The best hikes in Colorado
By the Bundu team · Last updated
Short answer: The best hikes in Colorado include Sky Pond and Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells near Aspen, Hanging Lake (permit required) and Mount Bierstadt, an easy 14er. Near the cities, try Mount Sanitas in Boulder and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, both dog-friendly.
Colorado has alpine lakes, 14,000-foot peaks and some of the best mountain biking in the country, much of it within a couple of hours of Denver. Bundu lists 10 trails in Colorado; see them all on the Colorado trails page.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Emerald Lake
The easiest great hike in the park: past Nymph and Dream lakes to Emerald Lake under Hallett Peak. Go early; the Bear Lake trailhead fills fast.
Sky Pond
Past Alberta Falls and The Loch, then a scramble up beside Timberline Falls to a lake under jagged spires. One of the best day hikes in Colorado.
The park has used timed-entry reservations from late spring to autumn, with a separate permit for the Bear Lake Road corridor. Dogs are not allowed on its trails.
Near Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs
- Mount Sanitas (Boulder): a short, steep loop with views over the city. Dog-friendly.
- Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs): free, easy paths through red-rock fins. Dog-friendly.
- Manitou Incline (Manitou Springs): an old railway bed climbing about 2,000 feet in under a mile. A free reservation is required.
- Mount Bierstadt (Georgetown): one of the easiest 14ers, a good first fourteener. Dogs allowed.
The mountains
- Maroon Bells Scenic Trail (Aspen): the most photographed peaks in Colorado, reflected in Maroon Lake. Parking and the shuttle need a reservation in season.
- Hanging Lake (Glenwood Canyon): a steep climb to a turquoise lake. A permit is required, and dogs and swimming are not allowed.
Mountain biking
Ride the Monarch Crest Trail from Salida along the Continental Divide, or the flowy desert singletrack at the 18 Road Trails in Fruita. See our guide to the best mountain bike trails in the USA.
Tips for hiking in Colorado
- Afternoon storms: in summer, lightning builds over the peaks most afternoons. Be off summits and ridges by noon.
- Altitude: if you have come from sea level, spend a day or two acclimatising before a 14er, and drink lots of water.
- Reservations: Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, Hanging Lake and the Manitou Incline all need bookings. Check before you go.
- Snow: high trails can hold snow into July. Bring microspikes in early summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike in Colorado?
Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park is often called the best day hike in Colorado. Maroon Bells and Hanging Lake are the most photographed.
What is the easiest 14er in Colorado?
Mount Bierstadt, from Guanella Pass near Georgetown, is one of the easiest 14ers and a popular first fourteener. Quandary Peak and Mount Sherman are other easier options.
Do I need a reservation to hike in Colorado?
Some popular hikes need one: Rocky Mountain National Park has used timed entry in season, and Hanging Lake, Maroon Bells and the Manitou Incline require bookings.
Where can I hike with my dog in Colorado?
Mount Sanitas in Boulder, Garden of the Gods, Maroon Bells and Mount Bierstadt allow leashed dogs. Rocky Mountain National Park and Hanging Lake do not.
Which app shows hiking trails in Colorado?
The free Bundu app lists Colorado's best-known hikes and rides with difficulty, dog rules and directions, and records your hike with GPS. COTREX is the official Colorado trail map app.
Find your next trail with Bundu
- Hiking, running and MTB trails across South Africa and the US
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- Directions to the trailhead
- Record hikes, runs and rides with GPS
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