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Hike leads kids along fairy forest trail in Breckenridge

Megan Costello
Special to the Daily
The best way to access the Fairy Garden’s is from the Four O’Clock ski run, below the snowmobile storage area for the ski resort.
Megan Costello / Special to the Daily |

IF YOU GO

What: Magical, kid friendly hikes of Breckenridge

Instagram: Follow @fairyforestbreckenridge for updates on sightings! Share your photos with them by tagging #fairyforestbreck

Where: Hike off of Four O’Clock ski run, Breckenridge

More information: https://www.facebook.com/Breckenridge-Fairy-Forest-1650585188516420/?hc_location=ufi

Do you believe there is a land where fairies fly around and leave trails of glitter? Or a place where fairies have little homes and live amongst other forest creatures? Well, step off the Four O’Clock ski run and take a walk through the enchanted forest to find Breckenridge’s own fairy garden.

You can start your hike at the base of the Snowflake lift and hike the Sawmill Trail that follows alongside the river. Once you get to the top of the trail, hike around the corner to the right, and you’ll see a rocky path headed up towards Four O’Clock. Don’t step off the trail just yet, or you’ll miss the magic. Stay on the lower part of the trail that leads behind a few beautiful homes off Four O’Clock Road.

This hike is definitely kid friendly and not very challenging. It ultimately leads down to the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center Reservoir.



Walking into the forest, a sign reads “Fairy Forest.” You’ll see one little fairy home popping up after another, following with a trail of mushrooms. The installation is constantly changing and growing with new additions inspired by everything from Disney movies to C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series.

“I especially like the little Hobbit villages that you can tell someone put a lot of time into the creation of the whole thing,” said Breckenridge resident Lauren Gossman. “I would recommend this hike to any visitors who have little ones.”



This reporter lives with two of the very first contributors to the fairy gardens: My sisters, Bridget and Katherine Costello.

“We began laying fairies in hopes to create a magical place where we can use our imagination and creativity for others to see,” Bridget said.

They never imagined that the idea would catch on.

“We hope that it’s another attraction for tourists and locals in Breckenridge, and a good way to get people outdoors,” Bridget said.


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