Colorado Hikes: Gold Run Trail (Preston Mill Ghost Town)

The Gold Run Trail takes you through mine ruins and even a ghost town.

What: Gold Run Trail (and the Preston Mill Ghost Town)
Where: Gold Run Trail, Gold Run Circle, Breckenridge, CO
Length: 10.5 mile loop
Rating:
Directions: From Downtown Breckenridge, drive toward Fisco on Highway 9. Turn right on Tiger Road (by the Breckenridge Golf Course). Drive about 1 mile and turn right onto Gold Run Road.

The problem with Colorado hikes is there are several spurs and it’s hard to stay on the intended path. This hike can take you from the trailhead into Breckenridge, or you can circle back to the parking lot. We opted to go on a guided hike with the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance. Not only did we hear great historical information about the mines and the Preston Mill Ghost Town, but we had a delicious lunch and didn’t have to worry at all whether we were on the right trail or not. My kind of hike. The trail starts as a jeep trail and is also a favorite for mountain bikers. However, there is plenty of room for hikers as well and it’s fun to explore the mill and town remains.

Meeting up with the group to head out on the hike. The backpacks contain our delicious lunch.

Remnants of a stamp mill.

Remains of the town of Preston Mill.

Mining stripped the land. Thankfully tourism is now more profitable than mining. The town of Breckenridge has done an amazing job preserving their past, while restoring the land.

Hmm, apparently I still have one that is shorter than me.

Here are more family friendly hikes in Breckenridge…

No Pressure: Three easy hikes from downtown Breckenridge

Colorado Hikes: Boreas Pass 

Colorado Hikes: McCollough Gulch Trail

Colorado Hikes: Iowa Mine Trail 

Colorado Hikes: Sawmill Creek Trail 

Colorado Hikes: Rocky Mountain National Park  (This one isn’t in Breck, but it’s amazing)

Visit our other posts on Traveling in Colorado with Kids 

Breckenridge