Colorado Trails

Set aside a couple of hours for this 3.3-mile loop on the north end of Telluride that climbs 1,200 feet to breathtaking views of this small mountain town.

Rounded granite knobs and sweeping valleys in the Lost Creek Wilderness set the stage for this spectacular 27.6-mile loop that rewards with rugged panoramas and killer riverside campsites.

This Front Range dayhike is short on mileage and big on payoffs. In less than a mile, you'll skirt a mountain lake and climb the snowy slopes of a Rocky Mountain glacier.

Bring your binoculars and circle Barr Lake on this easy 9.3-mile loop in prime birding territory. You may spot one of the Front Range's only pair of nesting bald eagles.

Not ready to tackle a 14er (yet)? Try this 2.5-mile gem in Golden Gate State Park.

Five-star mountain views, two alpine lakes, and gold mine relics highlight this 4.5-mile out-and-back near Breckenridge, Colorado.

Explore tiny lakeshore beaches (and don’t forget your fishing pole) on this 3-mile trek that heads cross-country on the southeast corner of Gross Reservoir.

Stretch your legs on all--or just part--of this 3.6-mile trail that climbs steadily alongsideGlenwood Canyon's Grizzly Creek. The only bear here is the 1,800 foot gain in elevation.

Follow alpine streams through verdant valleys on this overnight trek from Crested Butte to the base of West Maroon Pass and Hasley Basin in Colorado's fourth largest wilderness area.

Red Rocks isn't just a great place for a concert, this 4.5-mile out-and-back starts among red-tinted outcroppings and heads north to Mathews/Winters Park for a fun and easy-access day hike.

A picture-perfect pond at the end of this mellow 0.8-miler makes this Roosevelt National Forest hike an easy overnight option for families—and the faint-of-heart.

A picture-perfect pond at the end of this mellow 0.8-mile hike makes this trip in the Roosevelt National Forest an easy overnight option for families.

Climb through pungent ponderosa to the summit of Arthur's Rock for views of Ft. Collins and the Colorado plains. It's a far-away feeling, but close-to-town 4.4-mile dayhike loop through Lory State Park.

The Eagles Nest Wilderness doesn’t attract regular Colorado crowds—unless you count the mountain goats. Explore rugged peaks, and pristine alpine lakes on this 13.3-mile route in an under-appreciated Rocky Mountain getaway.

Begin exploring the South Platte River's Greenway Trail on this 7-mile out and back intro to the paved, 30-mile-plus vein through the heart of the Mile High City.

This easy, 4.4-mile loop outside Boulder links Big Bluestem Trail to South Boulder Creek Trail and features vibrant wildflowers and 5-star views of the Flatirons.

Tag two neighboring summits that overlook Boulder (and climb nearly 3,000 feet in the process) on this 8.3-mile lasso loop to Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak.

Catch breathtaking views of Summit County and the Tenmile Range on this 6.9-mile out-and-back that climbs to the 12,805-foot summit of Peak 1.

Just two hours from Denver, this 7.4-mile out-and-back passes several waterfalls en route to a magnificent lake basin that provides off-trail access to Pacific Tarn, the highest officially named lake in the United States.

This 7.6-mile hike in the San Juan Mountains travels past golden meadows and three waterfalls en route to a stunning tarn in Ice Lake Basin.

Explore Colorado's Gore Range on this 12.4-mile shuttle hike that begins in Vail, crosses Red Buffalo Pass, and drops into Silverthorne.

Power up more than 2,600 feet of rugged, backcountry trails on this 12.4-mile out-and back that climbs from Vail to a pristine lakeshore in the heart of the Gore Range.

Climb to a scenic viewpoint overlooking Boulder and the Flatirons on this moderate, 3.1-mile out-and-back in Chautauqua Park.

Climb more than 2,000 feet from aspen groves near Woods Lake to the dramatic Navajo Lake basin. This 10.2-mile out-and-back is a San Juan classic that spends a dramatic mile above treeline.

Traverse a red-rock hillside on this easy 1-mile out-and-back that lands atop a cluster of sandstone pinnacles in the Colorado National Monument’s grandest canyon.

"Camp" in style on this out-and-back to a 10th Mountain Division hut just north of Leadville, CO. A full kitchen, wood-stove heat, and sprawling views of 14,421-foot Mt. Massive are just a few of the amenities.

Impressive mountain views and thick aspen stands await backpackers on this 30-mile section of the Colorado Trail perfect for a two or three day trip.

The very best section of the 483-mile Colorado Trail lies along this 40-mile San Juans stunner. Start at 12,500 feet and drop past hidden waterfalls into the Animas River Valley, where the Grenadier Peaks tower overhead.

Thru-hike America's highest trail.

Like peaks, lakes, and wildflowers? You’ll love this Rockies classic.

Hike high on this above-treeline route through the Weminuche Wilderness.

Scramble to a remote refuge on this peak's secret side.

Hoof it to the top of Golden’s South Table Mountain on this 1.5-mile out-and-back for close-up views of Colorado Landmarks—Golden, the Front Range, the Denver skyline, and even the Coors Brewery.

A dark, cozy cabin overlooking the Holy Cross Wilderness is your reward for this winter 2.75-mile trek. Ski- or snowshoe-appropriate grades and easy access from Tennessee Pass make this a great novice 10th Mountain Division hut trip.

Stretch your legs on this easy out-and-back off the Colorado National Monument's Rim Rock Road. The A gently sloping 0.4-mile downhill ends at an overlook of Monument Canyon's best.

Warm up with a huff-and-puff climb to Montgomery Flats and wind through a forested ridgeline. This 13.5-mile out-and-back ends at the 10th Mountain Division's Harry Gates Hut, a cozy destination that's worth the trek.

Climb 600 feet above Golden to one of its guardian mesa-tops. Big views of the Denver skyline and the continental divide reward the 0.9-mile one-way climb.

Stand atop 11,237-foot Grand Mesa, the world’s highest mesa.

Visit a dreamy, emerald-green lake just below the Continental Divide after climbing 2,099-feet in 4.2 miles. Icing: sweet alpine views and abundant trout along shore.

Stay above treeline and cross a 12,796-foot pass on the 8.8-mile Lost Man Loop through the jagged Elk and Sawatch Ranges.

Discover a wonderland of sparkling lakes, rolling meadows and spiny ridges on this 9.5-mile loop through Colorado’s magnificent Grand Mesa.

An out and back along the Piedra River, through the scenic San Juan National Forest.

Beautiful hike up through aspen groves and across meadows to Opal Lake.

A scenic trail through aspen and spruce-fir following Fourmile Creek to a 300-foot waterfall.

Trace a granite-toothed section of the Continental Divide to the rugged Mount Neva on this 9.4-miler through Indian Peaks Wilderness.

This easy mile and a quarter loop gets high enough to get a nice view of Boulder, and lots of linking trail options easily lengthen the hike.

A gentle 7.5-mile hike with moderate uphill through the canyon.

One of the best and most accessible backcountry ski day trips.

A gentle 1.8 mile climb to an intimate view of the popular Maroon Bells from the lapping shores of Crater Lake.

Visit the highest lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on this 6.9-mile out-and-back through steep alpine terrain.

For pure Rocky Mountain highs, these five select hikes payoff with plenty of grandeur and park highlights--alpine lakes, granite peaks, and rushing waterfalls galore.

Get in-depth beta for a complete Rocky Mountain weekend with this PRO bundle, and find your way to pure solitude and backcountry bliss.

Descend from a cliff-rimmed mesa to a trout-filled lake on this 22-mile, two-night loop

An 8.1 mile out and back that offers hikers sweeping views of Indian Peaks Wilderness, a waterfall and an alpine lake to cool off in before heading back down.

Join Backpacker magazine photo editor, Genny Fullerton, and Backpacker contributing photographer, Steve Howe, on a four-day, three-night backpacking photo safari where you'll learn what it takes to shoot images worthy of publication.

A team of BACKPACKER and CLIMBING staffers head to the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado June 6-9, 2013.

Join editor-in-chief Dennis Lewon for a hike--and cancer-fighting concert--in the Rockies.

Our second-annual Adventures Denver is a family friendly day of fun in the outdoors trying out new gear and activities...for free!

Descend from a cliff-rimmed mesa to a trout-filled lake.

Hike to life-list hot spots without waiting in life-list lines. These under-the-radar trails deliver everything but the crowds.

Scramble on red rock, camp at alpine lakes, cross a high pass, explore a trailless moonscape, and bushwhack to a peak.

Feel like you've notched a first ascent.

Like peaks, lakes, and wildflowers? You'll love this Rockies classic in White River National Forest.

A wrecked alpine village from Colorado's mining history awaits you at the end of this dayhike.

Photos by Mike J. Donley

Get national park scenery without the crowds on an alpine overnight with lakeside camping.

Discover the best hike in every state, as voted by BACKPACKER readers. Plus: your essential gear, most desirable tentmate, worst-ever adventure movie, and our picks for the best reader-submitted photos.

In Colorado, wilderness hut managers recruit hikers to track an elusive wildcat.

A hair-raising hike

The system was rigged, says a former ranger. Here's how to beat it.

Trees, trees are everywhere, but sometimes there isn't a dry twig in sight.

Graze blueberry patches, explore swimming holes, and tag the South's high points on this sultry hike.

Send him out on a work trip. Let wilderness do the rest.

Climb classic Sierra passes, ogle granite monoliths, and camp above treeline in John Muir's second home.

Scramble up class III peaks and cross late summer snowfields on this strenuous but straightforward trip through Montana's big-mountain country.

Check out Marc Peruzzi's author page.

The ultimate vacation in one of America's iconic parks requires the ultimate hiking plan: classic scenery, no crowds, and secret campsites. Here's how to spend a perfect week in Glacier, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Denali, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Meet Michael Rash, sanitation king of the backcountry. Be glad he uses Purell.

We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest, long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. Here, read the Backpacker Blog on the project, and vi

From Florida to Wyoming, track wild horses for four hours or 10 days.