Top Hiking Trails in Colorado

Famous for its fresh mountain air, Colorado is a place to get high – in more ways than one. The mighty spine of the Rocky Mountains cuts through the west of the Centennial State, lifting the landscape into a rugged tumult of towering mountains, high desert mesa, and slot canyons.

Colorado boasts the country’s highest concentration of peaks above 14,000ft – more than 50 in total – but in the east, the landscape flattens into rolling grasslands which have their own special appeal. Whether you have your heart set on bagging a ‘fourteener’ or fancy a more gentle stroll in the wilds, there’s a trail in Colorado to suit every kind of hiker.

The state’s excellent trail system includes routes for all fitness levels, offering year-round access to impossibly beautiful landscapes and close encounters with some of the nation’s most iconic wildlife. With so many routes to choose from, identifying top Colorado hikes can be subjective. However, to get you started, here is a shortlist that showcases the state’s impressive variety of landscapes.

1. Longs Peak

Best Hard Hike

14.5 miles round trip, 10 to 15 hours, difficult
Driving time from Denver: 1¾ hours

Topping out at 14,259ft, Longs Peak towers over magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park, rising high above the Denver skyline. With soaring cliff faces, steep boulder fields, and an ultra-challenging final ascent, this hike is hugely popular – about 15,000 people attempt to summit it each year. However, don’t let that fool you: this is a serious hike, regardless of the approach.

Most hikers tackle the summit via the so-called Keyhole Route, which begins at the Longs Peak trailhead, nestled between Allenspark and Estes Park on State Highway 7. The initial 6 miles travel on a moderate trail leading to a broad boulder field at 12,760ft, where the trail steepens as you pick up the path of the Keyhole Route, marked with yellow-and-red bull’s-eyes painted on the rock.

Even seasoned hikers will be slowed by the thinning air and the route’s precarious ascent over rocky ledges resembling a narrow cliff-side stairway with no handrails. From there, hikers scramble up a steep final segment to reach the boulder-strewn summit. The view from the top – with snow-kissed granite stretching out to the curved horizon – is dizzyingly beautiful.

To avoid afternoon lightning storms, summiting before noon is crucial, so plan on an early morning start at around 4am. Alternatively, consider making a two-day summit bid by detouring south just above the tree line to camp at Chasm Lake, a high-alpine wonder nestled below the jagged rock face known as the Diamond, where climbers test their mettle.

2. Mayflower Gulch

Best Easy Hike

5.2 miles round trip, 2-3 hours, easy
Driving time from Denver: 1½ hours

Located in the White River National Forest near Frisco, the Mayflower Gulch trail takes hikers back in time. Gradually climbing to 12,018ft, this out-and-back trail traces an old mining road deep within the forest, following Mayflower Creek and snaking uphill past crumbling log cabins, rusty mining equipment, and an abandoned ore chute – the remnants of a failed gold mining town.

The trail ends in a scenic basin that bursts into a riot of wildflowers in summer and is perfect for snowshoeing in winter, boasting 180-degree views of the sawtooth peaks of Fletcher Mountain. Take the time to explore the ghost town ruins and consider extending the hike to nearby Gold Hill, a tundra ridge offering grand views of the basin below and the pocketed slopes above.

3. West Maroon Trail

Best Wildflowers Hike

10.2 miles one way, 6 to 8 hours, difficult
Driving time from Denver: 5 hours

A stunning carpet of summer wildflowers characterizes this dreamy hike between Crested Butte and Aspen, usually tackled during the summer months. Leaving Crested Butte, the opening few miles steadily climb through a valley rich with flowers, featuring 2,350ft of elevation gain. Look out for Colorado columbine, Indian paintbrush, lupine, larkspur, Parry’s primrose, and more while occasionally admiring the epic vistas of snowcapped peaks and lush forests.

The trail steepens near West Maroon Pass (12,480ft), becoming narrow and rocky as you approach Aspen. The final segment skirts past Crater Lake – dip your toes in its cool waters for a much-deserved rest stop – and climbs through an aspen forest, concluding at Maroon Lake. This is the most photographed lake in Colorado, thanks to the dramatic backdrop of the Maroon Bells peaks.

4. The Flatirons (First and Second Flatirons Trail)

Best Hike Near Denver

2.6 miles round trip, 2 hours, moderate
Driving time from Denver: 40 minutes

The towering slabs of angled rock known as the Flatirons emerge like the scales of a buried dragon to the south of laid-back Boulder. Several moderate yet rewarding trails around the Flatirons can be easily accessed from Boulder or Denver, located just 30 miles southeast.

The most accessible route offers immediate rewards. An out-and-back trail traverses varying landscapes – floral meadows, patches of forest, and a short talus slope – before climbing to a notch between First Flatiron and Second Flatiron, offering sweeping views over Boulder and the terracotta-roofed campus of the University of Colorado below.

Switchbacks lead to the trail’s end on the western side of the First Flatiron, where rocky shelves provide the perfect spot to pause for a breather, enjoy lunch, and relish sublime Rocky Mountain views. The trailhead starts at the Ranger Cottage in historic Chautauqua Park, accessible by public transport from Boulder.

5. Rattlesnake Arches Trail

Best Hike with an Unexpected View

6.2 miles round trip, 5 hours, moderate
Driving time from Denver: 4 hours

Located in the stunning high desert terrain of McKinnis Canyons National Conservation Area, Rattlesnake Arches Trail offers a landscape filled with sunset red canyons, sandstone pinnacles, and nearly three dozen natural arches – second only to Utah’s Arches National Park.

The trail begins on a sagebrush-covered mesa, bringing hikers close to eight of the largest arches, including Cedar Arch, which spans 76ft at its widest point. For adventurous hikers, scrambling through its 43ft-tall opening can cut mileage from the return hike. It’s essential to carry ample water and stay vigilant for wildlife such as mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and golden eagles along the way.

Moreover, while the midget faded rattler, the trail’s namesake, is venomous, it is rarely seen; it’s wise to make noise while hiking and exercise caution in the undergrowth. The access road to Rattlesnake Arches is rough, particularly the last 2 miles. Visitors with 4x4s or high-clearance vehicles can reach the main trailhead, while most will drive as far as possible and walk once the road becomes impassable.

6. Grays and Torrey’s

Most Accessible Fourteener Hike

8 miles, 6 hours, strenuous
Driving time from Denver: 1¼ hours

Ever wanted to bag a fourteener? How about two in one day? For incredible bragging rights, this heavily trafficked hike begins just an hour outside Denver, climbing up the 14,000ft peaks of Grays Peak and Torrey’s Peak in one long exertion from the trailhead at the end of Steven’s Gulch Road, near Idaho Springs. Beginning early in the morning is essential to return to your vehicle before afternoon thunderstorms develop.

The first part of the trail meanders through a high alpine valley adorned with stunning wildflowers in early summer. Soon, hikers will reach switchbacks and then it’s a fairly straightforward climb to the top of Grays Peak. After reaching the first summit, follow the trail as it descends into a gully, then climb straight up Torrey’s Peak for a second breathtaking view across the Front Range.

Tips for Hiking in Colorado

• Take time to acclimate to the altitude, especially if you’re coming from sea level – take things slowly for the first few days and pace your climbs.

• Stay hydrated! Carry plenty of water and water-purification equipment; dehydration can accelerate Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

• Keep your energy levels high – bring snacks packed with protein and carbs for the trails.

• Weather conditions can change rapidly year-round, so carry layers, rain gear, and a hat.

• Afternoon lightning above the timberline is a genuine hazard, particularly in summer. Start hikes early and aim to be off mountain peaks and high passes by early afternoon. Turn back if dark clouds appear; it could save your life.

• Don’t forget a trail map, compass, and flashlight for signaling (relying on cell phones is not advisable).

• Make noise on the trail to avoid unexpected encounters with moose, bears, cougars, and rattlesnakes.