Breckenridge is a fun touristy mountain town and during winter the fabulous slopes offer prime skiing recreation, but the abundance of snow also provides ideal snowshoeing options. The Blue River Recpath accommodates the desires of visitors to get outside for quality hiking and biking. The path is a lso ideal for winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with a groomed surface across relatively flat terrain. The Blue River Recpath begins in the middle of Breck, a wide paved path that heads northward along Highway 9. A more remote access point is at the Gold Hill parking area about 3.5 miles north of town, beyond Tiger Road on the west side of the highway at Gateway Drive. Beyond the first highway underpass, the path enters a lovely stretch along the Blue River Arm of massive Lake Dillon. (Joe LaFleur) The Gold Hill lot provides convenient access to the path, making this a perfect spot for beginners to test drive snowshoes and skis. Hiking north from Gold Hill the first 1.5 miles of the trail follow close to the highway, but then it cuts left and crosses Alphensee Drive /County Road 974, where some roadside parking is available for trail access. The path enters a more natural setting and after about another quarter mile it swings back northward along the edge of meadows with a hilly backdrop. Bluebirds are an early returning migrant, and while snowshoeing here in mid-March I was lucky to see their stunning blue bodies contrasting the stark snowy landscape. After about another half mile the trail veers around a school then after about another quarter mile passes under Highway 9. About 1.5 miles north of the Gold Hill Trailhead the path cuts left away from the highway and enters a more natural setting along the edge of meadows with a hilly backdrop. (Joe LaFleur) Now on the east side of the highway, the path enters a lovely stretch along the Blue River Arm of massive Lake Dillon. The trail continues for about another half mile moving away from the road, then it cuts left and travels for about another half mile back to the highway and through another underpass. Beyond the first highway underpass, the path enters a lovely stretch along the Blue River Arm of massive Lake Dillon. (Joe LaFleur) Continue westward and onto the top of a narrow small ridge where wonderful views emerge to the west of Peaks 1 and 2 of the Tenmile Range. After about another .75 mile from the underpass the trail passes St. Anthony Summit Hospital, the turnaround point for this route. Note that trail access parking is allowed at the hospital from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the east end of the Visitor Parking area. Blue River Recpath is groomed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and the route has strategically placed highway underpasses along the way. (Joe LaFleur) Joe LaFleur has lived in Woodland Park since 2016 and is a hiking enthusiast that hits the trails weekly. He has successfully summited over 150 unique 13ers and 14ers in Colorado. Contact Joe with questions or feedback at [email protected]. Hiking is great exercise but can be hazardous. Always be sure to plan well, check the weather, bring a printed map, tell someone where and when you are going and contact them when you return safely. BEST TIMES TO VISIT: Year round TRAILS: Blue River Recpath LENGTH: About 8.5 miles out and back hike, about 750 feet elevation gain DIFFICULTY: Easy NOTES: For great trail info on Breck and Summit county visit: gobreck.com/go-breck/breckenridge-hiking-trails ...read more read less