Breckenridge sits in the middle of some of the best mountain scenery in Colorado. Whether you live here or you are visiting, these five scenic drives serve up the kind of Rocky Mountain views people remember for years.
Sapphire Point
Sapphire Point is the easiest scenic stop near Breckenridge and one of the prettiest. A short, level trail off Swan Mountain Road leads to an overlook above Lake Dillon, with the Tenmile Range and Gore Range filling the horizon. It is beautiful year round, golden at sunrise, deep blue in summer, and quiet under fresh snow in winter. The walk is gentle enough for almost anyone, which makes it a favorite for photos, picnics, and even mountain weddings.
Boreas Pass Road
Boreas Pass Road follows the grade of an old narrow gauge railroad up to the Continental Divide at 11,481 feet. The surface is smooth, well maintained dirt, so you do not need four wheel drive to enjoy it in summer and early fall. The route climbs through pine forest and open meadow, past the historic Bakers Tank, with wildflowers and golden aspens depending on the season. It is one of the most rewarding easy mountain drives in Summit County.
Hoosier Pass
Hoosier Pass sits just south of Breckenridge on Highway 9 and crosses the Continental Divide at 11,542 feet. The road is fully paved and open year round, so the panoramic views of the Tenmile and Mosquito ranges are easy to reach in any season. Pull over at the summit for one of the best photo stops in the area, then keep going toward Alma and Fairplay if you want to make a longer loop.
Loveland Pass
Loveland Pass is one of the highest paved roads in the country that stays open year round, topping out at 11,990 feet on the Continental Divide. The climb is a series of tight switchbacks with wide open alpine views the whole way, and it is a launch point for backcountry skiing and high altitude hiking. Conditions change fast up here and the pass can close in heavy snow, which is a good reason to let an experienced local driver take the wheel. Below the pass, Interstate 70 bores straight through the mountain at the Eisenhower Tunnel, the highest point on the U.S. Interstate system.
Guanella Pass
Guanella Pass runs between Grant and Georgetown through the heart of the Rockies, with classic views of Mount Bierstadt and the surrounding peaks. It is famous for fall color and for wildlife, you may spot bighorn sheep, elk, and the occasional moose along the way. It is a longer day trip from Breckenridge, but well worth it when the aspens turn gold.
Enjoy the views, skip the wheel
Mountain passes are more fun from the passenger seat. Gold Rush runs private SUVs and Sprinter vans for sightseeing days, airport trips, and door to door rides around Breckenridge, so you can watch the scenery instead of the road.