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Longs Peak Hiking Colorado
Hiking Longs Peak in northern Colorado.

Colorado Hiking

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You can hike pretty much anywhere in Colorado, as it’s all pretty scenic. Some hikes lead you to the top of a snowy peak or through alpine valleys, while some pass spooky ghost towns and secluded hot springs. Read our hiking blog.

Hiking Trails in Colorado

There are literally too many hiking trails in the state to name. Every city, state and national park has at least one, and that’s only a small fraction of what’s located throughout public land. Below are longer hikes, which can be done in sections as a day hike, or multi-day trek.

Alamosa South Bluff Recreation Trail
Alamosa South Bluff
Alamosa
Apex Recreation Trail
Apex
Golden
Barr Recreation Trail
Barr
Manitou Springs
Bear Creek Recreation Trail
Bear Creek
Ouray
Big Dry Creek Recreation Trail
Big Dry Creek
Westminster
Calico Recreation Trail
Calico
Dolores
Clear Creek Recreation Trail
Clear Creek
Wheat Ridge
Colorado Trail
Colorado Trail
Denver-Durango
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Continental Divide Trail
north-to-south central
Crag Crest Recreation Trail
Crag Crest
Cedaredge
Devils Head Recreation Trail
Devils Head
Sedalia
Fish Creek Falls Recreation Trail
Fish Creek Falls
Steamboat Springs
Grays Peak Recreation Trail
Grays Peak
Silver Plume
Greyrock Mountain Recreation Trail
Greyrock Mountain
Laporte
Highline Canal Recreation Trail
Highline Canal
Denver
Highline Loop Recreation Trail
Highline Loop
Dolores
Lake Fork Recreation Trail
Lake Fork
South Fork
Mineral Belt Recreation Trail
Mineral Belt
Leadville
Monte Vista Walking Recreation Trail
Monte Vista Walking
Monte Vista
Mount Evans Recreation Trail
Mount Evans
Idaho Springs
Mount McConnel Recreation Trail
Mount McConnnel
Laporte
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Old Spanish Trail
southwestern
Petroglyph Point Recreation Trail
Petroglyph Point
Cortez
Pony Express National Historic Trail
Pony Express Trail
northeastern
Platte River Greenway Recreation Trail
Platte River Greenway
Denver
Poudre River Corridor Recreation Trail
Poudre River
Greeley
Rio Grande Nature Recreation Trail
Rio Grande Nature
Alamosa
Rocky Mountain Arsenal Recreation Trail
Rocky Mountain Arsenal
Denver
Round Mountain Recreation Trail
Round Mountain
Loveland
Sand Creek Regional Greenway Recreation Trail
Sand Creek Regional Greenway
Denver
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
Santa Fe Trail
southeastern
Swamp Park Recreation Trail
Swamp Park
Steamboat Springs
Two Elk Recreation Trail
Two Elk
Vail
Two Ponds Recreation Trail
Two Ponds
Arvada
Vail Pass Recreation Trail
Vail Pass
Copper Mountain
Vindicator Valley Trail Victor
Vindicator Valley
Victor
West Lost Trail Recreation Trail
West Lost Trail Creek
Creede
Wheeler Tenmile Recreation Trail
Wheeler Tenmile
Frisco
White Ranch Open Space Park Loop Trail Golden Colorado
White Ranch
Golden

Colorado Birding Trail – Varies

Fountain Creek Regional Trail, CO

Fountain Creek Regional Trail – Fountain

Government Trail in Aspen, Colorado

Government Trail – Aspen

Image of a man in a cavern on the Grottos Trail in Aspen, Colorado

Grottos Trail to Ice Caves – Aspen

Little Dry Creek Trail – Westminster

New Santa Fe Regional Trail – Monument-Palmer Lake

Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, CO

Pikes Peak Greenway Trail – Colorado Springs

Pueblo Riverwalk, CO

Pueblo Riverwalk – Pueblo

Guide to Hiking in Colorado

Autumn Aspen Forest Hiking Trail Pitkin Colorado
Autumn aspen forest hike by Pitkin. Photo: trevorklatko

Colorado is a hiker’s paradise. From jagged 14,000 foot peaks to rolling forest hills, you can find it here. Remember to adjust for the elevation and prepare properly.

Summer is the most popular time of year to hike. The spring snow has had a chance to melt off the trails by June, and locals’ and tourists hit the trails. Afternoon thunderstorms are most common in June and July, so always start your hike early, and turn back if you see signs of a storm rolling in.

Grizzly Peak, Colorado
Grizzly Peak, Colorado. Photo: Ben Mason

Two of the most notable, long-distance hiking trails in Colorado:

Colorado Trail – 486 mile trail from Waterton Canyon in Littleton to Durango; built by mostly volunteers, this outstanding route connects the foothills, near Chatfield Reservoir with Southwest Colorado. It passes through 7 national forests, 6 wilderness areas, and 5 major river systems.

Continental Divide Trail – 3,100 mile national trail through the Rockies from Canada to Mexico. It passes through Colorado for approximately 800 miles. It crosses paths with the Colorado Trail several times.

Hiking Trails in Colorado’s Public Parks

From quick lunch break treks to a more enduring adventure into the vast wilderness, Colorado’s full of great hikes. Prep your backpack and take on an overnight hike. Or just find something perfect for a morning triumph, so you’re back by dinner.

Colorado City Parks
City Parks
Colorado National Lands
Federal Lands
Colorado State Parks
State Parks

City parks provide an easy opportunity for a relaxing trek. National parks and monuments are great places to hike. All state parks offer a chance to stretch your legs and walk around. Many towns show nearby hiking with trails of varying lengths and difficulty.

Hiking Gear Checklist

Colorado Hiking Mount Elbert
14,000+ Hikes: Climbing Your First Colorado 14er – hiking tips for the high Rocky Mountains

Depending on the hike length and difficulty, gear needs change. On a short, quarter-mile hike, you’ll probably be fine with running shoes and a t-shirt. On longer treks though, you’ll need to pack smarter.

Always dress in layers so you can remove longer-sleeves while you hike uphill and add them on again when you need them. It’s smart to have a lightweight rain-jacket that you can compress inside your pack. It can double as a layer of warmth when needed. Most importantly, bring a friend, and tell someone else where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

Here is a simple hiking checklist:

  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Water and food
  • Knife, compass, map
  • Camera, cell phone
  • Sunscreen, lip balm
  • Poncho or rain gear – a heavy duty garbage bag is excellent
  • Cold weather gear – gloves, jacket, pants
  • Weatherproof matches and fire starter
  • Flash light and spare batteries
  • First aid kit (affiliate link)
  • Waterproof zip-lock bags for select items

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View Page 2 of hiking blog

Related Activities

Most of the activities on this site can be combined with hiking in some way. At the end of the day, a campsite is a wonderful place to unwind. Some hikes lead to remote fishing gems, while others begin by them. Many of the snow fueled waterfalls require a short hike to reach.

Colorado Biking

Biking
 
Colorado Camping
Camping
Colorado Fishing
Fishing
Colorado Hot Springs
Hot Springs
Colorado Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing
Colorado Waterfalls
Waterfalls

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