Playlist Theme: Gentle Music for Grief and the Soul
About the Hike: Mount Sanitas via Lion’s Lair Trail
Located just about 45 minutes outside of Denver is the Mount Sanitas via Lion’s Lair Trail. This route travels to Mount Sanitas from the backside, making it a gentler and more approachable climb as opposed to the steep climbs found at the front of the mountain. Immerse yourself in a Ponderosa Pine forest with breathtaking rock formations and several overlooks of iconic Colorado sites.
This 4.5 mile hike takes on average 2-3 hours to complete with a gradual 718 foot climb. The hike is considered a moderately difficult, out & back trail. The Music for Movement & Meditation playlist is the perfect audio hiking companion for those who are looking to unplug in the Colorado wilderness.
Love AllTrails? Find the hike with accompanying directions here: Mount Sanitas via Lion’s Lair Trail.
While we know this playlist will not be for everyone at every time, we want to share this in the hopes that this hike and accompanying music can be there for you whenever you may need it.
The playlist below is a collection of music designed to accompany your journey to the top of Mount Sanitas. The music invites a sense of gentle meditation and inner freedom, as well as reflection and acknowledgement of grief.
Featured Playlist:
Approximately 2 hour run time
Gymnopédie No. 1: A dreamlike piano solo that induces a sense of calm. A perfect opener for the journey in the trees.
Spiegel im Spiegel: The piano’s gentle walk-like cadence and long somber notes played by the violin are perfect for a bit of introspection.
On the Nature of Daylight: A deeply reflective string orchestra piece that invokes a warm emotional sensation.
Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten: Written by Arvo Pärt in memory of Benjamin Britten, a composer who he never met. This deeply moving orchestral work explores grief, remembrance and spirituality.
Salut d'Amour: An affectionately warm and optimistic arrangement of Elgar’s tune for cello.
White Rose Elegy: A marvelous piece written as tribute to the White Rose resistance movement, a group of students who stood against Nazi oppression during WW2.
Cello Suite No. 3: IV. Sarabane: A slower and contemplative movement from Bach’s famous cellos suites.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: A delightful melody transformed by Rachmaninoff.
Forrest Gump Suite: Light and tender themes from the classic film Forrest Gump.
Serenade for Strings in E Major: One of Dvorak’s many beautiful creations that beautifully fits in with the theme.
Piano Concerto No. 20 on D Minor: II. Romance : A classic Mozart movement that is awe-inspiring and uplifting.
She May Safely Graze: A flowing and positive timeless melody by Bach.
Variations on a Rococo Theme: No. 7: A moving selection of Tchaikovsky’s concerto for cello.
Haydn Concerto in E-flat: II. Andante: Haydn’s beautiful second movement melody.
Symphony No. 7: II. Adagio: Bruckner learned of his idol Richard Wagner’s death at the time of writing this movement. It contains portrayal of grief, but also, fittingly so, a reflective tone.
Vespers II: Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul: A hauntingly beautiful movement composed by Rachmaninoff.
Elegie: Faure’s ultra somber melody arranged for cello and piano. Its middle section offers a glimpse of peace and an uplifting tone.
Under the Moonlight: A peaceful selection to end your hike with an open heart and rejuvenated soul.