Discover Nederland Colorado

A combination of attitude and altitude makes Nederland worthy of a stop when in Colorado. An old mining settlement, now the largest town on the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway. A mixed group of environmentally aware young hippies and interesting mountain characters populate this somewhat sleepy mountain town. Close to Eldora Mountain, just catch the bus with your skis. Nederland provides a local feel and a cheaper alternative to other ski resort towns.

Quick Tips:

Local musicians can be found in cafes, coffeehouses, and the one bar in town on almost every night of the week. Summer brings headlining acts to outdoor music festivals.

Best Way To Get Around:

The town is quite small and easily explored on foot. The bus does run from Boulder to Nederland, but a car is required for best viewing of canyons and wandering off the beaten path.

The rustic charm of this restaurant and drinking establishment, known as the PI, captures the feel of Nederland in its earliest incarnation as a mining town. Mountain and mining paraphernalia decorate the wooden walls, old knickknacks dot the shelves, and historical photographs are hung along the booths. The small front dining room allows a view to the sidewalk and hills. The bar divides the smoking section from the nonsmoking dining area, outfitted with a brick fireplace and deer head mounted on the wall.

Pull up a stool at the bar and surely a local will strike up a conversation by asking, "Where are you from?" It seems everyone knows each other here, and you will stand out as a visitor, which might earn you a welcome drink from a fellow patron. Stick around for live music in the evenings and shake your bones to bluegrass or local musicians’ original tunes. The staff is friendly, and they pulled out a map to help us find an alternate route home. It is open daily for breakfast at 7:30am and serves lunch, dinner, and late-night munchies. Drinks and meals are generally less expensive than down the canyon in Boulder.

Driving up Canyon Road from Boulder to Nederland can be an adventure in itself. A paved footpath for joggers and bikes lines the creek, where you can find kayakers and inner-tubers. Scan the jagged rocks for climbers repelling up and down the peaks. Pull over to soak up the view and listen to the water rushing down the canyon. Stop at Boulder Falls and make the short hike in.

Drivers can be aggressive and often exceed the speed limit on the winding drive. Pull over onto a long stretch of gravel to allow the car to pass. Follow signs to other canyon turnoffs to sightsee without all the traffic on the main road.

If you do not have a car during your visit, the bus runs all the way to Nederland. Pack a lunch, hop off, and have a picnic by the creek and then catch the bus again. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the roads, on the rocks, and in the sky. This is bear, deer, fox, and eagle country.

If flying in from lower elevations, take 2 to 3 days to adjust to being 1 mile high before heading up to high country. Be sure to bring plenty of water, as you will need more than usual to stay hydrated. Breathe deeply and enjoy the view.