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. Success! The round-trip journey clocks in at about 2.1 miles gaining close to 900 feet in elevation. Even for someone that lives in Colorado, anyone can get altitude sickness when hiking up high, most commonly above 8,000 feet. From here, you have one final pass to completeWest Maroon Pass on the West Maroon Trail. Location: San Juans. Around 11,700 feet, the trees thin out entirely, and you can see the ridge that you will be climbing to the west. If you get an early start, you can park at the Maroon Lake parking area. Here are the regions we will use. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Keep in mind, youll need to shuttle cars from point A to point B if youre section hiking. Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the. Chautauqua Park is one of the highlights of the area, located at the base of Boulders iconic Flatirons. 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. You'll find this 3.2-mile out-and-back adventure hidden right off of Monarch Pass. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). Photo Credit: SumikoPhoto (iStock). From the Bear Lake Trailhead, start on the, . Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). Each alpine wonder offers a serene escape laced with captivating mountain beauty. Hikers will enjoy pleasant spring weather along the Front Range and stunning summers and autumns in the mountains. This section of the hike passes through a verdant high-alpine meadow where the wildflowers are plentiful in season. It also depends on the snow year. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Snowshoes and micro-spikes can be used on higher elevation trails well into May. The trick? Information on distance, elevation gain, location, difficulty, permit requirements, and dog-friendliness. Be sure to have checked the forecast multiple times, and do always bring extra layers as well as a rain jacket. Photo Credit: Stephen Martin, OutThere Colorado. : Morrison, CO, in Matthews/Winters Park, 15 miles west of Denver, : An easily accessible hike on Colorados Front Range. 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. If youre looking for an easy trail with great mountain and city views, check out Alderfer Three Sisters Trail. Location: Northern front range. This is a must-do in the San Juans if you are up for a challenging hike. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Rocky Mountain National Park is home to world-class hiking trails. Generally speaking, the high country is referred to as the area at 9,000 feet and above. The road to get to the upper trailhead is notoriously rugged, so if you have a two-wheel-drive or low-clearance vehicle, plan to park at the lower trailhead and add some mileage to your hike. The majority of the roads up to the high alpine backcountry do not open until June every season. Explore one of 1,477 family-friendly hikes for a sunny weekend. Chief Mountain. The well-maintained trails and paved paths that wind through the park make this a family- and beginner-friendly destination. The 4.5-mile path will lead you to a historical mill that now sits abandoned above the Crystal River in Gunnison County. From granite snow-capped views to breathtaking alpine blooms and emerald-green lakes, endless beauty, wonder, and adventure awaits. Popular hiking trails include the Garden of the Gods Loop, Rocks and Vistas Garden of the Gods, Susan G. Bretag and Palmer Loop, and Siamese Twins Loop. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Waterfalls of Minnesota: Your Guide to the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the Stat at the best online prices at eBay! Photo Credit: Irwin Badeaux, A photo shows the sign informing visitors to stay off the log at Hanging Lake, a popular Colorado destination that has had a large increase in traffic over the past decade. Hiking weather in Colorado is incredibly variable and can change at any time. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. The shaded trail passes through conifer forests interspersed with rock formations and outcroppings. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. While there is plenty of hiking all year round, hiking into the high alpine is best during July and August. Rise early to catch a mountain sunrise guaranteed to leave you speechless. 2. 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. 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. These geographical regions are subjective but will provide a good layout of hiking in the state. Towards the summit there may be a few rocky sections, be on the lookout for loose rocks. Although only a mile apart, this traverse will take some time. For killer views of eastern Colorado, Pikes Peak, and the Rocky Mountains check out Devils Head Lookout. This hike provides a great introduction to hiking in Colorado and the Boulder Open Space trails. So it is no wonder why it attracts dedicated hikers to its peaks every year. This trail appears to dead-end at Mirror Lake, a small lake with Lone Eagle Peak in the background. While hiking in Colorado, it is advisable to wear hiking boots that give your feet and ankles good support. Towns like Telluride, Silverton, and Durango will be nearby for hiking in this region. Dogs and fishing are also not allowed. You can learn more about avalanche forecasting and avalanche safety at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The Garden of the Gods Inner Loop starts on the, , a paved lollipop loop that is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. This hike has fantastic views of the mountains in the front range and Summit county. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, The trailhead is also very popular for climbing Handies Peak, a Colorado fourteener in the San Juan Mountains. Arrive at the TH before 7 am. In just under a mile, this trail gains an astonishing 905 feet in elevation. The Garden of the Gods Inner Loop starts on the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a paved lollipop loop that is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Treasure Falls, Colorado 81147, USA. 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. Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. Season: Memorial Day through mid-October. 2236 Park Hill Dr, P. O. The journey toChasm Lakeis a must for any hiker seeking the mountain's tranquil beauty. The best time to visit is from July through September. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). Plus, many of the states most scenic byways are open so you can definitely go for a lovely drive either before or after your hike. The hikes in this area are commonly at higher altitudes and will often start at 9,000 or 10,000 feet above sea level. Located in the Tenmile Range, Quandary Peak tops out at 14,265 feet, making it the 13th highest peak in Colorado. The west end of this narrow lake is framed by Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. There are also great groups on Facebook that post trail conditions. This road is only open in the summer months. Different public lands have different guidelines and restrictions, so it is important to be familiar with the area that you are hiking in. A look at the tail-end of a sunrise as it hits the boulder field just below the Keyhole. If youre planning a visit to this remote destination, please follow the. person will not be tolerated. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. The hike then loops back north along the Red Rocks Trail to return to the trailhead. Nestled outside of the beautiful mountain town of Breckenridge, the sparkling alpine waters combined with granite views and colorful blooms offers up the perfect summer escape. 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. If so then why not try this stellar out and back hike? 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). It's also important to note that avalanche hazards also exist in the valley. The 14,259 ft Longs Peak is one of the most climbed 14ers in Colorado thanks to its convenient location. Photo Credit: kwiktor (iStock). Popular fall hiking can be found in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and near the towns of Vail and Aspen. Photo Credit: Steven Bratman. About 20 minutes outside of Silverton, CO. Photo Credit: MBPROJEKT_Maciej_Bledowski (iStock). 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. Join once, enjoy forever. 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. Beautiful waterfalls seep into the brightly colored lake. Colorado Maroon Bells - Crater Lake Reflection Horizontal. For an easy, mellow hike, head to the Interlaken Trail. Fall would be the best time to make this hike. From here, follow the Buckskin Pass Trail back to the trailhead to complete the loop. 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. We use affiliate links in our content andmay receive a small commission on your purchases. Because as you make your way to this idyllic waterfall, the incline picks up and can feel really intense. For more information about hiking in the Boulder area, check out our article on the best hikes in Boulder. It is recommended to go early in the morning or late in the evening. Explore the most popular trails in my list 101 most beautiful hikes in colorado with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Winter brings solitude through deep snow in the woods. Attempting this hike in the winter is a serious mountaineering undertaking and should not be done without any experience. Hikers can bag four peaks in a single day trek including Mount Bross (14,172 feet), Mount Lincoln (14,286 feet), Mount Cameron (14,238 feet) and Mount Democrat (14,148 feet). Many hikes in Colorado are accessible with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. The road is rather rocky and a 44 car is recommended. Nestled in the Indian Peaks Wilderness lies the wow-worthy granite spectacle. Rocky Mountain National Park is a truly breathtaking area and a great introduction to Colorado. While not a very challenging hike, this hike is on our list because of how unique it is. Here comes the big question! The trip takes about 2 hours and has chains to hold for the steep sections. Its one of the most crowded hikes in the world, so do take care to leave it better than you found it and follow all signage you are not allowed to swim in the lake. On a clear summer day, you will likely join a line of hikers on the way to the summits. This short loop packs a scenic punch as it passes some of the largest rock formations in the park. Colorado is the headquarters of hiking in the US, so it's not surprising that it has some of the most beautiful hikes in the country. Nestled beautifully in the San Juan Mountains, lies theIce Lake Basin. Due to the high exposure of this hike, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes with you, all year round! Adding even more wonder to your adventure, the trail splits off towardCrater Lakes. Dont attempt Longs Peak unless you are an experienced mountain hiker who isnt afraid of exposure to steep drops and knows a thing or two about scrambling. Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle, two of Colorados most famous 14ers (peaks above 14,000 feet high), create a beautifully dramatic backdrop. This is another great 14er hike to do in the I-70 area. Thats why they call it breckenwind! 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. 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. When hiking above the treeline, it is incredibly important to watch the weather and be off the summit before 2pm. Acclimatize properly. While shorts may be more comfortable for lower elevation hikes in the heat, It is advisable to wear long pants, regardless of the outside temperature. 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