With hundreds of trails to choose from, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. I’ve narrowed it down to the 25 best hikes in Colorado near Denver, ranging from an easy half-mile lake stroll to an epic 11.2-mile round trip from East Inlet to Lone Pine Lake. Each hike comes with distance, elevation gain, difficulty, and permit requirements, plus the best time of year to go, so you can find stunning mountain views, waterfall hikes, and alpine lakes without venturing far from the city.
Chris and I have hiked most of these trails over the years, some multiple times, so you can trust these recommendations come straight from the trail. I’ve done all the leg work for you (pun intended), from local trail tips to a full Colorado hiking gear list, so this guide covers everything you need to plan your adventure in the Centennial State.
25 Hikes in Colorado Near Denver from A to Z
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This collection of hikes covers real scenic variety—rivers and streams, thundering waterfalls, alpine lakes, and plenty of wildlife sightings along the way. Whether you’re building your Colorado hiking bucket list or just looking for a great day on the trail, these hikes deliver.
While most hikes are accessible year round, Denver winter hikes require some advance preparation—the Rocky Mountains don’t mess around in winter. Be sure to check reservation requirements in the summer months, and if you’re planning a bigger Colorado adventure, don’t miss my complete Colorado Road Trip guide for the best stops across the Centennial State.
RMNP Basics from May to October*
Many hikes on this list fall inside Rocky Mountain National Park. From MID-MAY through MID-OCTOBER, that means a timed entry reservation through Recreation.gov is required in addition to having an America the Beautiful park pass.
- Timed Entry Reservation — Needed for hikes everywhere in RMNP from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, excluding Bear Lake Road. You can enter the park (except for Bear Lake Road) before 9:00 am and after 2:00 pm without a reservation.
- Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road — Needed for entry to the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Your reservation will be checked at a 2nd ranger station at the corridor entrance. A reservation is valid from 5:00 am – 6:00 pm. You can also visit anywhere in RMNP with your reservation.
- Reservations are only $2.
- You are given a 2-hour time slot for entrance but can stay in the park as long as you like.
- Reservations are released on a rolling monthly schedule, so plan ahead in summer. For example, if you want to hike in RMNP in June, reservations are released on May 1st at 8:00 am. Reservations go within minutes.
- Additional timed entry reservations are released on a first-come, first-served basis on Recreation.gov at 7:00 pm MDT the night before a desired arrival date.
- The Bear Lake parking lot fills fast. Do yourself a favor and park at the Park & Ride at the start of Bear Lake Road and take the shuttle up to the Bierstadt Trailhead, Glacier Gorge Junction or Bear Lake. The shuttle isn’t optional in summer—rangers will turn you back at the Bear Lake Trailhead lot if it’s full. Just saying.
1. Adams Falls
Chris and I first hiked East Inlet Trail on a summer visit years ago stopping first for a look at Adams Falls. The waterfall was at its peak with a roaring flow. The hike is an easy, short lollipop loop just off the East Inlet Trailhead, which makes it one of quick and easy hikes near Grand Lake—no serious elevation, no technical terrain, just a payoff waterfall at the end—perfect for families with young children.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 104 feet (31.7 m)
- Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall for full water flow
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation*
2. Alberta Falls Trail
Alberta Falls is one of our family’s favorite easy hikes—a family-friendly, well-marked trail that works for pretty much every age and fitness level. The trailhead sits at the Glacier Gorge Junction, and thanks to its popularity, that lot fills up fast.
Alberta Falls is one of the most popular hikes in all of Rocky Mountain National Park, and you will need to be sure to have a timed-entry + Bear Lake Road reservation to access the trailhead between 5:00 am and 6:00 pm from late May to mid-October.
It was only a couple of years ago that Chris and I discovered via the AllTrails App that the trailhead continues on past Alberta Falls to Mills Lake, Black Lake, and Lake Haiyaha.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) round trip
- Elevation gain: 236 feet (71.9 m)
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation + Bear Lake Road*
3. Bear Lake Nature Trail
We’ve actually walked this one, back when the girls were younger, tracing the full loop around the lake with Hallett Peak looming over the far shore the whole way. These days it’s less of a destination for us and more the launching pad for everything else in this corner of RMNP—Alberta Falls, Lake Helene, Lake Haiyaha, Odessa Lake, etc.
Don’t let the small size fool you. It’s flat, well-maintained, and one of the most photographed spots in the entire park, which makes it worth the walk even if you’re just passing through on your way to something bigger.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) around
- Elevation Gain: 49 feet (14.9 m)
- Best time to visit: Year-round; sunrise or dusk to avoid crowds
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation + Bear Lake Road*
4. Bierstadt Lake Trail
Chris and I have have hiked into Bierstadt Lake from both ends and learned this one the hard way: don’t start at the Bierstadt Trailhead. That side throws almost 600 feet of elevation gain at you in under a mile, switchbacks and all, before you’ve even warmed up. Start at Bear Lake instead and hike down to Bierstadt—same lake, a fraction of the climb, and you’ll thank me later.
Once you’re up top, the trail levels into an easy loop around the water, with views back toward Longs Peak and the Continental Divide. It’s a favorite for a reason.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate from the Bear Lake Trailhead
- Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 656 feet (200 m)
- Best Time to Visit: June to October
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation + Bear Lake Road*
Shuttle buses within the Bear Lake Road Corridor of RMNP make frequent stops at the Bierstadt Trailhead for pick ups and drop offs, as well as at Glacier Gorge and Bear Lake.
5. Black Lake
This is the hike that taught me my limits: 5 to 6 miles is my sweet spot, 8 should be my ceiling—Black Lake blew past both, but it was worth every mile. The first stretch to Alberta Falls is easy, and Mills Lake pushes it to moderate. Past Jewel Lake, though, things get serious: marshy boardwalks, thinning crowds, and a final push up steep stone steps beside Ribbon Falls before Black Lake finally comes into view. We found a wind-sheltered spot to eat lunch and used trekking poles the whole way down—non-negotiable if you’re taking this one on.
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Distance: 9.6 miles (15.4 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet (518.2 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Summer through early fall; snow can linger into July
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation + Bear Lake Road*
6. Deer Mountain Trail
The Deer Ridge Junction is about 3 miles west of the Beaver Meadows Entrance in RMNP just outside of Estes Park. You can park along the roadside at the trailhead. This hike features 1,400 feet of elevation gain and pretty much starts climbing from the trailhead. You might argue, “You’re climbing a mountain! It is going to be steep.” True, but usually the elevation gain is not quite so dramatic. We climbed this trail in winter and it was chilly and windy the whole way; I wasn’t exactly on my game that day and slipped a couple of times heading back down. The trail itself changed under our feet as we hiked; muddy patches on the way up had frozen solid by the time we came back through just over two hours later.
It was worth it though. The summit view splits the difference perfectly: Estes Park on one side, the heart of RMNP on the other.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6.1 miles (9.8 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,397 feet (428.5 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Not in the Winter!
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation in summer. No permit required from mid-October to mid-May.*
Pro Tip * If you want one of the best views, hike this trail early in the morning to watch the sun rise over Estes Park. I hear it is epic.
7. East Inlet Trailhead to Lone Pine Lake
Chris and I came back to this trailhead in summer after a December trip to Adams Falls, curious what all that scenery looked like without ice on the ground. Past the falls, the trail opens into a wide meadow of tall grass with a river winding through it—the kind of view that makes you want it in your own backyard. After the meadow the serious climbing starts. We stopped for lunch in a shady spot on a cluster of granite steps and by mile 4.5 both of us were ready to call it. One more push and 1.4 miles later though, we were sinking onto boulders at Lone Pine Lake, thoroughly worn out and glad we didn’t quit early.
This one earns its Challenging rating honestly—it’s a long day, but the payoff meadow alone makes the first few miles worth it even if you turn around early.
- Difficulty: Starts out Easy—Becomes Challenging
- Distance: 10.7 miles (17.2 km) out and back
- Elevation Gain: 1,804 feet (550 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Year round in the meadow, May to October to Lone Pine Lake
- Permit: RMNP timed entry permit*
8. Garden of the Gods: Siamese Twins Loop Trail
This one’s a 30-minute drive from our house, which makes it our go-to for a spontaneous evening hike when Chris gets off work early. We took the Cabin Canyon route out to the Siamese Twins rock formation and back, and even on a Friday evening the park was busy—we ended up sharing the view with a couple taking their wedding photos in front of the formation.
The Siamese Twins are two sandstone spires with several natural windows between them, one of which famously frames Pikes Peak—our perspective looked west instead.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.6 miles (0.97 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 111 feet (33.8 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Sunrise or sunset for the best light through the rock window, open year round.
- Permit: None—free city park, no reservation needed.
9. Hanging Lake Trail
The trail doesn’t ease you in—it’s steps and boulders climbing up up up, broken up by seven or eight bridges crossing back and forth over the creek. A railing shows up right before the top, and you’ll want it. We detoured first to Spouting Rock, where the waterfall springs straight out of the mountainside and you can walk behind it, then dropped back down to Hanging Lake itself, skirted by Bridal Veil Falls with water so clear you can watch fish swim beneath the surface.
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Distance: 3.1 miles (5.0km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,062 feet (323.7 m)
- Best Time to Visit: mornings May to October, book early as permits sell out
- Permit: Hanging Lake reservation required, $12/person (Apr 30–Oct 31)
10. Lake Haiyaha Trail
Chris and I found Lake Haiyaha in the summer of 2021. It has since become my FAVORITE hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only because of the scenery in getting to the lake but also because the lake is a stunning turquoise blue.
Chris and I hiked past the trail to Lake Haiyaha a number of times before finally adding it on after our hike to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake along the Dream Lake Trail above Bear Lake. Lake Haiyaha was the lake that caused a quick intake of breath as we scrambled over giant boulders to reach it.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 745 feet (227.1 m)
- Best Time to Visit: June to October
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation + Bear Lake Road*
Related Post: 23 Instagram Worthy Beautiful Lakes Around the World
11. Lake Isabelle Trail
Chris booked our reservation at Brainard Lake Recreation Area, and on the drive in from the ranger station we picked up four college kids hitchhiking to the same trailhead—that was a first—they were great company for the last stretch. The trail itself passes through meadows and past Long Lake before climbing to Isabelle, framed by some of the sharpest peaks in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Keep your eyes on the brush along the way—we almost always spot a moose somewhere in this area, and nearly missed one grazing just off the trail on this very hike.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6.6 miles (10.6 kmk) out and back
- Elevation Gain: 675 feet (205.7 m)
- Best Time to Visit: July through September for wildflowers, snow lingers into early summer
- Reservation: Yes, Brainard Lake Recreation Area
12. Lily Lake Loop
Lily Lake is just over 6 miles outside of Estes Park and still within the boundaries of RMNP. It’s a flat, easy mile with barely any effort—wheelchair friendly too. We had it almost to ourselves under a stunningly blue sky, with clear views back toward Longs Peak and Mount Meeker the whole way around.
It is one of the easy hikes for all ages and skill levels.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.8 mile (1.29 km) loop
- Elevation Gain: 32 feet (9.8 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round; a good rainy-day or low-energy option
- Permit: We’ve never needed a RMNP reservation here, but rangers do check periodically—bring one if you’re visiting during peak timed-entry hours to be safe.*
13. Lily Pad Lake Trail
This was a turning point for us as a hiking family—the first trip where the kids didn’t complain the entire way, and the first year Kristen hiked without needing to hitch a ride partway. Chris found the trailhead just up the hill from our Silverthorne condo rental; a steep climb from the parking lot gets you to the actual trailhead, then it’s a gentler two miles from there to a lake that catches the sunlight just right.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 413 feet (125.9 m)
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Permit: None required, but limited parking—shuttle available via SummitStage.
14. Gem Lake Trail at Lumpy Ridge
The rock formations along this trail are incredible—Paul Bunyan’s Boot alone, a granite slab with a hole clean through it, is worth the hike. Push on past the boot to Gem Lake and then Balanced Rock, a genuine natural phenomenon that looks as though you could push it over with a gentle nudge. Note that no dogs are allowed on this trail. You’ll want to be there early as you might end up circling the lot waiting for a park spot.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 987 feet (300.8 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round; lower elevation means less snow than the rest of the park.
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation*
15. Manitou Incline
All hikers are required to make a FREE online reservation prior to climbing the Manitou Incline. Parking at the base of the incline is not free—plan to park at the Hiawatha Gardens lot instead and ride the free shuttle up to the trailhead.
Most people refer to this hike as simply “The Incline”. This strenuous hike is no joke. This is the one hike on this list Chris and I haven’t done yet. We live close enough to have no excuse, but we’re still psyching ourselves up for it. If you are not acclimated to the Colorado altitude, you may find this climb extra challenging with over 2,000 vertical feet to the summit. Consider it the stairmaster workout from hell! This is NOT one of the EASY hikes in Colorado!
Once you reach the summit, you will be met with confetti. Just kidding. But congratulations on the climb! The Incline Trail connects to the Barr Trail for a scenic, but steep, 3-mile path back down to the base of the mountain.
- Difficulty: Extreme
- Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) up the Incline and down the Barr Trail
- Elevation Gain: 2,020 feet (609.6 m) with 2,744 stairs
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime the incline is open and conditions are good
- Permit: Required for all climbers
16. Maroon Bells — Scenic Loop Trail
What are the Maroon Bells? Considered to be the most photographed mountains in North America, this series of 14,000 foot, bell-shaped, wine-colored peaks tower above the pristine Maroon Creek Valley.
Maroon Bells is among the most beautiful places in Colorado and should be on your Colorado hiking bucket list. There are a number of easy hikes in the area; the Scenic Loop Trail is perfect for families and anyone wishing for a nice meandering trail.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 49 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Fall, early in the morning, or evening golden hour for photos
- Permit: Reservation required May through October
Related Post: 25 Brilliant iPhone Travel Photography Tips You’ll Actually Use
17. McCullough Gulch Trail
The access road was closed on our visit, so we tacked on an extra 2 miles just to reach the trailhead—worth factoring in if it happens to you too. Starting around 11,000 feet with zero acclimation, this one humbled us fast: boulder scrambles, root-covered trail, and a slow climb up to nearly 12,000 feet. The waterfall along the way was stunning; the “lake” at the top (Upper Blue Reservoir) was honestly a letdown by comparison.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,607 feet (490 m)
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Permit: Parking reservation required (as of 2021); shuttle available from Breckenridge if unavailable.
Related Post: 21 Epic Things to Do In Breckenridge, Colorado this Summer
18. Mills Lake Trail
We hiked to Mills Lake in January with deep winter conditions requiring the crampons Chris got us for Christmas—without them, the ice near the lake would’ve been a real problem. The hike is just as good in summer, if winter hiking isn’t your thing. You’ll love the clear water and summer views encompassing Longs Peak.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 5.4 miles (9 km)
- Elevation Gain: 836 feet (255 m)
- Best Time to Visit: May to October (Winter if you want to try out new crampons!)
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation + Bear Lake Road*
19. Mitchell Lake Trail
Hiking to Mitchell Lake in July offers abundant wildflowers and possibly a moose sighting. The trailhead is located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and you will need a timed-entry reservation.
This is NOT one of the easy hikes in Colorado as you scramble over rocks, ford streams, and walk tentatively across snow pack hoping you don’t sink to your knees. Mitchell Lake will be your first destination, but if you look ahead on your map and see that the trail leads to Blue Lake and then Little Blue Lake, you might just keep going.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Distance: 6.6 miles (11 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1,443 feet (440 m)
- Best Time to Visit: June to October (there will still be some snow)
- Permit: Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Check for seasonal reservation requirements.
20. Mount Margaret Trail
This one sits about 45 minutes past Fort Collins toward the Wyoming border, further out than most of this list, so plan for a longer drive. What you get in return is an easy, mellow walk through meadows and old logging roads, well-loved for wildlife spotting and as a first backpacking trip for beginners. Don’t expect a dramatic summit view, though—we found the payoff modest, and that tracks with what other hikers report too. Worth it if you’re already in the area or want a low-key day; not a destination hike on its own.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 7.3 miles (12 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 564 feet (172 m)
- Best Time to Visit: April to November (but January works too).
- Permit: None, open year-round.
21. Ouzel Lake Trail
To reach Ouzel Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, you will pass by Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls—fairly easy hikes on their own. Because this is one of the hiking trails with waterfalls, the trail is often busy.
This is one of the incredible hikes in Colorado near Denver that is pretty popular in the summer months. Parking will be crazy too. And yes, you will need a timed-entry reservation as it is in Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Allenspark.
After moving past Ouzel Falls, the trail opens up and you will encounter fewer and fewer hikers. The hike to Ouzel Lake takes a couple of hours if you are moving at a moderate speed.
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Distance: 10.2 miles (16 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,695 feet (517 m)
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation*
22. Perimeter Trail in Ouray
f you plan to hike the Perimeter Trail in Ouray, Colorado and want to join the trail close to the Visitors Center in Ouray, you should know that it is pretty much a steep ascent up the side of the mountain just to get to the trail. Except for this steep ascent on this part of the trail, most of the trail can be classified as one of the easy hikes in Colorado.
One feature of the trail is that you can join or leave the trail at many different points around the perimeter and simply walk back into the main area of town. Along the way you’ll also get views across the river of the Ouray Via Ferrata—not part of this hike, but worth knowing about if you’re interested in technical climbing routes on a future trip.
As one of the hiking trails with waterfalls—Cascade Falls—it may be fairly busy with all ages and skill levels of hikers.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 5.6 mile (9 km) loop
- Elevation Gain: 1,489 feet (454 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall; can ice over in winter.
- Permit: None, open year-round.
23. Sand Dunes National Park: High Dune Loop
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve belongs on your Colorado hiking bucket list—there’s nowhere else in the state where you hike a mountain of sand instead of rock. Be prepared for the calf burn as you hike the dunes.
We watched plenty of sledders wax their boards for another run, a reminder that sledding down means hiking back up every time. There’s no marked trail to the summit either—just pick your line along the ridges and keep climbing.
Note * The sand can be as hot as 150° in the summertime. Chris wore only water shoes for this hike and regretted that decision the whole time. He had hot sand in his shoes nonstop.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 643 feet
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Permit: America the Beautiful Pass accepted, or standard entrance fee ($25/vehicle, $15/person); no timed-entry reservation.
24. Ypsilon Lake
To hike to Ypsilon Lake enter Rocky Mountain National Park through the Fall River Entrance Station on Highway 34. Turn right at the sign for “Old Fall River Road”.
The Ypsilon Lake trail begins at the Lawn Lake Trailhead. The switchback trail skirts up the side of the mountain behind the Alluvial Fan and follows Roaring River for approximately 1.4 miles until you reach the junction for Ypsilon Lake and Lawn Lake. The Ypsilon Lake Trail heads off to the left.
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Distance: 9 miles (14 km)
- Elevation Gain: 2,424 feet (739 m)
- Best Time to Visit: Summer through early fall; snow can linger into July at this elevation.
- Permit: RMNP timed entry reservation*
25. Zapata Falls
Fair warning: the road to the parking lot is rough. We drove our Honda Pilot and still bounced through ruts and potholes the whole way up—if you’re in a small sedan, proceed at your own risk.
The hike itself is short, but you’ll wade upstream through the creek to actually reach the falls—water shoes are non-negotiable, and we watched plenty of people regret showing up in flip-flops or bare feet. I thought I’d seen the whole falls, until the crowd cleared and we could move further upstream and look up.
The cold-water plunge is totally worth the effort. And I am not a get your feet wet in freezing cold water kind of girl. Our water shoes were great for the rocks in the river.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 193 feet (59 m)
- Best Time to Visit: April to October
- Permit: None; free trail on BLM/national forest land
Colorado Hiking Gear List
Amazon makes it easy to buy your hiking gear online. Check out my Amazon Storefront for my recommended hiking equipment.
Day Hiking Gear
- Plenty of extra water and a Camelbak hydropack or hiking backpack with hydration pack. Zipfizz is great to add to your water bottle for a little extra oomph.
- Snacks.
- Bug spray.
- Extra sun protection: sunscreen, a hat/visor, and sunglasses.
- Packable rain jacket.
- Hiking or trekking poles.
- A bag to pack out all of your trash: fruit peels/cores, snack bags, toilet paper, and other waste.
- I just bring my smartphone when hiking.
- The North Face Recon backpack for Chris and The North Face Surge Luxe for me.
- Hiking boots are essential for all hikes—sturdy, comfortable footwear. Chris loves his Merrells. I am breaking in a new pair of Vasque Hiking Boots.
- Fleece layer or puffy jacket (depending on the time of year) — If you are planning a day hike in the winter months, you really need winter hiking equipment. There is a Hiking & Cold Weather Gear section on my Amazon Storefront.
- Winter day hikes means you also get to be in the cool kids crampons club (they are so helpful)! These are the best microspikes for your winter hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some tips for hikes in Colorado?
1. Start early in the day so you deal with fewer hikers on the trails and avoid the afternoon storms that can roll in quickly.
2. Check the weather before you leave for your hikes.
3. Acclimatize to the Colorado altitude.
Where are the best hikes in Colorado near Denver?
Everywhere! But if you want to pick one location, Rocky Mountain National Park has dozens of hikes—easy hikes to moderate to challenging.
What is the best time of year for hikes in Colorado?
While you can hike all year long in Colorado with the right preparation, hiking between June and September when trails tend to be snow-free is optimal.
What is the most scenic route in Colorado?
There are so many options, but if you have to pick two, I would suggest Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
What are some things you should NOT do while hiking?
1. Don’t be a loud and obnoxious hiker.
2. Don’t litter.
3. Don’t drink alcohol.
4. Don’t ignore medical conditions as you hike.
5. Don’t pee in streams!
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Lace Up & Hit the Trail
Colorado hikes have a double meaning when it comes to “breathtaking”—the scenery will leave you speechless and the elevation will remind you that you’re not at sea level anymore. Whether you’re a casual Sunday hiker or someone who considers a 10-mile day a warm-up, this list has something worth adding to your Colorado hiking bucket list. Before you head out, grab my free Day Hike Packing List so you show up prepared for whatever the trail throws at you.
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These hikes look incredible! The Colorado landscapes look amazing! I’d love to hike to see Sprouting Rock Falls, it looks like such a magical waterfall! Thanks for the wonderful guide, I ope I’m able to visit Colorado some time to tick a few off my bucket list!
We have loved hiking in Colorado. Twenty years and we still haven’t run out of new hikes.
I’ve always wanted to spend at least a month or even more in Colorado and do as many hikes as possible. This is a fantastic list of hikes, the views are amazing and the waterfall ones as just stunning. I really hope I can do a few of them in the future, so thank you for sharing this list!
I’m sure you can find hikes that you will love here. Rest up those feet!
I hope to make it back to CO one day! Pinned for when I do 🙂
Oh, I hope you do. There are so many amazing things to see and do.
Oh this is my sign to take a trip to Colorado. I have only been to Denver, but would love to explore more. Such a great list of hikes! Pinning so I have this guide when I visit again!
Thanks for pinning. I am sure you would love trying out some of these hikes.
These hikes look amazing. I want to go so bad! I love Colorado. Haven’t been there in about 10 years. I think it’s time to take a trip…
Yep, it is time to come back to Colorado.
Beautiful trails and hikes in Colorado! We have done Hanging Lake but that is it on this epic list. Thanks for sharing.
That is an awesome hike for sure. We happened to hike it last month before all of the mud slides have caused damage. Here’s hoping it will recover quickly.
I hope that the world begins to open back up to travel so you can come visit Colorado.
Wish I had had this list for our last Colorado road trip! We didn’t get to do half of these and I would’ve loved to! Ouzel Lake looks absolutely stunning! Can’t wait to hike there again.
Hope you can make it back soon!
We are doing a road trip to the west coast in the fall and hope to stop in Colorado. I am saving this post for potential hikes in Colorado along the way. I love the variety and amazing scenery to be found.
You won’t be disappointed.
This is such a helpful guide. I love the way you’ve set out the difficulty and best time for each hike, makes planning so much easier.
Well, some people might find the hikes easier or more difficult, but hopefully it is a general guide.
Such great hikes. Would love to do one of the hikes in winter. I love walking on a frozen lake (or river) although I hope I don’t get wet feet.
These hikes look awesome! I’ve maybe only done half of these. RMNP really has some gorgeous trails, and I especially love ones with waterfalls, so I’ll have to add Alberta to my list next time we go!
I’ll be hiking up past Alberta Falls this weekend. Check my Instagram feed for an updated photo or two.
Lone Pine Lake in the snow is now on my bucket list! Thank you for the inspiration. I just can’t wait to get back to Colorado!
At least the meadow in the snow is awesome. The 11-mile hike to the lake would be a challenge for me.
this looks so awesome, i could definitely use some of this colarado air!
Well, it is filled with California smoke right now. Fingers crossed it blows out of here soon.
I have never been to Colorado, but it seems amazing! I would love to see all those waterfalls and lakes.
I hope you can come and see for yourself! Colorado is pretty amazing.
I love Colorado! I got to go there 2 years ago and would love to go back to visit someday! Out of your list, I’ve only done the Lily Lake Loop + Zapata Falls so far, but definitely hoping that’ll change soon!
I would love to visit Colorado one day! I am saving your post for the future.
So very beautiful! I’d love to visit Colorado! Congrats on hitting your hike goal! 22 hikes since January is impressive!! Great guide!
Thanks! We are planning for hike #26 tomorrow!
That’s exciting you get to plan a trip back and cool that you plan travel so far in advance!
Wow, 21 hikes in a year? Honestly, I’m impressed! And most of these places look stunning, so I can understand why would you like to do more of it. Well done!
This is such a great post! I love that hiking goal you set too, how fun! My husband works out of Colorado, so I’ll keep these hikes on my radar for the next time I tag along on one of his work trips. Thanks for sharing!
Those hikes look stunning, and with your detailed guide with information like difficulty and time to visit! This guide got everything I’d need to plan for the trip, will definitely save this for future when I’m planning my trip to Colorado!
Colorado has so many hikes. I could do a number of posts on all of the amazing hikes here.
This is a great list of amazing Colorado hikes, and I love all the details you’ve included – had to laugh at the Zapata falls tip about wearing a sports bra, LOL! We have a hike near us like that, too.
I love your curated list of the 15 most breathtaking (literally and figuratively) hikes in Colorado! Gorgeous photos and appreciate your insider’s tips and recommendations.
These photos are unbelievable! Great summary of different places to visit.
Thanks. The pandemic gave us a great opportunity to explore Colorado more.
We’ve hiked many of these and loved them! So many amazing trails in CO!
Such an inspirational post. I hope to make it to Colorado very soon.
Wow there are so many awesome hikes to choose from here! We visited Glenwood Springs years ago and found it to be an incredible place. I wished that I had known about the hike there? Thank you for a great read, will have to get back out there someday soon!
I always love going on a hike and these recommendations look just perfect! Will definitely save this for the moment I visit Denver 🙂
This is a great list! I have actually been to Colorado many times but haven’t spent much time hiking. I’ll have to save this list for my next trip!
If I can get to Denver this year for a business trip, I want to hike Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Great post!
Colorado is so picturesque and has so many great hikes! I haven’t made it to Colorado yet but Estes Park always calls to me!
Oh my goodness they are all so beautiful. It’s hard to decide which ones to pick. The East Inlet Trailhead to Lone Pine Lake looks incredible. Thank you so much for sharing. This really makes me want to visit Colorado to go hiking!
Wow! Lake Haiyaha is stunning!! I need to visit!
These hikes look amazing – which one to choose first?
Colorado is my absolute favourite state, and would love to be able to live there. This is probably one of the most beautiful in the USA.
If I ever visit Colorado, I will make sure to go to Alberta Falls.
When in the fall do you have to start being worried about snow in the national parks?
It varies. You could get snow as early as September or later in October.
We definitely would want to head out for some hikes when we finally make it to Denver. I love the variety in sights on the hikes you found. And great to know there are some for all skill levels!
You always have the best hiking guides, and this one did not disappoint. There are so many great options for hikes near Denver. Lake Haiyaha would be my first stop. It looks so beautiful.
Great list! We’ve never tried Zapata Falls, so adding this one to our list. One of our other favorites near Denver is Herman Gulch, especially when the wildflowers are in bloom.
These hikes look amazing. I like the detail you provide on each, especially the difficulty level. izzy
So many incredible hikes. I love detailed information which makes it easier to plan your itinerary. Thanks for sharing!
So many great hikes! I would enjoy doing some of the easier ones. The scenery along these hikes is stunning, especially Hanging Lake.
So many beautiful places to hike in Colorado! Such a gorgeous state 🙂
Fantastic content!