5 Thrilling Outdoor Activities in Breck
Find Some Thrills In Breck
If Breckenridge is on your travel radar, you're likely already a fan of adrenaline-pumping outdoor sports like skiing and snowboarding. However, thrilling adventures await in Breck year-round. Whether you're looking to scale a cliffside on the Via Ferrata in Buena Vista or take in stunning mountain views while off-roading, there’s no shortage of excitement.
Today, we’ll dive into some of the most heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping adventures you can find in Breckenridge, Colorado.
#1: Whitewater Rafting
There’s nothing better than racing down a fast-flowing river on a gorgeous summer day, dodging boulders and tumbling down waterfalls. Whitewater rafting is not for the faint of heart, but there’s few adventure activities in Breck that will get your heart pumping more than a guided trip down one of the many rivers in the area.
For beginners, check out the Upper Colorado for some Class 2 rapids that won’t be too challenging. However, if you’re looking for the most advanced and gnarly rapids you can find, check out the Arkansas River, which contains some of the most thrilling Class 5 waters you’ll find in the area.
#2: Rock Climbing
Do you love scrambling up and down cliffs and rock faces, with only ropes to secure you from falling? The area surrounding Breckenridge has plenty of opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts, whether you’re looking for a guided adventure or a solo climb.
If you’re a beginner, don’t miss out on the Granite Via Ferrata in Buena Vista, which offers a unique guided climbing experience lined with ladders, cables, and other aids to get you through the route. For those who are looking for some sport climbing, head over to Tenmile Canyon, which offers a variety of challenging climbing routes, or check out the Royal Flush near Frisco.
#3: Off-Roading
Offroading might be bumpy, but it allows you to explore routes that you never would’ve been able to in a traditional vehicle. If you’re a fan of offroading adventures, you’ll run into the jackpot in Breckenridge, which has a ton of trails that range from easy to technical.
For first-timers offroading in Breck, one of the most popular routes in the area is Boreas Pass Road. This 20-mile trek takes you through gorgeous stands of aspen and pine trees, offering incredible views of Quandry Peak and Mount Baldy, before ending in the small town of Como. During the fall, this off-roading route is one of the best places to catch sight of the changing leaves, offering endless scenic vistas ripe for photography. Those looking for a more technical route will enjoy Wise Mountain, which winds over 14 miles of moderate trail and provides a chance to see some wildlife during your drive.
#4: Dog Sledding
If you’re visiting Breck in the wintertime and can’t get all of your thrills from skiing or snowboarding alone, there’s another unique adventure you can check out: dog sledding. Good Times Adventures offers visitors the opportunity to take an hour and a half tour through the backcountry of the Swan River Valley.
Although you won’t get to ride in the sled the entire way, it’s hard to beat the experience of rushing through the snowy landscape by way of a group of Siberian Huskies. Plus, you’ll have ample time to meet the dogs before your tour begins, so don’t forget to pack some treats for your furry friends.
For those visiting during the warmer months, Good Times Adventures also offers a summer tour. Meet the dogs, tour the kennel, and join the Huskies on a 2-mile exercise run in a golf cart through the gorgeous mountains.
#5: Mountain Biking
Breckenridge is a haven for mountain bike enthusiasts, with no shortage of trails that cover the range from beginner-friendly to technical and difficult. You even have the option to avoid the uphills at Breckenridge Ski Resort during the summertime, since the Colorado Superchair on Peak 8 will take you straight to the top of the hill for the downhill ride of your life.
Anyone looking for a relatively easy mountain biking experience in Breck will appreciate the 1.6 mile Lower Flume Trail, which has a steep start but flattens out into a fun and enjoyable ride. From this trail, you have the option to connect to the Middle and Upper Flume trails as well.
If you’re hoping for something a bit more challenging, check out Jack’s Cruel Joke, a technical 0.3 mile downhill trail. Filled with switchbacks and sharp turns that will demand some of the best biking you can muster, you’ll descend nearly 150 feet in elevation over this short distance. During the autumn, this is a great place to catch sight of the changing leaves if you can handle the difficult trail.
Uncover More Ways to Explore Breckenridge
Breckenridge is paradise for an adventure sports enthusiast, and there are plenty of ways to get your adrenaline pumping nearby. From sledding down the slopes powered only by sled dogs to whitewater rafting some of the best rivers in Colorado, there’s no shortage of heart-pounding fun to be had in the Rocky Mountains.
Interested in other Breckenridge activities? Take a look at some of the best romantic restaurants in Breck or some of the top dog-friendly activities in the area.