Colorado
It's hard to beat what the Rockies have to offer. A plethora of world-class skiing in the winter, and all the hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and rafting you could hope for in the summer. Looking for a challenge?Maybe try your hand at one of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks (there's somewhere between 53 and 58, depending who you ask).
Top Spots in and near Colorado
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Fraser, Colorado
Summit Byers Peak
8.8 mi / 2774 ft gainThe drive to the start of the trail is okay, having a high clearance vehicle would make the drive easier, but is not necessary. Free parking is available along the side of the road.The trail starts on a closed service road at a gate and requires you to either hike or bike up the dirt road (2 mil...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Shanahan Ridge Trail
4.03.84 mi / 715 ft gainStarting on the edge of a neighborhood in South Boulder, this 3.8 mile loop begins its 869 foot elevation gain by meandering through a pine forest. You can 'choose your own adventure' by exploring the handful of trails that meet up with the Shanahan Ridge Trail, such as the South Mesa Trail, Shad...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Catch the Fall Colors on the West Side of Rocky Mountain NP
4.0A Fall adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park is among the most spectacular experiences Colorado has to offer. The change of the seasons offers an amazing change to the landscape that makes taking a bad picture darn near impossible. The light is perfect, the elk are in rut, and the mountains o...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Explore Hayes Creek Falls
3.50 miRight off of Highway 133 about 2 miles south of Redstone, lies a very easy-to-get-to Waterfall. Park your car off to the side of the highway, walk about 100 feet and you will find this glorious waterfall. The fall is best to see in the late Spring to early Summer. From late Spring, to early Summe...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Mt. Democrat (CLOSED)
4.84 mi / 2150 ft gainNOTE: As of March 2023, access to parts of this loop that are on private property (including Mt. Democrat & Mt. Lincoln) are closed to the public indefinitely. (Source) To begin this wonderful hike, drive from the town of Alma, Colorado and head up Buckskin Street for about 6 miles. I would ...Read more -
Ouray County, Colorado
Climb Mt. Sneffels via the Southwest Ridge
4.53 mi / 1800 ft gainThere is a great description of this trailhead here: Hike Mount SneffelsThe SW Ridge route of Mt Sneffels is a Class III scramble in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness area of the San Juan Range located between Ouray and Telluride, Colorado. This route is 3 miles RT with 1,800 feet of elevation gain ...Read more -
Montezuma, Colorado
Morgan Peak
8.76 mi / 2612 ft gainHow you get to Morgan Peak and the other 13ers in the area depends on if you have a 4-wheel drive with good clearance or not. If so, drive the rough Santa Fe road from the small town of Montezuma (just outside Keystone). The road is also known as Forest Service 264 and is a left at the stop sign ...Read more -
Chaffee County, Colorado
Off-Trail Hike of Limestone Ridge
4.09 mi / 1000 ft gainFinding a winter or early spring adventure that won't take you deep into dangerous mountain territory, while still providing epic vistas, is a challenge in Colorado. There are a few 10,000' tall ranges that sometimes escape deep snow, which are inviting for a first step into the alpine wonderland...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe to the Maroon Bells
5.012 mi / 1000 ft gainFrom Aspen drive down Maroon Creek Road until it comes to its winter closure located by T Lazy 7 Ranch. The Ranch offers snowmobile tours and keeps the six mile snow covered road to the Bells groomed. Most popular with cross country skiers, the snow road can also be hiked, fat biked, and skinned....Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Pawnee Pass and Pawnee Peak
5.09.95 mi / 2490 ft gainStart at the Long Lake trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation area (there's a fee to park, if you don't have a pass). Take the trail towards Lake Isabelle for a few miles, winding through forest and past Long Lake. Signage towards Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass is apparent. Just as you reach ...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Camp on the Backside of Buttermilk Mountain
1.04 mi / 2000 ft gainPark at the Buttermilk Ski Area parking lot and begin your hike up the mountain at the bottom of the Summit Express chair lift. Follow the 4x4 dirt road the entire way up Buttermilk. There are other small hiking trails that you can follow too, and with the entire mountain being a ski area, it's s...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Sunshine Lion's Lair Loop
5.05.05 mi / 1257 ft gainThis is a mix of trails that will bring you on an easy loop to the peak of Mt Sanitas, but will keep you away from the usual crowds of the more well-known paths up. The hike is a clear path that brings you 5+ miles from around 5,500 ft in elevation to 6,800. You'll start at the Centennial Trail...Read more -
Lake City, Colorado
Hike Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks
5.012 mi / 4800 ft gainThe easier drive to the Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch trailhead is reached by traveling south from Lake City and turning right onto County Road 30. Although parts can be rough and the shelf road around the base of Sunshine Peak may cause a tighter grip on the steering wheel, in dry conditions a hi...Read more -
Ophir, Colorado
Drive Ophir Pass
4.58 mi / 2500 ft gainOphir Pass (el. 11,114’), officially known as Forest Service Road #630, is one of the easiest of the high alpine trails in the San Juan mountains, but still can provide trouble to the inexperienced or when bad weather is present, particularly on the western/Ophir downhill side. The pass and road ...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Hike the Colorado Trail: Little Molas Lake to Lime Creek
5.010 mi / 755 ft gainTo hike this section of the Colorado Trail, you'll begin from the Little Molas Lake Campground at around 10,895-ft. Little Molas Lake Campground is about 1 mile off of US Highway 550 on Molas Pass just North of and on the other side of the highway from the Molas Overlook, which is just South of S...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Green Mountain via West Ridge Trail
3.23 mi / 607 ft gainStarting at 7,600 ft this 1.35 mile (one-way) hike is the shortest, and by far the least strenuous, hike to summit one of Boulder's iconic peaks. Parking for this trail-head is available along the road a short drive, 4.5 miles, up Flagstaff Rd. The trail gently slopes along a ridge for the firs...Read more
