Have you noticed that Colorado has a collection of evil-sounding attractions that are anything but (think the Devil's Punchbowl and Devil's Causeway)? That is not the case for today's devil-named highlight, which is equally confusing and terrifying, though some would argue it's one of the best hikes in Colorado. Here is everything you need to know about Colorado's Devil's Slide Trestles:
Located outside of Nederland, the Devil's Slide Trestles are made up of decaying bridges that sit at a stomach-dropping 1,000-feet+ over the Middle Boulder Creek.
Why are there broken bridges barely hanging onto the side of South Boulder Canyon? The narrow trails are what remains from an old Denver & Salt Lake Railway line, which - as the name suggests - connected Denver to Salt Lake City via Moffat Road.
Once the highest standard-gauge, non-cog railroad in the United States, the Denver & Salt Lake Railway line ran from 1905 to 1928 when a different (and less terrifying) route - the Moffat Tunnel - was completed.
When you visit today, you can observe what's left of this line from a safe distance, as time and the elements have made the trestles dangerous for automobile and pedestrian crossing.
Can you imagine looking out your train window and seeing this? Eek!
The Devil's Slide Trestles can be accessed by taking Colorado 119 south from Nederland, turning west at Rollinsville on Rollins Pass Road, and driving 16 miles to the trailhead.
Please note: Once you park, there is a short hike to reach the Trestles.
To discover even more to see and do in the area, be sure to check out this article about things to do in Nederland:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/colorado/quirky-town-co/
Love exploring all that Colorado has to offer? So do we! Take a look at this captivating footage of Mesa Verde National Park:
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