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.
Public Lands
City and county 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. Most towns show nearby hiking trails.
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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:
- 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
- Waterproof zip-lock bags for select items
Two of the more notable 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.
Featured hiking articles:
- Climbing Your First Colorado 14er
- Get Down In The Canyon At Castlewood Canyon State Park
- Hiking along Hanging Lake Trail
- Snowshoeing Vallecito Creek Trail, The Weminuche Wilderness
- Snow-free Winter Hike on Sand Canyon Trail
- 5 Dazzling Hikes around Colorado Springs
- Spend a Day Snowshoeing at 10 Amazing Spots
- Exploring the Springs’ Garden of the Gods
Some 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.
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