If you’ve never hiked before these beginner trails will get you hooked.
Have you been nervous to start hiking? These trails will ease your fears.
Thinking you’d hate hiking? Try a trail and decide if hiking is for you.
Getting into Colorado’s backcountry is easy peasy with the right trail for beginners and we’ve hiked some great beginner trails to share ….
CLICK ANY PHOTO FOR ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED FOR EACH HIKE
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Lower Cataract Trail – Heeney, CO
An absolutely stunning 2.5 mile beginner trail that takes you around an alpine lake with views of the Gore Range, Lower Cataract Lake Trail. This hike won’t disappoint even a seasoned hiker. Aspens in fall, abundant wildflowers in summer and snow covered trails in winter, it’s a year round perfect beginner trail. Located north of Silverthorne, CO, off of Hwy 9, just outside of Green Mountain Reservoir.
Blue Lakes Trail – Breckenridge, CO
Hike above timberline on this very short, easy, yet exhilarating trail. Blue Lakes Trail starts above timberline where Mother Nature is obviously in charge. Wind blown twisted dwarfed pines, tundra, and steep rocky slopes surround an amazingly blue lake. Marmots, pika mouse and mountain goats greet you as you arrive. Easy to get to on Hwy 9 (Hoosier Pass) Turn onto Blue Lakes Rd (CR850) for 2.2 miles.
Mayflower Gulch Trail – Summer & Winter – Summit County, CO
A favorite hike of ours, Mayflower Gulch Trail takes you to some of the most stunning scenery in Colorado. We hike this trail every year in every season and have never been disappointed. The Trailhead is easy to find 6 miles past Copper Mtn Ski Area on Fremont Pass towards the town of Leadville. Hiking in summer or snowshoeing in winter it’s the perfect beginner hike. Beautiful alpine setting sitting just under the Ten Mile Range above timberline.
If new to snowshoeing, Mayflower Gulch in Winter is perfect for you!
Judd Falls Trail – Crested Butte, CO
You can’t go wrong hiking anywhere near Crested Butte. Judd Falls Trail is sensational. The hike, the falls, the views, the wildflowers, it’s all here. A bit of a Colorado secret and now you know. Trailhead starts in the town of Gothic, another bonus to your day.
Judd Falls is a hike for all levels and if new to hiking, you’ll soon be hooked!
Limber Grove Trail – Summer & Winter – Fairplay, CO
Head off the beaten path onto CR 18 off of 285 just south of Fairplay, CO and find one of Colorado’s most unusual hikes. Limber Grove Trail is a forest of Bristlecone and Limber pines. Want something different, hiking through these twisted old trees is for you.
Recently did this hike in winter and found it just as amazing Limber Grove in Winter. (a bit more challenging). Watch for road closing in winter on CR 18 before you go
Loveland Lakes – Loveland Pass, CO
Hiking on top of any of our mountain passes is my favorite and you can experience this on Loveland Lakes Trail without any effort. Easy peasy and breathtaking in one of Colorado’s most beautiful spots. Hike to the last lake and on the far end, sit and take in the staggering views.
A GENTILE REMINDER: Venturing off trails damages vegetation, leads to erosion and impacts wildlife.
Inter-Laken – Twin Lakes, CO
The views and hike along Twin Lakes might get you excited to do more hikes! Inter-Laken Trail rolls gently up and down along the lakeshore with views of Mt. Elbert peeking through a forest of tall Aspen trees. Sound beautiful? It’s stunning. But that’s not all, after hiking 2.4 miles you come upon the preserved 1879 Inter-Laken historic resort. Open for you to explore on your own. You’ll be here awhile. Located between Buena Vista, CO and Leadville, CO. Open year round – great beginner snowshoe!
Three Lakes Trail – Somerset, CO
Three Lakes Trail on Kebler Pass about 16 miles from Crested Butte is colorful Colorado. 3 alpine lakes, a waterfall, wildflowers, aspens, pines … it’s all here. Easy 4.7 mile loop hiking on one of Colorado’s most beautiful mountain passes. Highly recommend!
A hike to remember and you’ll get completely hooked on hiking on this trail.
Lily Pad Lakes Trail – Silverthorne, CO
Lily Pad Lakes Trail is an easy day hike to a fairy tale like setting with possible sightings of moose and an abundance of wildflowers in summer. One of our favorite year round easy hikes or snowshoe.
Popular in summer. Very crowded. Try to go really early for parking and to catch a moose sighting! Or go in late fall and have the trail to yourself.
Bridgeport Trail – Dominguez Canyon Wilderness
Last but certainly not least… Bridgeport Trail. One of our favorite hikes. Located on the Western Slope in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Red canyon walls, cottonwood trees, the gunnison river, finding cacti everywhere, and petrographs are just some of the reasons we love this trail. It’s so peaceful and quiet.
The only way to see it is to hike in.
If you hike or have hiked any of these trails, I’d love to hear how it went for you, drop me a comment.
… hope to see you on the trails!
This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase anything through one of our links you will be supporting our small business at no extra cost to you.
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