all hikes

Boulder, CO: Arapaho Pass

Hike this gentle, 6.1-mile out-and-back in midsummer when an explosion of wildflowers dominates the climb to this grassy pass in the Indian Peaks.

Boulder, CO: Arapahoe Glacier Trail

From coniferous forests to intimate alpine lakes to views of the Continental Divide, this 12-miler offers classic Rocky Mountain scenery.

Boulder, CO: Blue Lake

Sampling the best of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, this 5-milers traverses alpine meadows up to a sparkling lake perched below the Continental Divide.

Boulder, CO: Isabelle Glacier

Trek past cloud-scraping peaks and shimmering lakes en route to breathtaking views of the Isabelle Glacier on this 8.1-miler in the untamed Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Boulder, CO: Lost Lake (Winter Route)

Snowshoe into a small mountain lake on this gentle, 5-mile out-and-back in Indian Peaks Wilderness--a perfect winter getaway from the city.

Boulder, CO: Mount Audubon

Compared to its jagged neighbors, this 13,000-foot summit is one of the easier peaks (no technical scrambling required) to tick off in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Boulder, CO: Rainbow Lakes to Arapahoe Glacier

Tour Rainbow Lakes' subalpine waters before climbing through pine forests, past hidden lakes, and over 13ers en route to the Continental Divide.

Denver, CO: Devils Thumb Lake

Leave your car at home: To explore Continental Divide country, you only need a bus ticket and your bike.

Denver: Caribou Lake

Discover the blue pearls of famed Indian Peaks Wilderness on this moderate 8.4-mile high alpine hike.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.

Secret Hikes: Appalachian Trail

The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine.

Secret Hikes: Glacier National Park

Score wildlife sightings daily, choice views hourly--and at least one juicy burger--on this weeklong circuit.

Secret Hikes: Grand Canyon National Park

Surprise: This park's busy corridor trails offer a fast track to a private slice of heaven.

Secret Hikes: Grand Teton National Park

Rise above the crowds and earn solo views of elk, wildflowers, and summit sunsets.

International Travel

From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.

Navigation Center

Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.

BACKPACKER's Free Smartphone GPS App

Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.

Green Guide

A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.

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