Colorado Trails

Tackle the iron-stained slopes of two secluded summits to photograph pristine views of the rugged San Juan Mountains.

A stout 3,382-foot climb up scree-filled gullies ends with rewarding sights on this solitary Sangre de Cristo summit.

Bag a rugged fourteener on this 20.8-mile lasso loop linking shady evergreens and long sunny scrambles to a beautiful peak high above the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

Drawn-out switchbacks lead past jumbled boulder gardens and old mining ruins to a sweeping finale above the high tundra. Post-trip bonus: Soak in the steamy baths at Princeton Hot Springs.

Traverse slippery shale and narrow sandstone ledges up this exposed pinnacle. Helmets recommended and a stomach for gut-clenching scrambles is mandatory.

The perfect prelude to the rest of Colorado's 14ers is this gentle 8.4-mile climb up talus slopes, past old mines to a broad summit in the Mosquito Range.

Link the bare summits of the Sawatch Range's southernmost 14ers for far-reaching views over the San Isabel National Forest.

Scale three lofty summits on this route in the sheer contours of the Sangre de Cristo Range, including the signature, knobby face of Crestone Peak.

This backcountry trek to two classic San Juan summits, serves up vertical scrambles, formidable ridges, not to mention miles of stunning scenery.

Earmark 3-5 days for this backcountry trek to a campsite in Chicago Basin, where you’ll have a chance to climb a cluster of three 14ers in the San Juan Mountains.

Lasso two 14ers in 3 hours during the most moderate (and popular) 5-mile ascent you'll find in Colorado's Front Range.

A leg-busting 8.4-mile round trip up Yale’s relentless southwest slopes culminates with soaring views over the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and Arkansas River Valley.

Follow this popular route up a long, gentle ridge to gain intimate views of the Tenmile Range and the Continental Divide.

Two different routes climb to the summit of this craggy San Juan peak.

This 11.2-mile hike strings together the five summits of Colorado's second-highest peak where supreme vistas open over a landscape of glacial till and alpine lakes.

Quiet meadows, lonesome tundra slopes, and elk highlight this crowd-free summit tucked in La Garita Wilderness.

See for yourself why early explorers and painters adored these beautiful peaks. This trip highlights two classic routes to the double crowns of the Front Range.

The payoffs at the top are huge, but tricky, technical scrambles and advanced route finding make these photogenic peaks in the Elk Range anything but easy.

These challenging routes run through a land of rugged spires, swift streams, snowy gullies, and golden aspen stands. Experts: Connect the knife-edged ridge between Mount Wilson and El Diente.

This challenging hike ascends steep gullies and traverses serrated ridges for a chance at three peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Range.

It's a scholarly debate on which summit--Mount Columbia or Mount Harvard--is the best. So reserve a long weekend to climb both in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and decide for yourself.

This interactive map highlights each of the 54 highest peaks in Colorado with links to more detailed routes, maps, and photos. Bonus: Fly over these monster peaks in 3-D with Google Earth.

No ropes required, but a camera is recommended, on this shady and scenic 5.6-mile out-and-back stroll into the heart of Eldorado Canyon climbing country.

This 17.2-mile hike strings together two monster canyons with a hardy bushwhack across red-rock backcountry.

Wind across vibrant landscapes cut dramatically by sheer-walled canyons and rising plateaus to a sandstone monolith in Colorado National Monument.

Don't forget the camera: This scenic 7.1-mile loop in Pike National Forest serves up short climbs, fast descents, and fine views of Pikes Peak.

This 4.6-mile out-and-back twists through a red rock canyon ending at a towering rock monolith in Colorado National Monument.

Trek across vibrant wildflower meadows to two alpine lakes tucked into a rocky chasm below Mt. Massive on this 5.8 miler outside Leadville.

Just a short bus ride from downtown, this 5.1-mile dayhike climbs loops around the panoramic ridgelines of Indian Mountain.

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

The views on this 5.9-miler are so grand that this parkland was once proposed as the summer grounds for a second presidential White House.

Try a stunning new hike in the Colorado Rockies' top spot for big backpacking adventures.

This 5.7-mile loop features golden hills rimmed by crimson mesas, abundant rock formations, and revealing views into Colorado National Monument.

Tour a rock garden of giant proportions on this 4.8-mile loop, passing towering redrock monoliths, golden hillsides, and views of Pikes Peak.

Put your quads and endurance to the test on this 6.6-mile hike that features steep scrambles, boulder-strewn canyons, and dramatic views from Bear Peak.

Scramble up a forgotten peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness.

This 3-day trek follows a choice route through Colorado's high and wild Collegiate Peaks.

Travel across lush forest, grassy meadows, and exposed alpine slopes to the rocky crown of Grays Peak on this 67-mile section of the Continental Divide Trail.

Explore remote Rockies scenery and WWII history on this 22-mile hike in the Roosevelt National Forest.

Check off seven kinds of forest ecosystems on this 7.6-mile shuttle hike in Grand Mesa National Forest.

Pine-dotted canyons, a gurgling creek, and summit views of Rocky Mountain National Park highlight this 5.4-mile dayhike near Boulder.

This 11.8-mile dayhike links quiet forests and wildflower-filled meadows to a broad mountaintop overlooking Lake Dillon.

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.

Take in far-reaching vistas of high peaks and russet canyons on this 5.4-mile shuttle hike in Colorado National Monument.

Explore a Durango secret: This network of trails in San Juan National Forest is just minutes from town.

This 3.4-mile loop, featuring countless log steps and narrow rock passages, travels up and over one of Boulder's challenging summits.

Navigate an obstacle course of countless log steps, steep rock slabs, and giant boulders on this 2.8-mile hike to a small summit overlooking Boulder.

This 4-miler starts with a gentle climb along rolling ridgeline, then cranks it up a notch with an obstacle course of steep rock steps and tightly-spaced boulders.

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.

The climb on this 7.6-mile loop to Bear Peak is, well, a bear, gaining 2,800 stair-studded feet. The payoff: Long views into Boulder, Denver, and the Indian Peaks.

In the shadow of Caribou Peak and Bald Mountain, this easy 1.6-mile out-and-back leads to a pot of gold—a cluster of Rainbow Lakes.

Catch views of the Continental Divide (and mule deer, elk, and black bear) on this 12.3-mile loop in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Test your endurance on this 5.6-mile loop that powers up Animas City Mountain to a remote mountain viewpoint and stellar mesa-edge views of downtown Durango.

There is fierce competition for the finest scenery on this challenging trek to Snowmass Lake: alpine lakes, rocky chasms, and 14,000-foot peaks.

This moderate 12.7-mile out-and-back climbs a glacial valley under America's most photographed peaks, where sweeping views from 12,480-foot West Maroon Pass are more than picturesque.

Four 12,000-foot passes, classic alpine views and a rugged loop around Colorado's most-photographed peaks make this 26.5-mile backpack a Rocky Mountain epic.

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

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

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

Sweeping views and a memorable elk-spotting traverse at 11,000 feet await on this 22.3-mile multi-day loop in the Rio Grande National Forest.

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.

This popular loop through Boulder's Chautauqua Park tops out at a stunning rock arch framing views of Front Range foothills and the plains.

Sample suburban recreational trails on this easy 3.8-mile Niwot route that showcases views of the Front Range along it's eastern fringe.

Perfect for an after-work trail run or leisurely stroll, this 2.7-mile lollipop loop explores wide-open meadows in the shadow of Boulder's iconic Flatirons.

Climb past ponderosa stands, golden meadows, and Boulder's iconic Flatirons to a hidden cave in Chautauqua Park on this 6.8-mile out-and-back.

Trek past cloud-scraping peaks and shimmering lakes en route on this 8.1-miler in the untamed Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Enjoy the views and high elevation while looping around Long Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Get up-close and personal with Boulder's signature Flatirons on this popular 2.9-mile loop that leads to a rocky perch high above Chautauqua Park.

Nestled between Nederland and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area, this 4.3-mile lollipop trail reveals mountain vistas en route to a 19th-century homestead.

An invigorating climb at the base of Lookout Mountain, this 5.4-mile lollipop loop follows a bustling creek into a forest thick with trees and elk.

Grab your skis or snowshoes to experience this wintry route that climbs past snowy landscapes to Montgomery Pass, a ridge-top lookout in Colorado's Medicine Bow Mountains.

One of the Front Range's best hikes, this 10.1-mile point-to-point offers solitude, mountain views, and a couple of thigh-burning climbs.

Gaining 2,300 feet in just 2.6-miles, this out-and-back climbs the slopes of Engineer Mountain and rewards with high-altitude wildflowers and views of a rare rock glacier.

This popular, and moderately challenging hike climbs through mixed forest and over talus fields to lofty views of Colorado Springs, the eastern plains, and Pikes Peak.

Hit the Enchanted Mesa en route to this little-visited destination--stone recliners overlooking the city of Boulder--on this 2.9-mile loop in Chautauqua Park.

The rocky recess of Fourmile Canyon offers up one of Boulder's less-traveled foothill trails. Canyon shade and a crisscrossing creek keep this 3.1-miler perfect for a summer afternoon.

This 3.5-mile out-and-back climbs into Shadow Canyon, passing an old homestead and striking views of Boulder's Flatirons.

Just a 30-minute trek from downtown, this short-and-steep trail lands at the base of Cornet Falls, an 80-footer that is one of Telluride's most accessible cascades.

Warm up to Telluride's steep ascents with this mellow 4.5-miler that climbs steadily along Bear Creek to a 100-foot falls in the Uncompahgre National Forest.

Cruise the high-mountain desert to a pinnacle overlook in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. This 3.8-miler offers an up-close look at the volcanic activity that shaped the natural wonders nearby.