Don't Threaten. 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. Check out 306 wheelchair-friendly trails with helpful accessibility guidance. This could be the most popular fall hike in Colorado. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. : 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. ROYAL ARCH TRAIL 1. There is a chain link rope to help with the steepest section. Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). Peak baggers up for the challenge can also summit Kit Carson and Challenger Point accessed along this same trail. For more information about hiking in the Boulder area, check out our article on the best hikes in Boulder. Micro-spikes can useful when there is snow on the windswept trail. Best enjoyed in the summer and fall, hiking in the Sawatch should be on everyones to-do list. Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock). A cozy windbreaker for those gusty summits 5. Featured below will be some of the best hikes in Colorado for all different types of hikers that include some of the best views in the state. 22. After this, you will enjoy a long, mostly mellow descent back to the trailhead. On a calm, clear day the mountains reflections in the lake makes for a picture-perfect setting. Around 11,700 feet, the trees thin out entirely, and you can see the ridge that you will be climbing to the west. The trail clocks in just a little over a mile to the top of Hanging Lake. Climb your way up to Island Lake (another 15 to 20-minute walk) for a scene that is simply jaw-dropping. 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow the signs to Rogers Pass Lake (pictured), a destination youll encounter just before reaching Heart Lake. The High Dune gives a spectacular view of this one-in-a-kind national park. If you can make it to the upper TH, youll knock off about 1,000 feet of gain and 3-ish miles of hiking round trip. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. 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. Success! . The Mount Evans wilderness areas have plenty of stunning views and great hikes. Plan your next outdoor adventure to one of 4,595 routes with waterfalls or scenic . Theres a saying in Colorado that goes west slope best slope. This area of the state isnt as easy to access compared to other hiking areas closer to Denver. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette. Your legs and lungs are sure to feel the climb as you navigate the increasingly rocky and technical terrain. The first mile is a gentle climb, winding through red rock formations and scrub oak. It provides stunning views of three different lakes and Hallet Peak, a 11,000-foot mountain that is popular amongst rock climbers. 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. Leave it better than how you found. It's also one of the best spots in the state for capturingfall colors. Hike along the seven bridges and check out the beautiful waterfall. Grays (14,270')and Torreys (14,267') are situated along the Continental Divide within the Arapaho National Forest near the small town of Idaho Springs. Photo Credit: ablokhin (iStock). These stunning sandstone monoliths inspire the imagination. Once you catch your first glimpse, it's not hard to see why this is a highly trafficked hike. For this reason, it's best to always keep pets leashed. Teens and pre-teens are one of the most sought-after spending crowds, with retailers looking for ways to win their business. Location: Northern Front Range. Dont stop here, as another singletrack trail on the west side of Mirror Lake heads on to Crater Lake and reveals the even more stunning view of Lone Eagle Peak and Mount Achonee towering above the lake. Tucked between Interstate 70 and Colorado State Highway 470, is a surprising location for some beautiful Front Range trails. This guide includes: Get oriented with this map of Colorado Hikes. For the best photo ops though, hike along the 1.9-mile loop trail in fall and come just in time for sunrise to see the real magic of one of the best hikes in Colorado. 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. It might be the only hike in the state to safely do barefoot! As the slope increases, you will climb toward the ponderosa pines and wooded slopes of the Boulder foothills. This hike turns into more of a technical adventure towards the summit, as it involves a 3rd class scramble. Colorado has some of the most incredible hiking in the country. The stairs are steep, and while there are railings the entire way, those who fear heights may choose to enjoy the view from the ground. Maroon Bells in the fall. Only about a 1-hour drive from downtown Denver. : Snowmass Village, CO, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, 11 miles southwest of Aspen, : An immersive multiday experience in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, This 27-mile loop is most commonly backpacked as a three- or four-night trip. Hiking water bottle for hydration 4. Most hikers will start hiking around 3am in the summer. The trail is 18 miles out-and-back in length and climbs 2,719 feet in elevation as you weave through the lush landscapes of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. 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. Be prepared to not have cell service while you hike. From there you are only a few hours from incredible hiking destinations! Dog-friendly. I was disappointed to not see FERN LAKE and other hikes in RMNP on the list. Share with Us. At the end of the long haul, youre greeted with awe-inspiring sandstone arches and deep canyons that rival some of the best scenery in both Arches National Park and the Grand Canyon. Carry your poop with you by strapping it to your bag, or leave your dog at home. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, start on the, . Expect this hiking area to be very busy. The hike to Grays, and then onto Torreys gains a total of 3,479 feet in a little over four miles, following a section of the Continental Divide Trail. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the Sleeping Giant Trail, a short loop off the main paved path that leads to the base of the Sleeping Giant rock formation. The standard route features a 14-mile class two climb up the eastern slopes. I love to escape to the red sandstone canyons outside of Fruita, Colorado every winter. There are plenty of hiking trails for all abilities from the parking lot at Chautauqua. You have permission to edit this collection. Inside this guide youll find tons of info about the most scenic Colorado hikes and how to visit them without the crowds. The La Plata Mountains can be found in southern Colorado and are normally accessed from the small town of Mancos. Hiking at Garden of the Gods is one of the top-rated things to do in Colorado. The Dream Lake Trail continues to climb from Nymph Lake up into Tyndall Gorge, crossing Tyndall Creek before coming to the eastern edge of Dream Lake. If so then why not try this stellar out and back hike? Herman Gulch is one of the most accessible high alpine hiking trails in Colorado. 20 Most Beautiful Hikes in Colorado. SAN LUIS PEAK 4. Her dream job is journalist. The Keyhole Route on Longs Peak is an iconic mountain climb that many people strive for. This is my favorite place to take out-of-town visitors on a scenic jaunt. Photo Credit: Erik Sommerfeld; American Institute of Architects. 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. Thin, long pants can be very breathable and will prevent injury from low-lying branches scratching up against you on the trails. Threats of harming another BISON PEAK Bison Peak is considered one of Colorado's best trails for the early summer months. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the Royal Arch Trail. Its one of the easiest hikes near Denver and has plenty of stellar scenery to boot. The start of the trail is fairly well-packed singletrack. Be Proactive. Sharkstooth Trail is a great day hike in a region of Colorado many overlook. Backcountry campsites are available by permit if you need more time to enjoy the view! 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. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. We use affiliate links in our content andmay receive a small commission on your purchases. 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. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. This trail is dog-friendly, but dogs are not allowed past this point. 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. The views of the Rocky Mountains all come together in this perfect blend of alpine lakes, meadows, and forests. (Mercury must be in retrograde.) From here, you briefly connect to the. Please follow these rules when visiting and remember, when you're exploring to leave absolutely no trace. You won't be disappointed with this hike; especially if you love the wildflowers. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. Photo Credit: MizC (iStock). Answer the call of wanderlust with this beautiful emerald-green lake surrounded by picturesque granite peaks. Seven Bridges Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park. , Quandary makes a great first 14er to tackle. The colors of summer grace hikers along Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes. Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Colorado, and for good reason. Parts of this ecosystem are fragile. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. Afternoon thunderstorms are dangerous and kill hikers each year. Do not run. This is one of the best hikes in Colorado that sits just outside of Boulder meaning that it is only about a 30-minute drive away from Denver. Nestled in the Indian Peaks Wilderness lies the wow-worthy granite spectacle. Prepare properly for scrambling a Colorado 14er and understand the risks you are getting into. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. And kill hikers each year past this Point trails with helpful accessibility guidance you need more time to enjoy view! 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