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Hiking in Colorado
Colorado has more than 40,000 miles of trails across its national parks, national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas. The range is genuine — from paved lakeside loops at 7,000 feet to exposed ridge routes above 14,000 feet — and the access is unusually democratic. Many of the state’s best hikes begin within a short drive of a town with full lodging and services.
This hub covers hiking trails organized by destination across Colorado. Each destination page includes trail details, difficulty ratings, trailhead access, permit information, and lodging options nearby.
Hiking by Destination
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park is the most trail-dense destination in Colorado, with access to dozens of routes inside Rocky Mountain National Park and a strong collection of trails outside the park boundary that require no timed entry permit.
Featured trails:
- Gem Lake Trail → (moderate, 3.4 miles, no permit required)
- Alberta Falls — easy, 1.7 miles, inside RMNP
- Bear Lake to Emerald Lake — moderate, 5.1 miles, inside RMNP
- Sky Pond — strenuous, 9.0 miles, inside RMNP
Grand Lake and the West Side of RMNP
The western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park sees significantly less traffic than the Bear Lake corridor. Trails here push into genuine backcountry with far fewer crowds.
Featured trails:
- Adams Falls — easy, 0.6 miles, East Inlet Trailhead
- East Inlet Trail to Lake Verna — strenuous, 13.5 miles
- North Inlet Trail to Flattop Mountain — strenuous, 12+ miles
More Destinations Coming Soon
Trail guides for Breckenridge, Nederland, and additional Colorado destinations are in progress. Check back or explore the destinations below.
Plan Your Colorado Hike
- Timed entry permits are required for Rocky Mountain National Park late May through mid-October — book at recreation.gov
- Altitude: Most Colorado trails start above 8,000 feet. Allow time to acclimate before attempting strenuous routes if arriving from sea level
- Thunderstorms: Build rapidly above treeline on summer afternoons — plan to be off exposed terrain by noon
- Leave No Trace: Stay on marked trails, pack out all waste, and store food properly in bear country
- Trail conditions: Check current conditions at the relevant land management agency before heading out — NPS, USFS, or Colorado Parks and Wildlife depending on the trail
Related Pages
Estes Park, Colorado →
Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Guide →
Grand Lake, Colorado →
Best Campgrounds Near Estes Park →
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway →