most beautiful hikes in colorado

: Boulder, CO, in Chautauqua Park, 2 miles southwest of downtown Boulder, : A classic hike at the base of the Flatirons, Known as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Boulder could keep you occupied for weeks with its multitude of trails in close vicinity to downtown. Pictures don't do the lakes justice. 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. (Photos Credit: Hiking Project Contributor Nick Wilder). Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be kept on leash. One such hike is the Ice Lake Trail which takes hikers on a 3.7-mile journey through beautiful trees to the lake, which has a mesmerizing blue color. We use affiliate links in our content andmay receive a small commission on your purchases. : 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. Always understand that the weather generally comes from the west, and keep an eye on storms. Additionally, the road to the trailhead is closed seasonally, usually from December to April. There are different difficulties of hiking for all levels and interests. Get your fix of adventure by climbing one of the tallest sand dunes in North America (Star Dune), rising beautifully over 750 feet tall in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. 5 Must-Have Hiking Essentials 1. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to world-class hiking trails. Season: While it can be hiked all year round, the most popular time to hike is in the summer. The journey toChasm Lakeis a must for any hiker seeking the mountain's tranquil beauty. Herman Gulch is one of the most accessible high alpine hiking trails in Colorado. Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock). You'll find this 3.2-mile out-and-back adventure hidden right off of Monarch Pass. You can even continue on to the famous Sky Pond. Can We Interest You in Some Of These Stories Instead? 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. For a mellow introduction to hiking in the park, hit up the 4 iconic alpine lakes including the famous Emerald Lake along this famous hiking trail. : Estes Park, CO, in Rocky Mountain National Park, 50 miles northwest of Boulder, : A tour of three picturesque lakes in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, With more than 300 miles of trails and some of the best-known scenery in the state, Rocky Mountain National Park is a well-loved hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. Dog-friendly. Photo Credit: Zach Dischner. There are two main lakes to visit on the ice lake basin trail hike. Found in Rocky Mountain National Park, cross the natural wonder of Emerald Lakeoff your bucket list. When planning your trip, keep in mind that parking can be scarce at the eastern trailheads, especially in the summer. 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. Pants will also be nice to have in case of a rogue thunderstorm. If youre just getting into summiting mountains, then head up to the top of Mount Sniktau. Go for sunrise. Youll need special gear, or you can hire a guide for an adventure you wont forget. A little more than 6 miles in, you will turn onto the, . If you can, try to time your visit between late May and early June since this is when the waterfall is at its best. 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. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, The white and lavender Rocky Mountain Columbine, designated as the official state flower, can be found sprouting along the trail. 35% percent of land in Colorado is public land or a whopping 23 million acres. It provides stunning views of three different lakes and Hallet Peak, a 11,000-foot mountain that is popular amongst rock climbers. Its a popular, but challenging, 7.5-mile, out-and-back hike that will take you through the gorgeous, Mount Evans Wilderness area. And if youre feeling energetic, you can always do this hike in tandem with several other treks in the area. The trail reaches its peak elevation around 7,800 feet at 2.5 miles with noteworthy views to the south. Also, try and do this trek after a rain so that the waterfall looks rad. This area is known for its heavy winds. Combine this hike with one of the most scenic drives near Denver for an epic day outside. Your body needs to acclimate to a higher elevation. Its hard to select just one town in Colorado with the best hiking. Evans. Distance: 3.7 milesElevation gain: 416 feetDifficulty: easyRed Tape and Local Tips: Beat the crowds and go early. The towering red rock formations of Garden of the Gods create a memorable backdrop for this easily accessible hike located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. The next mile is the most strenuous, and where you will gain most of the loops 1,200 feet of elevation. If youre planning a visit to this remote destination, please follow the. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. Once over your second pass, you get a bit of a respite on the Fravert Basin Trail, which traverses a wide, high-altitude basin that is carpeted in wildflowers in season. This wide and well-traveled trail leads south from Bear Lake through pine and aspen forests before skirting around the northeastern shore of Nymph Lake. The next mile is the most strenuous, and where you will gain most of the loops 1,200 feet of elevation. The best time of year to hike in Colorado. Please follow these rules when visiting and remember, when you're exploring to leave absolutely no trace. Additional resources for planning a hiking trip to Colorado. It includes Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Rico. These massive sand dunes rise out of the ground and lay low beneath the Rocky Mountains. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. Its also one of the best Colorado backpacking trips too! Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). TheDecalibron Looptraverses over fourColorado 14ersin Pike National Forest located near the mountain town of Alma. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. Be Proactive. Although only a mile apart, this traverse will take some time. Even in the winter, the Front Range sees plenty of mild and sunny days when the trails dry out enough for a hike. Continue on the. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. 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. The hike starts from Monarch Lake on the Cascade Trail on some easy switchbacks through aspen and pine groves, winding along Buchanan Creek. You will need to watch your footing on the slope of Grays as you climb to the summit at 14,270 feet. Distance: 14.6 milesElevation Gain: 2,375 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. 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. Hopefully by 2023 the park will have permission to start . The Garden of the Gods Inner Loop starts on the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a paved lollipop loop that is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. However, keep in mind that many trailheads become inaccessible in the winter. This is by far the most photographed spot in Colorado. SAN LUIS PEAK 4. There are 54 peaks over 14,000 feet in Colorado, and all of them have challenging hiking options! The Dream Lake Trail continues to climb from Nymph Lake up into Tyndall Gorge, crossing Tyndall Creek before coming to the eastern edge of, . Distance: 2.5 milesElevation Gain: 885 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Distance: 1.8 miles. 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. As the bloom begins, please remember to stay on the trail and do not pick, touch, or trample the wildflowers. Parts of the trailhead may also be inaccessible during these months. Hiking at altitude is tough work. 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. Located about one hour from Denver, this popular hike leads to an extraordinary destinationDevils Head Lookout. Chief Mountain. Longs Peak (Estes Park) Every peak bagger should add the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak to their bucket list. Cotton can cause hypothermia, even in summer. Distance: 10.3 milesElevation gain: 4,442 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Start early (like 4 am early) to beat afternoon thunderstorms. Ascending further up the trail, you'll find mine ruins just before reaching lower Mohawk Lake. Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). This ultimate guide to the best hikes in Colorado gives you an array of local hiking recommendations for all abilities. Teens and pre-teens are one of the most sought-after spending crowds, with retailers looking for ways to win their business. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. However, if you plan on adventuring above the trees, start early in the morning to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. People die or get rescued off of this mountain every year for biting off more than they can chew. GARDEN OF THE GODS CENTRAL GARDEN TRAIL 6. Each alpine wonder offers a serene escape laced with captivating mountain beauty. Bridal Veil Falls are the highest free-falling waterfalls in Colorado, at 365 feet high. 2. Due to the high exposure of this hike, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes with you, all year round! 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. This short loop packs a scenic punch as it passes some of the largest rock formations in the park. Some of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado include Mount Bierstadt, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bison Peak, Star Dune at Great Sand Dunes National Park, Lion Lakes at Rocky Mountain National Park, San Luis Peak, Lost Man Lake, and Mount Elbert. Photo Credit: Melissa Woolf (iStock). 20 Most Beautiful Hikes in Colorado. The next section will now include some of the best hiking in Colorado. Winter brings solitude through deep snow in the woods. This trail is accessible in the winter, but due to road closures, it would add upwards of 7 miles each way. : Deckers, CO, in Pike National Forest, 45 miles south of Denver, : 360-degree views from a historic fire tower. At 14,440 feet of elevation, this is the highest point in all of Colorado. South Colony Lakes holds a special place in my heart. The 15 Best Hikes in Colorado - PureWow Something Went Wrong. Featuring hiking trails found throughout the state, theres a breathtaking hike virtually anywhere! Continue on another one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and attempt this semi-challenging out and back hike. Trailhead Location: Pandora Public Parking and Trailhead. Kristen is a native Coloradan and longtime runner who enjoys running on the track, roads and now on the trails. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. Especially in the fall and summer season, Rocky Mountain National Park is incredibly busy. The best time to visit is from July through September. Season: All year-round. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, Yellow and pink varieties of wildflowers bloom along the alpine tundra as the creek waters gently tumble. Between the general region of the San Juans and the southern front range. 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. Season: June, July, and August. Once you reach the fire tower, which is situated at 9,748 feet, the 360-degree views are fantastic. Success! 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. You will be rewarded for your efforts with scenic views to the south toward the distinctive, slanted rock formations of Red Rocks. Check and double-check the weather. This is one of the best fall hikes in Colorado that doesnt get smashed with people. Being on an exposed ridge top on a late summer day is one of the most dangerous places to be while hiking. . It is tough to narrow down the best Colorado hiking trails and hikes, but you definitely cant go wrong with any of these ones. 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. Waters gently tumble and the southern Front range sees plenty of warm with! 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