this time from a vantage point high above, treating you to panoramic views of the creek and majestic mountains.
The flume section of the Welch Ditch Trail spans just another half mile. Here, you face a choice: descend the steep rocky stairs to the Plains to Peak trail, forming a loop back to the parking lot. Alternatively, opt for the safer route by turning around at the challenging rocky steps, transforming your hike into an out-and-back journey. While it sacrifices the loop, this option extends your hike, offering a different set of rewarding views on your return.
Address: Clear Creek Canyon Park Tunnel 1 Trailhead: 22122 US-6, Golden, CO 80403
Golden Hour
Our family-friendly adventure lasted exactly one hour—an ideal duration for the attention span and energy levels of our 3, 5, and 7-year-old explorers. Welch Ditch Trail, with its blend of safety, history, and scenic beauty, promises an unforgettable hike for kids in Golden Golden, Colorado.
Interested in more hikes? See what Golden has to say at visitgolden.com
