How to drive the unpaved road to Santa Fe Mountain in Colorado

Santa Fe Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.173m (10,410ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Santa Fe Mountain

Where is Santa Fe Mountain?

The pass is located west of Denver, in the central part of Colorado, within the Arapaho National Forest.

Is the road to Santa Fe Mountain unpaved?

The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Hidden Wilderness Road. The drive features narrow parts, very steep sections and 21 hairpin turns. A 4x4 vehicle is required.

How long is the road to Santa Fe Mountain?

Starting from Idaho Springs, the road to the summit is 8.85km (5.5 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 829m (2,720 ft) and the average gradient is 9.36%.

Is the road to Santa Fe Mountain open year-round?

Set high in the Front Range, the road is not plowed in winters.

 



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