Three Local Hikes You Can Do On Your Lunch Break in Sun Valley, Idaho

Celebrating the people and places that make our community special

Join Stephanie on this month's Voices & Views episode as she explores some of the valley's best hiking trails. Perfect for a quick lunch break or when you have an hour to enjoy the outdoors, these trails are perfect for hikers of all age and experience levels. Featured hikes include Proctor Loop, Greenhorn Gulch, and Carbonate Mountain.

As days get warmer in the Wood River Valley, our surrounding mountains and foothills are finally starting to dry out after plenty of spring rain (and even snow!). And that means one thing: it's hiking season!

Hikes near Sun Valley, Idaho

We've picked three different hikes around town—one near Sun Valley, one near Hailey, and one in between—that are perfect for getting out, stretching your legs, or just reconnecting with nature... even on your lunch break! They're each around an hour long.

Ketchum and Sun Valley: Proctor Mountain Hike

Typically clear and open by early to mid-May, hikes around Proctor Mountain are great for experiencing different types of terrain, soaking in iconic views of Bald Mountain, and staying cool with plenty of shade. If you're visiting in early summer, you'll also usually see one of the Valley's most spectacular displays of wildflowers.

Mid Valley: Greenhorn Gulch Hike

With a massive system of trails and different routes, Greenhorn Gulch has a variety of different out-and-back or looping hikes that can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours. With beautiful year-round foliage and a mix of forests, meadows, streams, and foothills, you get a great workout with an even better view—no matter which route you choose. This area is just west of the Golden Eagle Ranch neighborhood, a few minutes south of Gimlet, and about 15 minutes from downtown Ketchum, Idaho.

Hailey: Carbonate Mountain Hike

Carbonate Mountain is a great option for hikers looking to challenge themselves with a steep vertical ascent—for an intense workout, you can hike straight up the ridge's spine—or opt for the switchbacks if you'd prefer a more traditional and easy-going route. With most of the trail system exposed to the south and with little to no shade, summer afternoons can get especially hot, so make sure to pack plenty of water (and sunscreen), or schedule it into one of the Valley's cooler mornings.

Learn more about local hikes

To learn more about local hikes around the area, check out Matt Leideckers’s Idaho River Publications or download the All Trails app for trail info, maps, detailed reviews, and photos curated by other hikers, campers, and locals.