Some of our favorites trails for amazing day hikes in Colorado’s backcountry. Do one of these and you will be itching to do another one!
Different levels of skills for each one but certainly doable with acclimation to altitude and hiking at your own pace.
GUARANTEED TO GET YOU HOOKED ON HIKING!
Booth Lake Trail
LOVE, LOVE THIS DAY HIKE, SO INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS
Booth Lake Trail was strenuous, exhilarating, and will leave you speechless when reaching tree line. Beautiful from beginning to end with the added bonus of popular 60′ Booth Falls!
FOR MORE INFO: Booth Lake Trail
TIDBITS
10 mile out and back
Rated: difficult
Trail # 2011
Elevation gain: 3,053 feet
Portable Restrooms at trailhead
Open to hiking, horseback, dogs on leash
Not open to mountain bikes
Popular for trout fishing in late summer – Colorado Fishing License
Parking: limited – another option: East Vail Free Shuttle
Eagle – Holy Cross Ranger District – Camping Information
Eagles Nest Wilderness
Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no added cost to you)
Mohawk Lakes Trail
THIS IS A DAY HIKE NOT TO MISS. IT’S EVERYTHING COLORADO!
Mohawk Lakes Trail is one of Colorado’s best day hikes. Starting at 10,390′ elevation and reaching 12,000′ this hike has it all. Alpine lakes, old cabins, creek crossings, summer wildflowers, a stupendous waterfall, and unimaginable views.
FOR MORE INFO: Mohawk Lakes Trail
TIDBITS
6 miles out and back – to lower lake
6.7 miles out and back – to upper lake
Rated: moderate/strenuous
No restrooms at trailhead
Crazy crowded in summer months – come early!
Nearest Town: Breckenridge, CO
Open to: hiking, snowshoeing, dogs on leash, horses and mountain bikes
Dillon Ranger District – dispersed camping information
Mayflower Gulch Trail
WE HAVE AN OBSESSION WITH THIS HIKE!
Mayflower Gulch Trail is an awesome adventure in any season. An easy uphill mile tops out at what some call the Mayflower Amphitheater with its surrounding views of Mayflower Hill (elevation 12,389 ft), Pacific Peak (elevation 13,950 ft) and Fletcher Mountain (elevation 13,951 ft). Stunning! You can explore here or keep going on several trail options leading in all directions!
FOR MORE INFO: Mayflower Gulch Trail
TIDBITS:
Boston Mine Camp, 1.8 mile, starts at 10,994 ft., ends at 11,980 ft.
Gold Hill and across top: approx: 4 miles out and back
Gold Crest Mine Site: approx: 3 miles out and back
No restrooms at trailhead
Rated: easy to moderate
Open to: hiking, snowshoeing, nordic skiing, dogs, mountain bikes
Kid Friendly
Located in: Arapaho National Forest
SNOWSHOEING IS MAGICAL HERE: Mayflower Gulch Trail – in winter! Have a pair of snowshoes and hiking in Colorado is endless. My snowshoes are Tubbs Women’s Wilderness. I can’t recommend them enough! They are easy to put on and off and a dream on the snow.
Native Lakes Trail
OFF THE BEATEN PATH, SOLITUDE AND SO SCENIC!
Native Lake Trail, near Leadville CO, is one for the bucket list of hikes in Colorado. You’ll find yourself hiking uphill through dense pines and spruces, crossing creeks, hiking across alpine tundra above treeline then down again with towering views of Mt. Massive and the Continental Divide.
FOR MORE INFO: Native Lakes Trail
TIDBITS
8.2 miles out and backRated: moderate
Elevation start: 10,780 ft. Across the tundra 11,879 ft. at the lake 11,293 ft,
Open to leashed dogs
No restrooms at trailhead
Nearest town: Leadville, CO
Herman Gulch Trail
FIELDS OF WILDFLOWERS & STUNNING ALPINE LAKE!
Herman Gulch Trail, a heart-pumping hike through fields of wildflowers, and landing at a crystal clear alpine lake surrounded by the Continental Divide Peaks. One of the most sought after hikes in the front range of Colorado, for good reasons!
FOR MORE INFO: Herman Gulch Trail
TIDBITS
6.5 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1,755ft.
Herman Lake sits at 11,987 ft.
Rated: moderate
2 portable potties at the Trailhead
Open to leashed dogs, horses, bikes
Arapahoe National Forest – for camping information
Clear Creek Ranger District – for trail conditions
Nearest Town: Georgetown
Blue Lakes Trail
THE MOST BREATHTAKING HIKE WE’VE HIKED
There is nothing like a hike in the rugged beauty of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Hiking Blue Lakes Trail was beyond our expectations! Looking for a trail that won’t disappoint? This is it! Rated hard, which sounds intimidating, but so worth it. It was a bit of a scramble to reach the Upper Blue Lakes but its doable so don’t let the rating scare you! It’s one of the most breathtaking hikes we’ve hiked.
FOR MORE INFO: Blue Lakes Trail
TIDBITS
Trail # 201
Rated: Strenuous
6.3 miles (first lake) – 11 miles out and back
Portable restroom at trailhead
Start elevation: At trailhead, 9350 ft.
Elevation: Upper Lake, 11,720 ft.
Elevation: Blue Lakes Pass: roughly 13,000 ft.
Trails you want to be prepared for with appropriate hiking gear. Please check out “What’s in your Day Back”. For a list of recommended items to consider anytime hiking.
Brown’s Creek Falls Trail
EXHILARATING FAMILY FRIENDLY DAY HIKE!
Browns Creek Falls is a day hike in Colorado’s Mountains you won’t forget. Reach the end of the trail and you suddenly happen upon the falls, it’s that unexpected. Roaring, rushing, white water thundering down from a rocky ledge high above.
FOR MORE INFO: Browns Creek Falls Trail
TIDBITS
Rated: moderate
6.2 miles out and back
Trail #1429
Restrooms at trailhead
Start at 8,990 ft, elevation, End at 9,830 ft
Open to: leashed dogs, horses, mountain bikes
No motorized vehicles
Dispersed camping allowed but not at the Trailhead
Fire restrictions common
Inter-Laken Trail
WANDER THROUGH A HISTORIC RESORT!
Need an easy trail with stunning views in Colorado’s high country? Sitting at the base of Independence Pass in Twin Lakes, Inter-Laken Trail rolls gently up and down right alongside one of Colorado’s most beautiful lakes. Upon hiking about 2.4 miles you will find the remains of the historic “Inter-Laken Resort” built-in 1879 which is remarkable!
Inter-Laken Trail is perfect for families, a great beginner trail, a perfect snowshoe trail, a trail to show off Colorado to visitors, and a nice hike to acclimate to the altitude before hitting higher trails.
FOR MORE INFO: Inter-Laken Trail
TIDBITS
Rated: easy
4.7 miles out and back
Start Elevation: 9,272 ft. minimal gain
No restrooms at trailhead
Popular for: hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback, fishing and trail running
Open year round
Nearest Towns: Twin Lakes, Leadville, Buena Vista
Part of the Colorado Trail/Collegiate West Trail
Chief Mountain Trail
SWEEPING 360-DEGREE VIEWS!
Chief Mountain Trail is a great beginner summit hike. It’s a decent climb, right from the start for 1.5 miles while gaining 1000 ft in elevation. 360-degree views at the summit rival those of Colorado’s 14ers. Once you do this trail, you’ll be excited to do more high altitude hikes in the substantial peaks!
FOR MORE INFO: Chief Mountain Trail
TIDBITS
3 miles out and back
Rated: moderate
Trail #58
Elevation start: 10,800′ gain: 1,000′
No restrooms
Family friendly
Open to leashed dogs, hiking, snowshoeing
Arapaho National Forest
Clear Creek Ranger District
Browns Pass to Hartenstein Lake
FOR HIKING ENTHUSIASTS!
HIking to Hartenstein Lake is on one of the leading trails into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area and offers the ultimate mountain experience! So many options, you will find the Trailhead to Mt. Yale (14er) or you can hike over Browns Pass or do a day hike to Hartenstein Lake.
FOR MORE INFO: Hartenstein Lake Hike
TIDBITS
Rated: moderate/challenging in spots
6 miles out and back
Start elevation: 9,880 ft.
End elevation:11,480 ft
Parking at trailhead
Restroom at trailhead
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area
San Isabel National Forest
Nearest town: Buena Vista
McCullough Gulch Trail
HIKE THIS AND YOU WILL BE INSPIRED TO DO MORE TRAILS!
McCullough Gulch Hike, a popular sought after trail in Breckenridge CO, you don’t want to miss! A bit on the strenuous side of moderate but so worth the effort. There is nothing lacking on this trek, it’s an alpine playground.
FOR MORE INFO: McCullough Gulch Trail
TIDBITS
2.7 miles out and back from trailhead + a half mile trek to the Trailhead making it 3.7 miles.
Rated: moderate, consider it’s an uphill trek with lots of rocks and steep areas at high altitude.
Start Elevation: 11,100 ft. Elevation gain: 1,578 ft.
2 portable restrooms at the overflow parking lot for Quandary Peak
Highly popular trail, can become very crowded, limited close parking.
Dog friendly
Popular for snowshoeing: Contact Dillon Park Ranger District for Trail conditions.
Nearest town: Breckenridge, CO
NOTE: The road to the trailhead may be gated for weather issues in winter.
TIP: When hiking in spring, late fall, and winter one item I LOVE is hand warmers, I get cold easy and they save me from being miserable. I’ve even used them in the summer!
Ptarmigan Lake Trail
THE TRAIL THAT GOT ME HOOKED ON HIKING TO ALPINE LAKES
Want to start hiking in Colorado and end up above timberline at an alpine lake surrounded by views of 13ers & 14ers? Ptarmigan Lake Trail is it! You’ll be smitten from start to finish…
FOR MORE INFO: Ptarmigan Lake Trail
TIDBITS
Rated: moderate6.2 miles out and back
Trail #1444
Elevation start: 10,680 ft.
Elevation end: 12,300 ft.
Restroom at trailhead
Dog friendly
Chaffee County
Nearest town: Buena Vista
Hoping one of these hikes makes it to your list of hikes to do! Guaranteed to make you happy and excited to do more trails. Have questions, need help, or simply want to share your hiking adventures leave a comment below. Love to hear from you.
Happy Trails!
Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no added cost to you).
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