Eden, Utah, a small community nestled in the Cache National Forest of the northern part of the state, is a hamlet for outdoor adventure-seekers. The town is flanked by ski resorts, boasting access to both Powder Mountain and Wolf Creek within an easy 10-mile drive. When temperatures rise, however, locals take to the trails, as the fresh air, wooded paths and beautiful vistas make for some of the most scenic hiking in the country.
Ogden River Parkway
The Ogden River Parkway trail is a simple, paved trail originating at 18th Street and Washington Boulevard in the nearby town of Ogden. The trail is approximately 3 1/2 miles one way, with alternate entrances and exits at 1700 Monroe Boulevard and off Valley Drive at the end of Park Boulevard. With little incline, this is a great off-street stroll around town, taking you through local Ogden sights like the cultivated gardens and the Dinosaur Park.
Pineview West Trail
For a more rustic but still leisurely hike, check out the Pineview West Trail. This 2.8-mile dirt and gravel trail winds around the scenic Pineview Reservoir. In the spring, the trail is surrounded by wildflowers, and year-round it boasts fantastic birdwatching with nesting ospreys near the north end of the trail, as well as hawks, hummingbirds and sandhill cranes along the way. It is accessible via the Pineview Trailhead off Route 158, 2 miles east of the Pineview Dam.
Birdsong Trail
For a nature-rich hike, try the aptly named Birdsong Trail, a moderately easy 1-mile trip along dirt trails. Starting at the Rainbow Trailhead in the northwest corner of the Rainbow Gardens parking lot, hikers cross a number of natural springs and a pond, providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching, before completing the journey with the wooded trail to the Bonneville Shoreline. Occasional deer spottings and lovely flora make this trail a natural beauty of the Weber County trail system.
Wolf Canyon Trail
The Wolf Canyon Trail is a moderately difficult dirt trail that leads up to James Peak via the Powder Mountain ski area. Once part of private land, the trail now provides public access to the vistas of the Powder Mountain Ski Resort, and is great for spring and fall hikes. The trailhead is located off of State Route 158, just beyond the Powder Mountain gates.
North Skyline Trail
The North Skyline Trail, for experienced and adventurous hikers, is a challenging 11.4-mile one-way hike, which ascends more than 3,000 feet along the way. The North Skyline is a portion of The Great Western Trail, a network of trails along Arizona, Utah, Montana and Wyoming similar to the Appalachian Trail. After a steady ascent with many switchbacks for the first 2 miles, the trail becomes the least steep path from Ogden Valley to Ben Lomond Peak. It is accessible via the North Ogden Trailhead.
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