It’s been exactly two months since we moved to Salt Lake City, and I am completely in love with this place. As I discuss in detail in a previous post here, it took us almost a year to figure out which city we wanted to move to. One thing that was incredibly important to both of us was to live somewhere with easy access to nature, which is how we ended up in Salt Lake.

Surrounded by mountains, there are hundreds of hiking and biking trails in the area that make it easy to spend hours exploring the natural beauty of the region. While I’ve only lived here for a short period of time, I have already been able to cover over 100 miles of trails on foot. Even so, I know I have barely scratched the surface… there are still hundreds of hikes left to traverse. This city truly feels like a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.

Although we are heading into the winter season, I still wanted to share my 5 favorite hikes to date in the Cottonwood Canyons and Mill Creek Canyon, both about 30 minutes outside of the city. Hiking in the canyons during the fall has been bliss – the vibrant colors, cooler temperatures, and stunning views have felt like pure magic. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming, because this is my actual idea of heaven.

Most of the hikes on this list are considered moderate, and I truly feel that anyone could do them. I hope you and enjoy, and please let me know if you have any favorite hikes for me to check out as well!

Salt Lake Overlook via Desolation Trail

Salt Lake Overlook via Desolation Trail is a well maintained hike through beautiful scenery that ends at a viewpoint overlooking Salt Lake City. The trail begins in a dense forest of fir and aspen trees and steadily gains elevation, which also makes it a great option for trail running. From the overlook, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley, the Great Salt Lake, and the Oquirrh Mountains in the distance. It’s a popular route for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter, and since it’s largely shaded, it’s an excellent choice for the hot summer months as well. I highly recommend checking out this hike if you are looking for something on the easier side.

The trailhead is located in Mill Creek Canyon, so you will need to pay a $5 fee at the entrance station. You can find directions and download the trail map on AllTrails.

• Distance: 4.8 miles

• Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,300 feet

• Time: About 3 hours to complete

• Difficulty: Moderate

Lower Falls via Bell Canyon Trail

Bells Canyon Trail is a relatively short but somewhat challenging hike in the Wasatch Moutnains. This trail offers a scenic route to Lower Bell Canyon Falls, which is a beautiful and serene waterfall tucked away in a canyon. The trail begins by following Bell Canyon Creek and gradually ascends through a forested canyon, with some switchbacks and rocky terrain along the way. As you hike deeper into the canyon, you'll reach Lower Bell Canyon Falls, a picturesque, multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by stunning views. It's a lovely spot to take a break, enjoy the natural beauty, and, if you're feeling adventurous, take a refreshing dip in the pool at the base of the falls,

The trailhead is located at the end of a residential neighborhood near Sandy, Utah. There is a parking area, and the trail is well-marked. You can find directions and download the trail map on AllTrails.

• Distance: 4.8 miles

• Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,500 feet

• Time: About 3 hours to complete

• Difficulty: Moderate

Lake Blanche Trail

This is probably one of my top three favorite trails I’ve ever hiked. The path gradually ascends through a pine forest surrounded by mountains, with some steeper sections and switchbacks as you climb higher into the canyon. Along the way, you'll encounter several smaller lakes and waterfalls until you reach Lake Blanche, which is without a doubt the highlight of this hike. The crystal-clear waters, dramatic mountain backdrop, and serene setting are one of a kind. I recommend bringing food and a book and hanging out at the lake for a few hours if the weather is nice… I personally spent almost 2.5 hours at the lake reading, meditating, journaling, and having lunch.

The trailhead for Lake Blanche is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, approximately 15 miles from downtown Salt Lake City. You can find directions and download the trail map on AllTrails.

• Distance: 7 miles

• Elevation Gain: Approx. 2,800 feet

• Time: About 5-6 hours to complete

• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Brighton Lakes Loop

The Brighton Lakes Loop is an amazing way to explore the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains, with the added bonus of visiting three pristine alpine lakes along the way. Although this hike is similar in distance to the Lake Blanche Trail, I found it to be harder because you are higher up in elevation. The trail offers a panoramic view of the peaks that surround the Brighton Bowl plus views of the Twin Lakes Reservoir, Silver Lake, and Lake Mary. I’d recommend hiking to the Lake Mary side first, which was my favorite of the three lakes. If you’d like a longer hike, you can continue on to Sunset Peak before looping back down. Make sure to pack lots of water and layers for this one – it gets chilly.

You can find directions and download the trail map on AllTrails.

• Distance: 7 miles

• Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,800 feet

• Time: About 4-5 hours to complete

• Difficulty: Hard

Desolation Lake via Mill D North Fork and Desolation Trail

I did this hike in late fall, and there were already patches of snow and ice along the trail. Although the hike was still manageable, I’d recommend doing it earlier in the fall, late spring, or summer. The trail begins by following the Mill D North Fork, a relatively gradual ascent through a beautiful forested canyon with great views the entire way. After a couple of miles, you'll reach a junction that will either lead you to Dog Lake or Desolation Lake (you could do both if you want an even longer hike). Once you turn right towards Desolation Lake, the trail becomes slightly more steep, with switchbacks and rocky terrain. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with a stunning alpine lake surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Wasatch Mountains. Make sure to bring layers – the lake is almost at 10,000 feet, which means it can be very chilly depending on the time of year you go.

The trailhead is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, about 14 miles from downtown Salt Lake City. You can find directions and download the trail map on AllTrails.

• Distance: 7.8 miles

• Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,978 feet

• Time: About 4-5 hours to complete

• Difficulty: Moderate