18 Greatest Hikes in Colorado For 2024

4. Glacier Gorge Path – Sky Pond Path – Estes Park

That is among the many best hikes throughout the Rocky Mountains for vital hikers. It is a 9-mile loop with a 2162-foot elevation change. You’ll see unbelievable views at Sky Pond along with from Glass Lake and Timberline Falls is the piece de resistance.

You could get to the hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead, nonetheless the parking lot is small so arrive early. Moreover, discover that yow will uncover snow correct into June and July so it is a good suggestion to ship poles and snowshoes.   

Visiting Denver, Colorado? This half-day tour takes you to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to see the Crimson Rocks Amphitheater, Evergreen Lake, and a scenic drive throughout the Lariat Route. E ebook it proper right here and actually really feel comfortable with easy cancellation inside 24 hours of the tour.

5. Alberta Falls Path – Estes Park

The Alberta Falls Path is among the many most lovely waterfalls throughout the Rocky Mountains and that’s saying tons as there are numerous should you go to Colorado. The Alberta Falls path is a 1.7-mile out-and-back hike with elevation changes of 232 toes which could be mushy and gradual.

Alongside one of the simplest ways, you see lovely aspens and experience the winding and musical Chaos Creek. The falls themselves drop about 30 ft and as you stand there surrounded by the Rockies, it really gives you an appreciation for the ability of Mother Nature. You can attain the trail by heading out on Bear Lake Freeway to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.  That’s about 12 miles from Estes Park and makes for in all probability the best day hikes should you’re staying in town.

6. The Rocky Mountains Colorado Path – Denver

Do you even hike do you have to’ve on no account been on the Colorado Path? The Colorado Path is an just about 500-mile hike that crosses by the use of the state. The trail runs from Durango to the Waterton Canyon Trailhead in Durango and is among the many most troublesome trails in Colorado. 

That’s the mother of the entire mountaineering trails in Colorado. When you get on this path, rest assured that you will note an enormous swath of Colorado full with rolling hills and rocky inclines. Alongside the trail, you’re experiencing 8 mountain ranges and will be hitting a extreme of larger than 13,000 toes throughout the San Juan Mountains in your uphill climbing. The Colorado Path is a extremely regarded hike because you get top-of-the-line mountaineering in Colorado alongside one route.

Most people kind out this hike in segments. Ought to you may have been to do your total hike it would take you wherever from 4 to 6 weeks. Thankfully, it is broken up into 28 segments and chances are you’ll hike a lot of these individually. A couple of of probably the most beautiful sections are Segments 5-8. For additional knowledge on each part strive The Colorado Path Foundation.

Alongside one of the simplest ways, you’re going to see wildlife like bighorn sheep merely moseying spherical. You’re moreover going to be leaping over tiny creeks and strolling alongside rivers as a result of the Rockies watch on. The parking area throughout the south end along with the ultimate phrase north end can replenish fast.

Which means you’ll have quite a few people on the hike with you on the excessive and bottom of the trail. Nonetheless, you’ll get top-of-the-line mountaineering in should you’re throughout the heart. Doing your entire path is best for educated hikers as the middle elements can get a little bit bit troublesome.

7. Blue Lakes Path

That’s in all probability top-of-the-line hike in Colorado to see mountain goats as a herd is assumed to roam the world. The hike is solely 1 mile prolonged with an elevation purchase of merely 108 toes nonetheless getting there may be often an issue as you’ve acquired to face up a steep gravel avenue to get to the Blue Lakes trailhead which is more healthy for 4WD vehicles. Alternatively, you can merely stroll the gravel avenue as a lot because the trailhead. Merely discover this hike is to not be confused with the Blue Lakes Hike near Telluride. They’re 2 completely totally different hikes.

This place can get pretty busy and the parking lot is small so, we advise carpooling and visiting mid-week, when the crowds are at their lowest.

Additional people report seeing mountain goats throughout the afternoon than throughout the morning, nonetheless every events are potential. Together with the goats, you’ll the beautiful Blue Lakes and fantastic wildflowers when in season. Do discover that there is scrambling required. 

8. Hanging Lake Path – Glenwood Springs

Definitely the establish alone entices many. What exactly is a dangling lake? Correctly, this hanging lake is a outcomes of some geological actions that pushed the lake mattress off the cliff it was on. The outcomes of which may be a lake sitting barely beneath the cliff with remnants of its lake mattress nonetheless on excessive of the cliff from which a waterfall drops into it.

The lake itself is a crayon blue-green and all of that magnificence has made the Hanging Lake Path a popular hike in Colorado. It’s a 3-mile hike in White River Nationwide Forest, taking you correct into the thick of the park. You could get to the trail by means of the Glenwood Springs trailhead. Hike early to steer clear of crowds.

9. Mayflower Lake and Mohawk Lakes Path – Breckenridge

For in all probability the best hikes in Colorado to get a style of your entire state, you need this hike It is located in White River Nationwide Park, and the Mayflower Lake and Mohawk Lakes path offers in all probability the best hikes. It’s a 7.8-mile hike with a 1920-foot elevation purchase. That is among the many best hikes in Colorado in case you’re touring collectively together with your canine as many trails do not let allow your pooch on the paths. 

You may start your hike on the Spruce Creek Trailhead which is found merely exterior of Breckenridge on Spruce Creek Freeway. You’ll be crossing streams and testing waterfalls alongside one of the simplest ways.  The beginning of the trail is common alongside the Mohawk Lakes nonetheless will get steep halfway by the use of at Mayflower Lake. The views of Lower Mohawk Lake after which Larger Mohawk Lake are lovely.

10. First and Second Flatirons Loop Path – Boulder

This 2.7-mile path goes to take you via among the many most lovely environment in Colorado, nonetheless it really isn’t going to be easy. You will should do some mountaineering should you want to see Boulder’s iconic flat irons. This flatirons path is concrete and steep at first nonetheless then softens out should you get to the filth path portion.

When you get to the very best you can utterly spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain range. To get to the trail you can take Baseline Freeway to the Gregory Canyon trailhead the place you can park and start your journey. You’ll be able to do the trail in about 2 hours at a leisurely tempo. 

11. Fountain Valley Path (Yard of the Gods) – Colorado Springs

The Fountain Valley Path is 2.2 miles prolonged with a 324 elevation change. The trail is located in Roxborough State Park, near Colorado Springs, which is taken into consideration the Yard of the Gods and comprises the Gods trails, and is taken into consideration pretty easy. No matter being a easy hike, there’s quite a few journey obtainable alongside one of the simplest ways with pink rock formations abound.

Do you have to’re lucky, you might even see a fox or mule deer poke their head up from behind a type of formations. You could get to the trailhead from Willow Creek Path near the doorway of Roxborough State Park. 

12. Monarch Lake Loop Path – Granby

This 4.2-mile path in Arapaho Nationwide Forest is great easy and great trendy and makes it in all probability the best hikes in Colorado for households. It takes you spherical Monarch Lake and makes for a pleasing method to spend time with family. Some animals do frequent the world with a majority of the sitings being of moose. The trailhead is located on Freeway 125 near Monarch Lake. Proper right here you will note loos and parking.

13. Pawnee Transfer Path – Boulder

You can strive a glacier as you make your technique alongside Pawnee Transfer Path to Isabelle Lake. After that, you’re performing some switchbacks to get to lovely views. You’ll see Mount Audobon and Apache Peak. The Pawnee Transfer Path is 10 miles prolonged with an elevation change of close to 3000 toes so it’s not exactly a family-fit journey when you may have youthful kids.

It is a good journey for every intermediate hikers and avid hikers alike with alpine meadows, beautiful environment, and pleasant rock scrambles. You will experience snow and icy patches for most of the 12 months previous the July and August months. You could get to the Pawnee Transfer trailhead from Brainard Lake Freeway to the Brainard Lake Conservation House. The exact trailhead inside Brainard Lake is on the Prolonged Lake trailhead which is throughout the Indian Peaks Wilderness House.

14. Ice Lakes Basin Path – Silverton

Firstly, you must have mountaineering boots should you want to do an outdoor journey on the Ice Lakes Basin Path mountaineering trails. This path sits in San Juan Forest and likewise you’re going to have an incline of 3000- toes which is a lot for widespread Colorado hikes. It is best to have poles do you have to chosen going to this mountaineering trip spot.

There are steep climbs nonetheless you could be moreover rewarded with views of ice lakes, along with an island lake, and even an earlier stone setting up you can uncover. There are switchbacks and as we talked about, steep inclines, nonetheless that is among the many best mountaineering trails in Colorado do you have to like an journey.

15. Crater Lake Path – Granby

This 3.5-mile path is among the many best hikes in Colorado and probably top-of-the-line in Aspen. It is located throughout the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness House. It was normal from geological processes that handed off 1000’s of years previously when glaciers started floating away and left what everyone knows as Crater Lake.

Do you have to’re staying in Aspen then there is a shuttle which will take you to the trailhead from Rubey Park. Alternatively, you can drive there on Freeway 82 and get off on Maroon Creek Freeway to park throughout the parking area.

16. Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Path – Aspen

The Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Path is a picturesque mountaineering path that will also be located throughout the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness House, near Aspen, Colorado. The trail spans roughly 3.3 miles and takes hikers by the use of among the many most lovely pure landscapes throughout the nation. Study additional: Most interesting Points to do in Aspen

The trailhead for the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Path is positioned at Maroon Lake. From there, hikers can adjust to the trail as a result of it winds by the use of the wilderness area, passing by groves of aspen bushes, cascading waterfalls, and fields of wildflowers.

One in all many highlights of the trail is the possibility to catch breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells themselves. These majestic peaks are among the many most iconic throughout the Rocky Mountains, and their towering presence is a sight to behold significantly as they’re mirrored throughout the lake beneath. They’re additionally known as in all probability probably the most photographed mountains in North America.

The Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Path is rated as common downside, making it accessible to hikers of all potential ranges. The trail does get really busy throughout the extreme season, nonetheless the views are value it. That’s moreover the kicking-off stage for the hike to Crater Lake and we might advocate incorporating that into your day as properly.

17. South Colony Lakes Path – Canon Metropolis

The South Colony Lakes Path is a tough mountaineering path located throughout the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains, near Westcliffe, Colorado. The trail is about 12 miles and takes you via among the many most lovely pure landscapes throughout the area.

The trailhead for the South Colony Lakes Path is located on the end of a mud avenue, and the first few miles of the trail are comparatively easy, passing by the use of a forest of aspen and pine bushes. Nonetheless, as a result of the trail progresses, it turns into steeper and harder, with switchbacks and rocky terrain.

One in all many highlights of the South Colony Lakes Path is the possibility to view quite a few peaks which could be over 14,000 toes in elevation, along with Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle. These majestic peaks are among the many most tough to climb in Colorado, and their towering presence is awe-inspiring.

The South Colony Lakes Path is rated as troublesome, making it acceptable for educated hikers who’re in good bodily scenario. The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked, nonetheless hikers must be prepared for steep climbs and doubtlessly tough local weather circumstances.

18. Fish Creek Falls Path – Steamboat Springs

Fish Creek Falls Path is a popular mountaineering trip spot located near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The trailhead for Fish Creek Falls can be accessed from Fish Creek Falls Freeway, which is located roughly three miles from downtown Steamboat Springs.

The trail is roughly 4.7 miles spherical journey and provides lovely views of the 283-foot Fish Creek Falls. The rocky path is strenuous, with an elevation purchase of roughly 1,450 toes, so be prepared for a train. A number of individuals flip spherical at Larger Fish Creek Falls, nonetheless in case you’re additional adventurous you can proceed on to Prolonged Lake (this offers one different 7.6 miles to your journey, so be prepared).

In case you’re looking out for a greater route you can take the easy, 0.3-mile paved path to the falls viewing area. You should definitely study the website as this path is often closed ensuing from avalanche hazard throughout the winter and early spring.

Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Entrance Costs

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

What’s probably the most scenic hike in Colorado?

One of many essential scenic hikes in Colorado is the Alberta Falls Path which provides you views of beyond-real inexperienced waters and a waterfall that is magical. When you want to actually really feel like an precise explorer out on the mountaineering trails, strive the Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Transfer. That’s located throughout the San Juan Mountain range and offers you lovely views.

What’s the hardest hike in Colorado?

The Conventional Colorado Path could be one among many hardest hikes in Colorado because of it is prolonged and takes you over many geographical landscapes. To try this hike, you’ve acquired to dig in for the prolonged haul and be able to camp and experience incremental local weather.

The Sq. Prime Mountain Path offers you with an elevation purchase of 2500 toes with rock scrambles, and steep climbs, and in flip, is taken into consideration troublesome.

What variety of hikes are in Colorado?

There are an entire bunch of hikes in Colorado. You can’t put a amount to it because of many are blended and others are off-trail.

The place can I hike in Colorado correct now?

You’ll be able to do just some completely totally different hikes nonetheless an superior place to start out out a hike in your avenue journey in Colorado correct now will be to go to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. There you’ve got quite a few choices and chances are you’ll ask the park ranger which is best to go on correct now counting on the season and closures.

Map of Colorado Mountaineering Trails

There’s no doubt that mountaineering in Colorado is one factor that must be added to any exterior lover’s bucket guidelines. With one of many very important beautiful Nationwide Parks throughout the US, well-maintained trails, current mountain air, and the possibility for backcountry mountaineering there is not a doubt you may adore it proper right here. So seize your sturdy mountaineering boots, do your evaluation, and plan your subsequent mountaineering journey in Colorado.