Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). For natural beauty and serenity, make the steep more than 14-mile trek to Lone Eagle Peak. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). Be sure to be physically prepared for this hike. 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. Dog-friendly. Maroon Bells, near Aspen, are two of Colorado's most famous mountains and are well known for their views. The entire trail takes around 1 month to complete as a thru-hike. Note that from mid-June through September between 8:30am 5:00pm, a shuttle is required to take to the trailhead. It is extremely steep. Like other 14er hikes, it is very important to start early and end early. Distance: 2.6 milesElevation gain: 1,141 feetDifficulty: Easy to ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. From here, you briefly connect to the Red Rocks Trail before the serious climb starts on the Morrison Slide Trail. According to the National Park Service, Star Dune hikers should plan for a five-hour round trip. Photo Credit: MBPROJEKT_Maciej_Bledowski (iStock). The well-maintained trails and paved paths that wind through the park make this a family- and beginner-friendly destination. Just hike the path of least resistance! While hiking is generally free in Colorado, national parks and now more of the best state parks in Colorado are requiring visitors without a vehicle to pay an entrance fee. Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. This guide includes: Get oriented with this map of Colorado Hikes. Wildflowers decorate the lush green landscape surrounding the alpine lakes. BISON PEAK Bison Peak is considered one of Colorado's best trails for the early summer months. . 22. If hiking the loop counterclockwise, start on the Palmer Trail, which is best accessed from the Section 16 Trailhead on Gold Camp Road. The amazing part about hiking in Colorado is that not all hikes need to take a full day. Be on the lookout for mountain goats in the summer. Some are better accessed with 4-wheel drive, and some are even only accessible by shuttle. While this loop will take you away from the hustle of nearby Colorado Springs, dont expect to be alone, as this popular trail can get quite crowded, especially in the evenings and on the weekends during the summer. It's also one of the best spots in the state for capturingfall colors. Located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, Bear Creek Canyon Regional Park is tucked away in the rolling and forested foothills of Pikes Peak. The 14,259 ft Longs Peak is one of the most climbed 14ers in Colorado thanks to its convenient location. No dogs. , a wide dirt road that connects back to the trailhead. Climb your way up to Island Lake (another 15 to 20-minute walk) for a scene that is simply jaw-dropping. Hiking water bottle for hydration 4. Another unique feature is. . Soak in the beauty of James Peak Wilderness as you make your way to Heart Lake via Rogers Pass Trail. Error! Here is an article about getting altitude sickness in Colorado. other alpine lakes, including Nymph and Dream. Distance: 3 milesElevation gain: 1,135 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Beat the crowds and go for sunrise. that is degrading to another person. popular destinations in the Ouray area due to its stunning natural beauty, rich history and colorful wildflowers. GARDEN OF THE GODS CENTRAL GARDEN TRAIL 6. Location: Northern Front Range. Best enjoyed in the summer and fall, hiking in the Sawatch should be on everyones to-do list. Enjoy them, but do your part to make sure that someone a year, a decade, or a century from now can enjoy the area too. Breathtaking is an appropriate way to describe the loop in many ways, as the route gains more than 7,300 feet and climbs above 12,000 feet at four different passesBuckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Airand West Maroon. 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. 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. Also be aware of the fact that visitors are charged $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person to enter the park. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, The only 4-day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary Youll Ever Need. This is by far the most photographed spot in Colorado. For more information, please visit the town of Glenwood Springs website. Experience the surreal beauty of Colorado on these 22 incredible treks through the high country. A popular trail in this area is Seven Bridges Trail which is a 3.8 mile trail that is moderately difficult. There are many different factors to consider while hiking in Colorado. Theres something iconic about the sprawling Sawatch Range. The Mount Evans wilderness areas have plenty of stunning views and great hikes. Be sure to admire the sunflowers in the summer. Hanging Lake Hike Reopening June 25th 2022 (requires reservations) Distance: 2.4 miles Round Trip Drive Time from Denver: 2 Hours 45 Minutes Difficulty: Moderate Hanging Lake is a short, but demanding hike to two waterfalls and one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. On the west side, you will spot the famous, , and to the east, White Rock. Local Tip: If you love peak bagging check out Grays and Torreys Peak, two famous Colorado 14ers nearby. Between the general region of the San Juans and the southern front range. Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy at Emerald Lake before your return journey. (Photo Credit: Hiking Project Contributor Chad DuBois). Distance: 4.6 milesElevation gain: 213 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. 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. Snowshoes are recommended in the early season. 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. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. From here, you have one final pass to completeWest Maroon Pass on the. This famous park near downtown Colorado Springs is a must-see. Don't knowingly lie about anyone A series of steep and rocky switchbacks will take you to the lake. Hopefully by 2023 the park will have permission to start . Be Truthful. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); great article will definitely try these hikes! 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. Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. This hike is very challenging due to the high starting elevation, and its elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. Photo Credit: Matt Vincent. (Photo Credit: Hiking Project Contributor Evan Ovalle). This is hike is incredibly difficult and should only be attempted by very experienced hikers. Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock). In fact, this is one of the best lake hikes in Colorado and hiking Lake Haiyaha is a real treat for winter. Therefore, be prepared to do a bit of scrambling before savoring the incredible views all around you. For the purpose of this article, we will divide the state into different regions and look at some of the best hikes in different parts of the state. 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. 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. A set of hiking poles 12 Top Colorado Springs Trails & Hikes 1. 35% percent of land in Colorado is public land or a whopping 23 million acres. Mayflower Lake and Mohawk Lakes Trail. For the best experience, try visiting any time between May and October. Waste does not break down this high up. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). TheDecalibron Looptraverses over fourColorado 14ersin Pike National Forest located near the mountain town of Alma. Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Distance: 6.7 milesElevation gain: 764 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Evans as well. Photo Credit: John Fielder. 20 Most Beautiful Hikes in Colorado. Sneffels is a Telluride classic and is one of the 14ers in the area. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Keep your eyes on the trail for wildlife. Looking east from this vantage point gives you a view of downtown Denver. Be sure to have checked the forecast multiple times, and do always bring extra layers as well as a rain jacket. 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. If you are flying into Colorado, Denver International Airport is the best option. This large area will include hiking near the popular ski resorts of Colorado. (Mercury must be in retrograde.) Distance: 1.9 milesElevation Gain: 49 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs are allowed and youll need an advanced parking reservation or shuttle reservation when the road to the trailhead is open. It is not a bad idea to wear a climbing helmet for the 3rd class scramble, as there are lots of loose rocks. Snowshoes can be helpful after heavy snowfall. Due to the high exposure of this hike, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes with you, all year round! 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. 6. The trail starts mellow and quickly builds up to steep elevation gains. A lighter snow season will allow for earlier season hiking. (Stan Behal/Toronto Sun/Postmedia . The next section will now include some of the best hiking in Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to world-class hiking trails. Compared to the rest of the country, cell service in Colorado is not that great. As with all above-treeline routes, start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and be sure to pack appropriately with food, water, sunscreen and extra layers. 2022 5. With miles of trails, the park is a great jumping-off point for a short hike, a long outing or even just a picnic at the park with the Flatirons as your backdrop. Yankee Boy Basin 476 Hiking Trails Geologic Formations By PatrickDelhougne . Photo Credit: Stephen Martin, OutThere Colorado. Local Tip: If youre. Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. Chasm Lake is fishable from June to October. Located in Roxborough State Park, this is one of the best easy hikes near Denver that takes you on a fun trek past some of the best scenery in the park. Torreys sits at 14,267 feet and offers equally stunning views. Situated north of Red Rocks Park, Matthews/Winters Park offers a unique vantage point looking south toward Red Rocks. 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. 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. Chief Mountain. Its $25 to enter the park. There is limited parking both at the main Chautauqua Park and along the street, and if you are visiting during peak hours or during the summer, consider taking the, Starting from the main parking area, take, , a wide, hard-packed trail that climbs between a neighborhood on the east and a wide meadow on the west. 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. Sneffels allows one to get a great sense of just how vast the San Juans really are. Its rugged and long and is only hike on this list that requires a helmet. When hiking above the treeline, it is incredibly important to watch the weather and be off the summit before 2pm. Due to the low level of difficulty and its proximity to Denver, this hike can get very popular. The journey toChasm Lakeis a must for any hiker seeking the mountain's tranquil beauty. 220 Reviews #1 of 4 things to do in Bend. Sand Canyon Mesa is one of the closest hiking trails to Colorado Springs. This trail offers amazing hiking year-round (psst, its one of my favorite Colorado winter hikes). The road is open all year round, but for best conditions, plan to do this hike in June, July, and August. 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