22. On crowded weekends or in the summer from June through October, you will need to take a shuttle from town. Generally speaking, areas above 9,000 feet in springtime are definitely still covered in snow. The unbelievably turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make it an incredibly beautiful adventure. Like other 14er hikes, it is very important to start early and end early. Be sure to park in the designated overnight parking lot. A series of steep and rocky switchbacks will take you to the lake. Made famous as being one of the best rock climbing areas in Colorado, this area is also home to some amazing hikes. This is the high country so be sure to bring extra layers and drink plenty of water. Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the. Grays and Torreys are so commonly hiked together that many refer to the two 14ers inseparably. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. Once you are done enjoying the rewards of your climb, retrace your steps back down the saddle to connect to the main trail and return to the trailhead. Some areas of the state obviously have better hiking options than others, but this will be a great way to understand the lay of the land. Photo by Michael DeLuca on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/xqh4Zk. In the spring, you may spot wildflowers like columbines, and there are a few groves of aspen that give a pop of golden color in the fall. Local Tip: The road to the trailhead closes every winter, so check conditions before heading out. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. Continue on the Emerald Lake Trail, which follows the north shore of Dream Lake and continues to climb for another half mile. This loop combines The Palmer Trail to Buckskin-Charlie, Niobrara, and the Bretang Trail to make a tour-de-garden. At just over 6 miles round-trip and located about a 90-minute drive from Denver, this peak is one of the more accessible 14ers in the state. It also serves as a highly visible landmark the notch in the ridge. Because the hiking is on the sand, there isnt much of an established trail. 7. This area will encompass Denver north to Fort Collins with hikes that are accessible from the eastern urban corridor. If youre planning a visit to this remote destination, please follow the. Let me know! Dont stop here, as another singletrack trail on the west side of Mirror Lake heads on to. Don't miss this trek deep in the heart of the Sangre De Cristo mountains to Willow Lake. These geographical regions are subjective but will provide a good layout of hiking in the state. Longs Peak. While you will have to watch your footing on the way back down, the views on the return hike are even more spectacular than on the way up. The west end of this narrow lake is framed by Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. The "Keyhole" is main route for reaching the iconic 14,259-foot summit. So, try and visit on a quiet weekday morning to avoid the crowds and take in the Fountain and Lyons rock formations that surround you. The best hikes in Colorado are a great way to experience the state's terrain with 39,000 miles of trails of varying lengths, difficulty levels, and scenery. Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock). Some Colorado State parks and all National Parks have fees to enter the park. Hikes here range from short walks in Boulders Chautauqua Park to hiking Longs peak, a 14er. A small, packable rain jacket can be great to throw in your pack. While not a very challenging hike, this hike is on our list because of how unique it is. : Estes Park, CO, in Rocky Mountain National Park, 50 miles northwest of Boulder, : A tour of three picturesque lakes in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, With more than 300 miles of trails and some of the best-known scenery in the state, Rocky Mountain National Park is a well-loved hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. As a Colorado local and writer for the outdoor industry, Im a total pro at hitting the most amazing hikes in Colorado without the crowds. Youll travel along an old railroad route in the heart of the southern foothills. You will spot one large waterfall about a mile east of Hasley Basin where the panoramic view also includes the backside of the Maroon Bells. Windom Peak via Needle Creek Trail is a 17.8 mile moderately trafficked trail that gains roughly 5,879 feet in elevation and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Photo Credit: tonda (iStock). : Manitou Springs, CO, in Bear Creek Canyon Regional Park, 5 miles west of Colorado Springs, : An aerobic challenge with a rewarding view, This loop is a mix of aerobically challenging climbing combined with pleasant views. All in all, this hike is pretty chill, except for the last mile. Only about a 1-hour drive from downtown Denver. This trail is dirt and has some stairs to help with erosion, so if you prefer to stick to the paved path, you can bypass this trail and stay on the Perkins Central Garden Trail. Be sure to be off of the hike in the early afternoon before the thunderstorms, as the hike is nice and exposed. Photo Credit: MizC (iStock). Storms come in quickly and the weather changes on a dime here. If you are planning an overnight trip, you must, at the trailhead, and bear canisters are required. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. According to the National Park Service, Star Dune hikers should plan for a five-hour round trip. It is tough to narrow down the best Colorado hiking trails and hikes, but you definitely cant go wrong with any of these ones. The city has narrowed down a new nature center in this area. It is recommended to go early in the morning or late in the evening. If you are planning to do the hike as a quick overnight backpacking trip, you will need a, , and all visitors will need to pay the small fee to park at the, on some easy switchbacks through aspen and pine groves, winding along Buchanan Creek. Go for sunrise. In fact, this trail is so lovely that is popular among hikers, birders, and cross-country skiers alike. The trail climbs gradually for the first 2 miles, heading south around Kelso Mountain before turning west, where you will spot the two 14ers and the saddle connecting them. Distance: 5.0 milesElevation Gain: 741 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are not allowed and its $25 to enter the park. For this reason, it's best to always keep pets leashed. Although there is plenty to do in Rocky Mountain NP, hiking is at the top of the list. This hike is very challenging due to the high starting elevation, and its elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. The hike is fairly strenuous and takes anywhere from 10 to 15 hours to complete, so be sure to plan accordingly. People die or get rescued off of this mountain every year for biting off more than they can chew. With trails ranging from less than a mile (1.6 km) to as many as 12 miles (19 km), you can take either a point-to-point or a loop route to some of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. If hiking the loop counterclockwise, start on the, , which is best accessed from the Section 16 Trailhead on Gold Camp Road. Towns like Telluride, Silverton, and Durango will be nearby for hiking in this region. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Its also one of the best hikes in Colorado since it features this super cool, narrow (its less than four-feet wide), 50-foot-long land bridge that youll need to traverse along the way. Photo Credit: Matt Vincent. Be sure to arrive early to find a parking spot as space is limited and the trail is busy during the summer. Distance: 7.5 milesElevation gain: 2,782 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs allowed on a leash. As you climb, keep your eyes open for yellow-bellied marmots and pikas. Living up to its namesake, this beautiful alpine lake hosts an array of skyscraping rock formations that seem to defy gravity. Become educated on the topic, and be sure to keep an eye on those hiking with you. Pants will also be nice to have in case of a rogue thunderstorm. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. This famous park near downtown Colorado Springs is a must-see. Chasm Lake is fishable from June to October. REI member since 2018. Its also a pretty easy trail to hike since there is little elevation change and the path features several stellar views of the surrounding canyon and the river below. Most people opt to backpack this trail since youll find it hard to leave. This section is the most challenging part of the hike, with loose switchbacks and rocky stairs to navigate. Enjoy the scenery from the trail to avoid tramping this beloved environment. This beautiful alpine lake is tucked away at thebase of Longs Peak, one of the most iconic and dangerousfourteenersin the state. Where should I hike in Colorado? It is not a bad idea to wear a climbing helmet for the 3rd class scramble, as there are lots of loose rocks. Maroon Bells in the fall. PYRAMID PEAK 3. Keep your eyes on the trail for wildlife. Known as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Boulder could keep you occupied for weeks with its multitude of trails in close vicinity to downtown. This ultimate guide to the best hikes in Colorado gives you an array of local hiking recommendations for all abilities. Heavy snowfall shuts down the majority of hiking in the alpine environment due to avalanche concerns as well as intense cold weather. Once you catch your first glimpse, it's not hard to see why this is a highly trafficked hike. Difficulty: Moderate. You can also access one of the best hikes in Colorado from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and then set off from there. The turquoise coloring is unlike anything else in the state. Bridal Veil Falls are the highest free-falling waterfalls in Colorado, at 365 feet high. Hikes near towns such as Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen will be included in this area. Hopefully, this provides a great introduction to some of the best places to hike in Colorado. This route is one of the most popular hikes in the state with the stunning, as a backdrop, abundant wildflowers in spring and summer, hillsides of aspen in the fall, and four passes to climb and descend on this spectacular loop. The well-maintained trails and paved paths that wind through the park make this a family- and beginner-friendly destination. Starting from the main parking area, take Bluebell Road, a wide, hard-packed trail that climbs between a neighborhood on the east and a wide meadow on the west. Evans as well. The trail starts mellow and quickly builds up to steep elevation gains. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. An overflow of alpine beauty awaits on a serene trek into the San Juan Mountains on the American Basin Trail near Lake City. You then connect back to Perkins Central Garden Trail to return to the trailhead. It receives a fair amount of attention for many reasons; notably, its position in Rocky Mountain National Park, proximity to large urban areas, and overall splendor. As with any hiking day, it is especially important to drink lots of water and make sure you are eating enough. Season: While it can be hiked all year round, the most popular time to hike is in the summer. There are several large waterfalls along the way including the trails namesake, Cascade Falls, a particularly scenic multitiered waterfall that you will get an up-close look at as the trail switchbacks from the base of the falls to the top. Prepare properly for scrambling a Colorado 14er and understand the risks you are getting into. Location: San Juans, near the town of Telluride. You may spot deer and coyotes in the area as well. At 13,420 feet, Pacific Tarn is the highest alpine lake in the United States, and you can have it all to yourself. From here, you briefly connect to the Red Rocks Trail before the serious climb starts on the Morrison Slide Trail. Additionally, be sure to check the weather and plan to leave early enough to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which can move in rapidly at high elevations. Weather, accessibility, hike difficulty, length, and elevation gain are all factors to consider when choosing a hike in Colorado. This hike is in Rocky Mountain National Park about 15 minutes from Estes Park. This hike itself is rather short, but the views are impressive. Enjoy the easier hiking at lower elevations while you can, as the Geneva Lake Trail quickly has you climbing back to 12,000 feet over Trail Rider Pass. She is also known for being a bookworm and owning more running shoes than most people would consider socially acceptable. For more information, please visit the town of Glenwood Springs website. Colorado is a hiking mecca thats filled with unbelievably beautiful trails. The Sharkstooth Trail is an excellent way to tour this lonely chain of distinct peaks. Local Tip: This trail has been undergoing restoration work and will re-open on June 25th, 2022. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the. Location: For the purpose of this article, this would be in the San Juan section, but Mount Elbert is really in the Sawatch Range. Pack out all your trash with you. To get to the lakes, you'll climb 1.6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,062 feet. There are plenty of options to expand or shrink your route. Some of the best fall colors can be seen in this area. Colorado Springs also has a great number of hikes close to town and is under the shadow of Pikes Peak, a 14er. Ive spent a lot of time on these trails without a soul in sight. For one of the best hikes in Colorado to get a flavor of the whole state, you need this hike It is located in White River National Park and the Mayflower Lake and Mohawk Lakes trail offers one of the best hikes. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Permits are required for an overnight. jmangum2. This hike provides a great introduction to hiking in Colorado and the Boulder Open Space trails. The 4.5-mile path will lead you to a historical mill that now sits abandoned above the Crystal River in Gunnison County. Beautiful Hikes - Colorado Bend State Park. From jaw-dropping mountain vistas to quirky sandstone monoliths, there are all sorts of hiking to do in Colorado. You will need to watch your footing on the slope of Grays as you climb to the summit at 14,270 feet. If youre just getting into summiting mountains, then head up to the top of Mount Sniktau. Ive done all the leg work for you, hiking each of these trails over the years to bring you the real stand-out scenery in the Centennial State. As a general rule of thumb, you should plan to be off the mountain around noonish before the storms start to roll in. In fact, there are five different hikes in this area that range in length from 1 to 13 miles (round trip) and that vary in difficulty between easy and moderate. Mountains above 14,000 feet are known as 14ers. Expect this hike to take 10-15 hours. Location: Northern Front Range. Austin Bluffs Open Space Being on an exposed ridge top on a late summer day is one of the most dangerous places to be while hiking. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. The Garden of the Gods Inner Loop starts on the, , a paved lollipop loop that is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. This spectacular out-and-back starts from Bear Lake before climbing to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, two of the jewels of Rocky Mountain National Park. While clockwise is often the preferred starting point for bagging the 4-pack loop, some hikers opt for a counter clockwise start with the 14,172-foot summit of Mount Bross (pictured). Distance: 3.6 milesElevation gain: 1,446 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly and very crowded. Photo Credit: Stephen Martin. The natural wonder can be found just below American Peak. That doesnt mean this is an easy undertaking, though, and hikers should come prepared with plenty of food, water and extra clothing as hiking any 14er in Colorado involves some degree of risk due to elevation, weather and exposure. . Best enjoyed in the summer and fall, hiking in the Sawatch should be on everyones to-do list. I love to escape to the red sandstone canyons outside of Fruita, Colorado every winter. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. Photo Credit: ablokhin (iStock). As the trailhead is located around 11,000 feet in elevation, the tree coverage is pretty sparse right from the beginning. Colorado is known for its abundant sunny weather, mountain views and nearly year-round hiking opportunities. This trail is accessible in the winter, but due to road closures, it would add upwards of 7 miles each way. Because as you make your way to this idyllic waterfall, the incline picks up and can feel really intense. It is important to always bring extra layers and a waterproof jacket while hiking in Colorado. From easygoing hikes in the many state and local parks within driving distance of major cities like Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs, to the hidden backcountry gems found in the remote wilderness and national forest areas, you have your pick of some of the best hiking in the Mountain West. Distance: 3.7 milesElevation gain: 416 feetDifficulty: easyRed Tape and Local Tips: Beat the crowds and go early. Please be sure to visit the RMNP website for more information on the current permitting process for parking and entrance to the park. Season: All year round, most popular in the summer. Read moreabout us. : Breckenridge, CO, in the Arapaho National Forest, 88 miles southwest of Denver, Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. You will need to check-in at the South Rim visitors center to get a permit. Its $25 to enter the park. If you like rocks, this place fits the bill. A natural wonder of Rocky Mountain National Park, the 9.4-mile out-and-back trek to Chasm Lake features granite summits, a rushing waterfall, and alpine meadows. Whether youre looking for hikes to a waterfall, a secluded walk in the woods, or a full day adventure up a 14er, there are endless options for all levels of hiking experiences. Situated along the Continental Divide about an hour drive from Denver, this hike is very popular. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the Royal Arch Trail. Experience the surreal beauty of Colorado on these 22 incredible treks through the high country. SAN LUIS PEAK 4. Located near Montrose Colorado, this 1.5-mile out-and-back trail is a great way to take in the awe-inspiring beauty of Black Canyon of Gunnison. Season: Summer. Beautiful waterfalls seep into the brightly colored lake. This gentle trail meanders its way along a deep sandstone canyon where you can admire monolithic sandstone towers whose beauty rivals that of nearby Moab. Listen, Ive been on each of these hiking trails several different times. Season: Memorial Day through mid-October. This trail appears to dead-end at Mirror Lake, a small lake with Lone Eagle Peak in the background. With a 14.5 mile round trip and over 5,000 ft elevation gain, this peak will challenge you in every way possible, but the end reward will be absolutely priceless. If you are looking for the quintessential Indian Peaks hike, the out-and-back to Crater Lake from Monarch Lake offers a great mix of scenery and terrain, as well as a stunning destination. 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