Colorado offers some of the finest hiking in America. The state's 58 fourteeners (peaks above 14,000 feet) — more than any other state in the country — are the most famous hiking destinations, but Colorado's hiking extends far beyond the 14ers. The state's national parks, national forests, wilderness areas, and state parks offer thousands of miles of trails through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world.

Here's your guide to Colorado's best hiking, organized by region and difficulty.

Rocky Mountain National Park is the most accessible and most popular hiking destination in Colorado — 415 square miles of alpine tundra, dramatic peaks, and pristine wilderness just 70 miles from Denver.

Emerald Lake Trail (3.6 miles round trip, moderate)
The park's most popular trail, passing three beautiful alpine lakes with spectacular views of Hallett Peak. Excellent for families and first-time visitors.

Sky Pond (9 miles round trip, strenuous)
A challenging trail to a beautiful alpine lake at 11,000 feet, passing Timberline Falls and the Glass Lake. One of the finest hikes in the park.

Flattop Mountain (8.5 miles round trip, strenuous)
A trail to the summit of Flattop Mountain (12,324 feet), with panoramic views of the park and access to the Hallett Peak summit.

Longs Peak (14.5 miles round trip, very strenuous)
The park's most challenging trail, climbing to the summit of Longs Peak (14,259 feet). Requires an early start and good physical fitness.

See our Rocky Mountain National Park Guide for the complete park guide.

The Maroon Bells — two 14,000-foot peaks reflected in Maroon Lake near Aspen — are the most photographed mountains in Colorado and among the most beautiful in the world. The surrounding Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness offers excellent hiking for all skill levels.

Maroon Lake Scenic Trail (1.5 miles round trip, easy)
A flat trail around Maroon Lake, with extraordinary views of the Maroon Bells reflected in the lake. The most accessible hike in the area.

Crater Lake Trail (3.6 miles round trip, moderate)
A beautiful trail to Crater Lake, with excellent views of the Maroon Bells throughout.

West Maroon Pass (12 miles round trip, strenuous)
A challenging trail over West Maroon Pass (12,500 feet), with extraordinary views of the surrounding wilderness.

Access: The road to Maroon Lake is closed to private vehicles during peak season (late June through early October). Take the shuttle bus from Aspen.

The Colorado Trail — a 486-mile trail from Denver to Durango — is one of the great long-distance hiking trails in America. The trail passes through eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountains.

Section Hiking: The Colorado Trail is divided into 28 segments that can be hiked as day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips. The most popular sections are in the San Juan Mountains near Durango and in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness near Buena Vista.

Best Day Hike Sections:

• Segment 6 (near Breckenridge) — beautiful alpine terrain with excellent views
• Segment 22 (near Silverton) — extraordinary San Juan Mountain scenery
• Segment 27 (near Durango) — beautiful canyon and forest terrain

Colorado's 58 fourteeners — peaks above 14,000 feet — are the most iconic hiking destinations in the state. Summiting a 14er is a genuine achievement that requires preparation, fitness, and respect for the mountain environment.

Mount Bierstadt (14,060 feet, 7 miles round trip)
The most popular beginner 14er in Colorado, with a well-marked trail and relatively straightforward terrain. Located near Georgetown, about 60 miles from Denver.

Quandary Peak (14,265 feet, 6.75 miles round trip)
Another excellent beginner 14er near Breckenridge, with a clear trail and manageable terrain.

Pikes Peak (14,115 feet, 13 miles round trip via Barr Trail)
The most famous 14er in Colorado, with a well-maintained trail and the option to take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit.

Capitol Peak (14,130 feet) — one of the most challenging 14ers in Colorado, with a dramatic knife-edge ridge near the summit.

Pyramid Peak (14,018 feet) — a challenging 14er near Aspen, with steep, loose terrain.

• Start early: Begin hiking by 6am to be off the summit before afternoon thunderstorms (typically 1–3pm)
• Check the forecast: Never summit a 14er with a thunderstorm forecast
• Acclimatize: Spend at least one night at altitude before attempting a 14er
• Turn around: If you're not at the summit by noon, turn around

The San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado offer some of the finest hiking in the state — dramatic peaks, beautiful wildflower meadows, and a sense of genuine wilderness that is hard to find elsewhere in Colorado.

Ice Lake Basin (7.5 miles round trip, strenuous)
One of the finest hikes in Colorado — a trail to a beautiful alpine basin with extraordinary wildflower displays in July and August.

Weminuche Wilderness — the largest wilderness area in Colorado, with hundreds of miles of trails through extraordinary mountain scenery.

Chicago Basin — a beautiful alpine basin accessible by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, with excellent hiking to several 14er summits.

Summer (June–August): The best season for high-altitude hiking. Wildflowers peak in July. Afternoon thunderstorms are common — start early.

Fall (September–October): Excellent hiking weather, with cooler temperatures and beautiful fall colors. The aspen groves turn gold in late September.

Spring (April–May): Lower-elevation trails are excellent; higher trails may still have snow.

Colorado's hiking elevations range from 5,000 feet (Denver) to 14,000+ feet (14er summits). If you're coming from sea level, allow 1–2 days to acclimatize before attempting strenuous hikes.

For more Colorado adventures, see our Rocky Mountain National Park Guide, Colorado Mountain Towns Guide, Colorado Skiing Guide, and Colorado Fly Fishing Guide.