The Best Hiking Trails In Colorado You Won’t Want To Miss
Colorado trails have a way of turning simple footsteps into wide eyed moments you will replay for years.
I set out to find the routes that deliver big views, friendly challenge, and those tiny surprises that stick with you long after the dust settles.
These are the hikes I walked, sweated through, and loved, with clear tips so you can enjoy them too.
Lace up and come along because your next favorite summit story is waiting.
From alpine meadows to jagged ridges, every trail offers a story written in rock and sky.
Wildflowers, rushing streams, and occasional wildlife encounters keep each step feeling fresh and alive.
By the time you reach the top, the payoff is more than a view—it’s a sense of being fully present in the mountains.
1. Sky Pond Via Glacier Gorge Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park
Sky Pond makes you feel like you unlocked a secret room in Rocky Mountain National Park, starting from Glacier Gorge Trailhead near Estes Park, Colorado 80517, and climbing past Alberta Falls and Timberline Falls with the Continental Divide towering ahead.
The route moves from fragrant forest to wind brushed tundra, where the air tastes like adventure and sunscreen.
Scramble beside the waterfall, keep your footing, and the final basin opens like a postcard you accidentally walked into.
I timed my start before dawn to beat the crowds and the weather, and the alpenglow turned the cliffs into glowing embers.
Bring microspikes in shoulder season and a shell for swift changes.
Parking fills fast, so use the shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center on busy weekends, and always respect afternoon storms.
2. The Devil’s Thumb Trail – Eldorado Canyon State Park, Boulder County
The Devil’s Thumb Trail in Eldorado Canyon State Park, 9 Kneale Road, Eldorado Springs, Colorado 80025, climbs with a grin and a growl, rewarding every step with soaring views of the Flatirons and rolling foothills.
The grade gets spicy, the switchbacks stack up, and the horizon keeps stretching as you rise.
Pine scent follows you like a friendly guide while hawks ride thermals above the canyon walls.
I carried extra water because shade can be patchy and the sun loves this slope.
Poles help on the rocky bits, and sturdy shoes matter when you crest the ridge.
Start early to avoid afternoon gusts and aim for weekdays if possible.
When you reach the top, pause and trace the skyline from Boulder to beyond, then descend gently because knees are not heroes without your help.
3. Maroon Bells Scenic Loop – Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Aspen
The Maroon Bells Scenic Loop in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, Colorado 81611, is the easy win that still feels epic, wrapping around Maroon Lake where twin peaks pose for mirror perfect reflections.
Boardwalks and packed paths make it friendly for most legs, and wildflower meadows pop like confetti in summer.
Every turn gives a new angle on the Bells, and every camera finds its courage.
One morning clouds fiddled with the light, then the sun slipped through and the whole amphitheater gasped in color.
Reserve parking or the shuttle from Aspen Highlands, and arrive before sunrise for the calmest water.
Stay on trail to protect fragile tundra, bring layers for the chill, and wander slowly because the loop rewards unhurried eyes.
If you hear distant marmots, you are doing it right.
4. Horseshoe Mountain Loop – Near Breckenridge, Summit County
Horseshoe Mountain Loop near Breckenridge, Summit County, Colorado 80424, feels like walking the rim of the sky with panoramic rings of peaks and whispering tundra.
The path is less crowded than nearby fourteeners, yet the views are deluxe, stretching across Mosquito Range plateaus and long blue valleys.
Wildflowers stitch color between rocks, and the wind edits your thoughts down to the best ones.
I once paused on the summit and heard nothing but the flutter of my hat strap, which felt like the mountain telling a joke only I got.
Start above treeline early to dodge storms, pack a puffy, and pace yourself because altitude is honest.
The loop can be rocky and mildly exposed, so shoes with grip help.
Leave time to snack while the horizon does cartwheels.
5. Skyline Trail – Mount Evans Wilderness, Clear Creek County
The Skyline Trail in Mount Evans Wilderness, Clear Creek County, Colorado 80439, strings together airy ridgelines like beads on a wind tossed necklace.
Every rise reveals another vista and the tundra glows with tiny blooms that look hand painted.
If luck leans your way, mountain goats appear with their majestic shrug that says you are visiting their living room.
I kept a steady pace and counted breaths instead of miles, which turned the climb into a calm rhythm.
Weather moves quickly here, so check the forecast and bring a rain shell even on bluebird mornings. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential at this altitude, and water disappears faster than you expect.
Stay on durable surfaces to protect the fragile plants, and linger at the high points where silence feels like music.
6. Blue Lake Trail – Near Silverton, San Juan Mountains
Blue Lake Trail near Silverton, San Juan County, Colorado 81433, leads to a turquoise bowl that looks computer generated until wind ripples prove it is real.
The climb is moderate but persistent, weaving through firs, meadows, and a creek that chatters like an excited friend.
As the basin opens, the lake glows against serrated ridges and you suddenly forget how legs work because your eyes do not want to blink.
I brought a thermos of hot cocoa and watched clouds sketch shadows on the water, staying just long enough to memorize the color.
Start mid morning after the chill lifts, yet keep thunder awareness in summer.
Footing can be damp near the outlet, so step carefully and protect the shoreline plants.
Pack layers, stash extra snacks, and save storage for photos you will definitely take.
7. Royal Arch Trail – Chautauqua Park, Boulder
The Royal Arch Trail at Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder, Colorado 80302, climbs steeply through pine shade and sandstone staircases before threading the famous arch.
Boulder Valley spreads like a map, and the arch frames it with natural theater flair.
Expect heart rate spikes, some rock hopping, and plenty of places to breathe and grin.
One summer afternoon, a chickaree scolded my snack break like a tiny coach reminding me to hydrate.
Bring grippy shoes for the final scramble, and mind the edges when crowds gather at the arch.
Start early or late to avoid heat, carry two bottles of water, and download the route if reception fades.
After the descent, wander the historic cottages and reward yourself with a long stretch on the lawn.
8. Crater Lake Trail – San Juan National Forest, Near Durango
Crater Lake Trail in San Juan National Forest near Durango, Colorado 81301, strolls through meadows and cool forests before finishing at a high alpine lake cradled by stern cliffs.
The grade is kind, the air smells like pine tea, and the final reveal earns a quiet wow.
Waterfowl sometimes dimple the surface, sketching ripples that carry mountain colors across the bowl.
I like this route for relaxed days when legs want movement but not drama.
Pack a windbreaker since breezes funnel over the water, and watch for afternoon showers that sneak in from the west.
Keep dogs leashed to protect wildlife and pack out every crumb.
Give yourself time to circle the shore for different angles, then head back with that clean feeling only lake light seems to give.
9. Cathedral Spires Trail – Lizard Head Wilderness, Near Telluride
Cathedral Spires Trail in Lizard Head Wilderness near Telluride, Colorado 81435, feels remote in the best way, guiding you toward a skyline of stone cathedrals that look chiselled by thunder.
The path rolls through spruce and open meadows where marmots whistle like tiny referees.
When the spires finally crowd the horizon, the panorama stops small talk and goes straight to poetry.
I once misjudged a cloud and got a brisk graupel shower, which turned the rocks slick and the air deliciously crisp.
Check road conditions and fuel up in town because services thin quickly beyond Telluride.
Carry a map, extra layers, and a headlamp even for a day trip.
Keep an eye on footing near talus, photograph thoughtfully, and leave the place as wild as you found it.
10. Lake Isabelle Trail – Indian Peaks Wilderness, Near Nederland
Lake Isabelle Trail in Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland, Colorado 80466, offers a friendly grade that still lands you at a glacial lake framed by serrated peaks and bright wildflowers.
The path hums with families, solo hikers, and chipmunks auditioning for snacks, while waterfalls add soundtrack sparkle.
Early season snow patches linger, making the water look extra blue against lingering white.
I started before sunrise and watched pink light drip down the ridge like watercolor.
Parking at Brainard Lake Recreation Area can fill quickly, so reserve when required and bring cash or card for the fee.
Pack layers, sun protection, and a picnic for the lakeshore rocks.
Stay mindful of afternoon storms, keep dogs leashed, and wander the side paths for gentle viewpoints that make even short steps feel like discoveries.