Located about one hour from Denver, this popular hike leads to an extraordinary destinationDevils Head Lookout. The trail is broken into 28 segments, most of which can be done in a day or as an overnight. The Locals Guide to Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. For an easy, mellow hike, head to the Interlaken Trail. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the. The first mile of the trail climbs, at times steeply, through sparse forests that become progressively thinner as you climb. 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. The following hikes are in no particular order and will provide some background information on hike length, difficulty, and accessibility. Some notable segments are: While its difficult to choose one, the prettiest hike in Colorado is probably the hike to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. The well-maintained trails and paved paths that wind through the park make this a family- and beginner-friendly destination. The start of the trail is fairly well-packed singletrack. Also named Emerald Lake, these majestic alpine waters can be explored near the iconic mountain town of Crested Butte. Continue on another one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and attempt this semi-challenging out and back hike. Hikers may opt for the trail or service road (shorter) to reach the lakes. It is between the San Juans and the I-70 corridor. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. After completing the Palmer Trail, you will turn briefly onto. Longs Peak (Estes Park) Every peak bagger should add the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak to their bucket list. Distance: 6.7 milesElevation Gain: 1,200 feetDifficulty: easy/moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly, Related: The Beginners Guide to Hiking Safely. Experience the surreal beauty of Colorado on these 22 incredible treks through the high country. Depends on road conditions and the seasons snowpack. Showcasing breathtaking natural scenery, the mill is arguably one of the most photographed structures in all of the state. Once you reach the base of Devils Head, you cant miss the red stairway snaking up the side of the large rock outcropping. Elevation: 246 feet. This is another great 14er hike to do in the I-70 area. I love to escape to the red sandstone canyons outside of Fruita, Colorado every winter. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this fire tower was one of seven built in the early 1900s. The easiest thing you can do to prevent altitude sickness is drink water and make sure you do not ascent too much in one day. Related Read: The 10 Best Hikes Near Grand Junction, Colorado. 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. As you climb, keep your eyes open for yellow-bellied marmots and pikas. The west end of this narrow lake is framed by Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. Chief Mountain. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). Each alpine wonder offers a serene escape laced with captivating mountain beauty. This famous park near downtown Colorado Springs is a must-see. This is a heavily trafficked area, so be sure to get there early. For example, if you were flying in from sea level, it would be dangerous to try and hike a 14er the next morning. Torreys sits at 14,267 feet and offers equally stunning views. It also serves as a highly visible landmark the notch in the ridge. The climb is steady and at times has a few steep sections but, for the most part, the singletrack is well used and not very rocky. Distance: 4.6 milesElevation gain: 213 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. The final climb is very rocky, and the going will be slow, but topping out at the official summit marker is well worth the effort. 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. Generally speaking, if the hike is on National Forest land, there will not be any fees associated with accessing the hike. Whether you plan to summit one or all four peaks, always plan toLeave No Trace. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). This is probably the most popular 14er hike in the Denver region. There are plenty of options to expand or shrink your route. If you can, try to time your visit between late May and early June since this is when the waterfall is at its best. Youll never know what you could find! This hike is in Rocky Mountain National Park about 15 minutes from Estes Park. For more information about hiking in the Boulder area, check out our article on the best hikes in Boulder. This 486-mile trail stretches from Denver to Durango and is the highest thru-hike in America. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the Royal Arch Trail. 35% percent of land in Colorado is public land or a whopping 23 million acres. Longs Peak. However, top towns in Colorado for hiking include: The best hiking months in Colorado are from June through late September when most of the best hikes in Colorado are devoid of snow. From granite snow-capped views to breathtaking alpine blooms and emerald-green lakes, endless beauty, wonder, and adventure awaits. REI member since 2018. (Photo Credit: Hiking Project Contributor. The trail ends at the natural rock arch of Royal Arch, which offers a unique vantage point of Boulder and views to the north and south along the Front Range. This beautiful alpine lake is tucked away at thebase of Longs Peak, one of the most iconic and dangerousfourteenersin the state. Another unique feature is Dinosaur Ridge, a National Natural Landmark with preserved dinosaur tracks, to the east. Garden of the Gods Perkins Central Garden Trail (Colorado Springs) AllTrails/Brian Mehringer. This is the high country so be sure to bring extra layers and drink plenty of water. In the summer, wildflowers are abundant. Beautiful turquoise waters await adventure seekers willing to make the trek gaining more than 3,000 feet in elevation. Dont poop above treeline. Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock). While hiking in snow or mud, gaiters can be great to throw over your pants as well. Best enjoyed in the summer and fall, hiking in the Sawatch should be on everyones to-do list. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. . A small baggie to pack out trash such as fruit peels/cores, snack bags, toilet paper, and other waste. Hiking at altitude is tough work. Distance: 14.5 milesElevation gain: 4,911 feetDifficulty: extremely difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is not a hike to be taken lightly. To the south, you will have views of Blue Lakes and North Star Mountain across the valley. Tucked away in Rocky Mountain National Park, the hike to Alberta Falls is an easy, out and back trail that will take you to some stunning falls in the park with incredible views. Also, dont attempt the climb if there is a chance of a thunderstorma fairly common summer afternoon occurrence. Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. 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. Season: Memorial Day through mid-October. Dog-friendly. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. There are several parking areas located along Gold Camp Road and while none are very large, you will have a few lots to choose from. Enjoy the scenery from the trail to avoid tramping this beloved environment. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). According to the National Park Service, Star Dune hikers should plan for a five-hour round trip. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Hikers will enjoy pleasant spring weather along the Front Range and stunning summers and autumns in the mountains. If youre looking for an easy trail with great mountain and city views, check out Alderfer Three Sisters Trail. Photo Credit: Zach Dischner. A small, packable rain jacket can be great to throw in your pack. The aspen-lined mill turns from green to gold, peaking from mid-September to early October. If you are looking for a shorter or easier outing, the. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. As the trailhead is located around 11,000 feet in elevation, the tree coverage is pretty sparse right from the beginning. It covers more than 39,000 miles of trails on public land, as well as private land with public access. Location: I-70 corridor, a little under 3-hour drive from Denver. For more information please visit the RNMP website. The trail to the summit gains 3,229 feet over the course of just over 3 miles. Dont get caught unprepared, heres what you should bring on every Colorado hike: Before you head out on any Colorado hike, keep these tips in mind: Start early! The hike to Royal Arch hits all the highlights in a fairly manageable distance, but the incline isnt easy, so come prepared for a leg-burning climb. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. This is a family-friendly hike that should not be missed in Colorado. This is one of Colorados most famous lakes. 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. Headed back east, Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most unexpectedly beautiful places in Colorado. The area around the trail ( McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area) has dozens of arches, giant alcoves, pictographs and petroglyphs, natural bridges, and spires. While the park is popular enough that you wont have the trails to yourself, there are miles of trails to explore so you can pick and choose your own route to either escape the crowds or follow the well-used paths to the popular viewpoints. 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. For this reason, it's best to always keep pets leashed. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. A stunning hike near Glenwood Springs (also declared a National Natural Landmark), Hanging Lake features incredible alpine views and a fascinating trek through the rugged wilderness. Cross-referencing that app with All-Trails, or the Outbound App can prove for some awesome adventures. 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. Complete a classic Colorado climb with this advanced hike to the tallest peak in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks for the article! See my guide to hiking Colorado 14ers for more info. Afternoon thunderstorms are dangerous and kill hikers each year. Follow the signs to Rogers Pass Lake (pictured), a destination youll encounter just before reaching Heart Lake. 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Hopefully, this provides a great introduction to some of the best places to hike in Colorado. You can even continue on to the famous Sky Pond. Local Tip: This trail has been undergoing restoration work and will re-open on June 25th, 2022. Its also only 3.2 miles long and takes you past some gorgeous alpine lakes. The trail heads deeper into Tyndall Gorge until reaching Emerald Lake, which is tucked under the rocky summits of Hallett and Flattop. The Chicago lakes hike provides a great way to hike and take in the views while avoiding the large groups of people that drive to the summit of Mt. It is common to spot mountain goats on the peak as well, so be awareespecially if you are hiking with a dog. The unbelievable electric blue waters of Ice Lake make this one of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. At this peaceful spot, you can catch a glimpse of Longs Peak as well as the distinct summit of Hallett Peak. This route is one of the most popular hikes in the state with the stunning Maroon Bells 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. This loop is a mix of aerobically challenging climbing combined with pleasant views. Please be sure to visit the RMNP website for more information on the current permitting process for parking and entrance to the park. Made famous as being one of the best rock climbing areas in Colorado, this area is also home to some amazing hikes. Its $25 to enter the park. As one of the classic Boulder hikes, youll get an up-close view of the famous Flatirons. , which follows the north shore of Dream Lake and continues to climb for another half mile. . The beautiful scenery passes by a few small lakes and ponds before the final push to Ptarmigan Lake. For an easy and beautiful Colorado hike that is as short and sweet as it is iconic, look no further than the Garden of the Gods and its Perkins Central Garden Trail! As the slope increases, you will climb toward the ponderosa pines and wooded slopes of the Boulder foothills. Season: June, July, and August. The hike also starts off relatively easy and that gets progressively more intense once you get past Little Causeway Lake and the Chinese Wall. Snowshoes and micro-spikes can be used on higher elevation trails well into May. It's also important to note that if you have a 4WD vehicle, you will be able to cut down on some of the mileage as you get closer to the trailhead. No dogs. Most popular in summer and for fall colors in late September. From the deep Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the highest point in Colorado on Mount Elbert, there is a lifetime of hiking to explore. While the natural wonder can be reached by car, a quick trek will also take you there. Carry a wag bag and pack your poop out or stay below the trees! Beautiful Hikes - Colorado Bend State Park. The unbelievably turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make it an incredibly beautiful adventure. You can also access one of the best hikes in Colorado from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and then set off from there. This ridge is a segment of the Dakota Hogback, a distinct, fin-like ridge that marks the edge of the mountains and the plains. Once you reach the fire tower, which is situated at 9,748 feet, the 360-degree views are fantastic. I-70 area related Read: the 10 best hikes near Grand Junction, Colorado winter. Location: I-70 corridor, a National natural landmark with preserved Dinosaur tracks, to the famous Flatirons stunning.... If the hike wonder offers a serene escape laced with captivating Mountain beauty to climb another. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado, this fire tower was one of most! 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