Trails · Devil's Backbone Open Space
Devil's Backbone Trail
Loveland's landmark hogback — a tilted fin of red rock with a natural window, the Keyhole, that frames the snowcapped Rockies. An easy, family-friendly loop with an outsized payoff.
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The Devil's Backbone is the dramatic spine of upturned red sandstone that runs along the west edge of Loveland — a hogback left standing when the plains eroded away from the mountains. The star of the show is the Keyhole, a natural window in the rock fin that perfectly frames the Front Range (and Longs Peak) behind it; it's one of the most photographed spots in Larimer County.
The most popular hike is the Wild Loop to the Keyhole viewpoint — an easy 2.6 miles with only about 275 feet of gain, doable by just about anyone. From the Devil's Backbone Open Space trailhead west of Loveland, the trail rolls along the base and up to the overlook beneath the Keyhole (the fin itself is closed to climbing to protect it and the raptors that nest there). Longer loops (the Hunter and Laughing Horse loops, and the Blue Sky Trail all the way to Horsetooth) branch off for bigger days. Larimer County open space: an entrance permit is required, and leashed dogs are welcome.
Trail Facts
Difficulty
Easy–Moderate
Wild Loop / Keyhole
~2.6 mi (~275 ft gain)
Longer loops
Hunter & Laughing Horse; Blue Sky Trail to Horsetooth
Bikes
Allowed on designated loops (directional)
Stock / Horse
Allowed on designated trails
Dogs
Allowed (on leash)
Fee
Larimer County entrance permit required
Season
Year-round (hot & dry in summer)
Manager
Larimer County (Devil's Backbone Open Space)
Getting There
From Loveland, take US-34 west and turn north on Hidden Valley Drive to the Devil's Backbone Open Space trailhead. A Larimer County entrance permit is required (bring a card to pay at the kiosk). Restrooms at the trailhead; carry water — it's hot and shadeless in summer.
| 0.0 mi | Devil's Backbone Open Space Trailhead (west of Loveland) |
| ~1.0 mi | Along the base of the hogback fin |
| ~1.3 mi | Keyhole overlook — the Rockies framed in the rock window |
| ~2.6 mi | Complete the Wild Loop back to the trailhead |
Know Before You Go
- Entrance permit required. Larimer County open space — day or annual permit; a card reader is at the kiosk.
- The Keyhole is view-only. The fin is closed to climbing to protect the formation and nesting raptors — enjoy it from the overlook.
- Dogs on leash. Welcome on leash — pack out waste.
- Hot & exposed. Almost no shade — hike early on summer days and carry water.
- Directional bike traffic. Some loops are one-way for bikes — watch the signs and yield appropriately.
- Go bigger. The Blue Sky Trail links Devil's Backbone all the way to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space.
Built by Many Hands — Give a Little Back
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Shop the Collection →These trails don't tend themselves either. Every mile is watched over by volunteers and public stewards we lean on to bring you this guide — if you love these mountains, please pitch in for them too:
- Poudre Wilderness Volunteers — trail patrols & the official trail description Donate →
- Colorado Parks & Wildlife / COTREX — the mapped trail route & statewide trail data Donate →
- Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest (USFS) — the public land itself Support →
- OpenStreetMap contributors — the Street basemap Donate →
- Google & USGS — trailhead location, ratings & topographic maps
Trail details compiled by the Red Feather Lakes Travel Guide from the sources above. Photography by us — more of our own trail images coming as we hike them.