Colorado has some of the craziest scenery in the country. For miles and miles in the east, it’s simply fields on fields on fields. Once you reach Denver, you are in an arid climate with large, red boulders in the distance. But beyond that, you see snow-capped mountains and ranges beyond those.
With three different climates in the state, there are a plethora of hiking opportunities for the avid hiker, or even if you are a beginner. Whether you like short 2-mile hikes or want to challenge yourself to a longer 10-mile hike, you’ll have options.
Here are a few of the best hikes in Colorado (all dog-friendly unless otherwise noted), all organized by their general location within the state.
Denver
While Denver is a large city with a couple of million people, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of hikes in the area. Since some are so close, you could even squeeze one in before work!
Red Rocks – Trading Post Trail
I’m sure you’ve heard of Red Rocks before, if not for its hikes, you have for its concerts. The Red Rock Amphitheater is in this park. It’s open for visitors for free if there is not a concert or event happening.
Your best luck would be to go during the day to be able to see it.
Trading Post Trail is located in Red Rocks Park, about a 25-minute drive outside of Denver.
It’s a short 1.5-mile loop that starts in the visitor lot and ends right next to the steep incline to get to the Amphitheater (so you can make it a bit longer if you want to trek up there!). You’ll gain about 350 feet of elevation on the hike itself (this doesn’t include the amphitheater).
Be sure to bring plenty of water on this hike and beware of rattlesnakes! Just make a ton of noise as you walk and you should be totally fine!
Cheesman Park
If you’re a runner, this is a great place to get a quick run in before your day starts or as it is ending!
It’s located in the heart of the city, so if you’re staying in the city limits, it’s not too hard to get to. You may even want to check out the Denver Botanic Gardens on the east side after your run.
Once you are there, the trail is a 1.1-mile loop around the large green field. If you go in the evening on a nice night, you’ll probably see a ton of people out and about with their dogs, having picnics, or playing sports.
Washington Park
Washington Park is another large green area within the city limits of Denver. Many families come here with their kids, couples come to walk their dogs, and runners are found running around the park at all times of the day.
There are a few different loops you could do within the park depending on how long you want to go. They range from a little over half a mile to 2.5 miles around.
Sloan’s Lake Park
Sloan’s Lake offers a loop hike that is 2.6 miles in length. It follows the lake all the way around and takes about an hour to walk.
You will see gorgeous views of the mountains beyond while getting a nice breeze from the lake. This is great for an afternoon stroll or a run by the water!
Boulder
You got a roommate back in Boulder? Yeah, me neither, but you bet I blasted that Chainsmokers song as I drove into the city!
It certainly lives up to the hype. It’s a hopping city with a laid-back vibe, with nature at every turn. Here are a few hikes I did while I was there.
First and Second Flatirons
The view out my bedroom window was the Flatirons for 4 nights. I couldn’t have asked for a better view, and truly haven’t had a better view since then.
The First and Second Flatiron’s hike was relatively challenging as it goes up pretty quickly and for a long time. It’s a 3.5-mile out-and-back trail with over 1,400 feet in elevation gain. There are a few sections where you’re basically just on a rock trail in the middle of it.
Unfornutaley, the first time Tripp and I tried it, we did not make it to the top since someone was hurt. They had to do an evacuation route and drop rocks – not sure exactly what that means, but I didn’t need rocks falling on me so I did not hesitate to turn around when the rangers asked me to. We were probably about a half-mile from the top and the views were still gorgeous.
We did it again in summer of 2023 and made it to the top. The views are gorgeous! This is one of those hikes that you have to add to your to-do list in Boulder.
Nederland – Lost Lake via Hessie Trail
Although not in Boulder, Nederland is a 30-minute drive outside of town into the mountains. It’s a beautiful drive with Boulder Creek next to you almost the entire time.
The hike was gorgeous – and even at the end of May, there was still snow lining the trails. And yes, I did slip 3 times and fall onto the snow. Crampons would have been nice to have had I been a bit more prepared, but it was doable. We even saw an engagement at the top.
Lost Lake is a 4-mile out-and-back hike with an 830-foot elevation gain. It feels relatively moderate since elevation changes gradually over the 2 miles up.
My advice: Pack a sandwich for the top. You’ll want to spend some time up there on the lake hanging out.
Nederland – Barker Reservoir Recreation Area
The Barker Reservoir sits right next to the town of Nederland. It’s a large Reservoir that adds to the beauty of the area. There is a trail that runs along it for a 3.7-mile out-and-back hike. This is beautiful to do on a gorgeous day. There is only about 50 ft of elevation gain as well, so it is a leisurely like.
You can either park at the recreational area off of Boulder Canyon Drive or the lot by the Reservoir in the town of Nederland.
Greeley
Greeley is a decently sized city to the northeast of Denver about an hour away. It has an industrial feel to it, but there is a nice trail.
Poudre River Trail
The Poudre River Trail runs along the Cache La Poudre River. Although it is less of a “hike,” this paved trail runs 21 miles along the river between Windsor and Greeley.
Tripp and I did a run/walk on this trail for 4 miles out-and-back starting at Island Grove State Park. We didn’t see much of it, but from what we did see, it’s a great trail for cycling and running!
Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs is about an hour away from Boulder to the west. It’s a small mountain town known for its mining. In fact, there’s a large mine that you can tour while you are there. I personally recommend the hike, though, if you are limited on time.
St. Mary’s Glacier
St. Mary’s Glacier is a beautiful hike about 30 minutes out of town. It’s up a relatively steep mountain road, so if the weather is bad, definitely consider rescheduling.
Saint Mary’s Glacier is a semi-permanent snowfield with Saint Mary’s Lake situated right at the bottom of it.
The hike is a 2.5-mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 1,030 feet. You’ll reach the lake in the first half-mile of the hike, where you can rest and relax. If you feel like trekking up the mountain and snow, you have about another half hour before you reach the top. “The top” kind of just ends, but there are other trails off of it.
You don’t want to forget your camera for this one! Or if you’re me, you wish you didn’t break your phone tripod on this hike.
Aspen
While I only drove to Aspen for about 15 minutes on my way to Maroon Bells, it looked beautiful, so consider spending some time here while at the Maroon Bells.
The Maroon Bells
North America’s most photographed mountains – bright, colorful, and picturesque. I’ve never seen so many colors in the summer.
I only spent about 5 hours at the Maroon Bells, but you could spend a lot more time here. These would be some of the best hikes in Colorado during the Fall season for sure.
Once I’m more experienced, I’d love to go back and overnight to Conundrum Creek Trail to the hot springs, and maybe during Fall. However, I just did a few shorter ones.
I arrived at 7:15 am – which was perfect to see the reflection of the mountains on the lake. Later in the afternoon, you don’t see this.
My first hike was Crater Lake, a 3.5-mile out-and-back hike with a little over a 600-foot elevation gain. Besides being rocky in some places, it’s a relatively easy hike to the lake which offers beautiful views and reflections. There were only a couple of other people up there when I got there a little after 9, so it was perfect.
I also hiked the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail, which Tripp was not allowed on (no dogs), because there have been too many moose sightings. I did not happen to see one. The trail is a 1.9-mile loop around the lake and the creek, with beautiful views of flowers lining the entire thing. It took me about 50 minutes to complete.
Leadville
Leadville claims to be the highest city by elevation in the United States, sitting at 10,151′. While there are definitely towns that are higher in elevation than this, this is the highest “incorporated” city. It is also home to one of the highest mountains in Colorado.
Mount Elbert 14er – Tallest Mountain in Colorado
Mount Elbert, the tallest mountain in Colorado (and the highest mountain dogs are allowed on in the United States!) was my first 14er ever, sitting at an elevation of 14,440 feet.
Hiking it was quite the challenge, but a rewarding one at that. This is definitely one of the best hikes in Colorado, and maybe the coolest I’ve ever done. It is 11 miles out and back, and you gain an elevation of 4,338 feet along the route.
You spend about 3 miles below the tree line and about a mile and a half above it. Once you get above the tree line, the hike gets steeper and steeper, so be sure to save your energy (and water) for this part. I’d say I’m in pretty good shape, but with the elevation and the grade, I was stopped every .05 miles for a breath (and Tripp was, too).
If you choose to do this hike, make sure you are prepared for the elevation and the distance.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a gem within itself, but it comprises a ton of hikes right at the base of the mountains as well. Although I haven’t done a longer hike here, I have explored some of the areas within the town itself which I highly recommend.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
There are more than 10 offially marked trails within the Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Some of them are short while others offer a bit more length.
Another great part about the Open Space area is that there is an off-leash dog area that is fenced in. If you have a dog like Tripp, this is perfect! You know that they are safe, but they think they have free roam. We loved going here as a mid-morning activity when we visited!
It is free to park and use this space.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is a quaint town right next door to Colorado Springs. It is known for the Manitou Incline hike and the Garden of the Gods but has so much more to it as well!
The Manitou Incline
The Manitou Incline is a 1-mile straight up the mountain side kind-of hike. It may not sound that hard or like it will take that long – but rest assured, it is hard.
The hike will take you more than 1,600 feet up in a little over a mile. It is all stairs – some small and some large.
Because the hike is so steep up the mountain, you will have to take the Bragg Trail back down, which is a 3-mile downhill hike.
In order to get to the Manitou Incline, you have to make a reservation for the time slot that you wish to go. The good news, though, is that you don’t have to pay to make this reservation! Once you have the reservation, you can head to one of the parking spots downtown Manitou Springs where you can then catch the bus to the start of the trail.
When you get off the bus, be sure to ask for directions instead of following the crowd. There are no signs and most people have no idea where they are actually going!
Garden of the Gods
You’ve probably heard of the iconic Garden of the Gods, but did you know that there are so many more trails than you probably think? You could spend a whole day in here if you wanted to!
If you want a good glimpse of the park, I recommend these two trails:
Siamese Twins Loop Trail
This is a relatively short trail in the park that loops for about .6 miles total. You will only gain 104 feet in elevation, so it is easy to do in under 30 minutes.
You will see Pikes Peak through the Siamese Twins when you get to that part of the hike – about half way through it.
Perkins Central Garden Trail
This trail is a 1.1 mile loop that is in the heart of the Garden of the Gods. Because this is the main attraction area, parking can be limited, so be ready to circle a few times before you get a spot.
This trail is paved the entire time. Although it is short, plan to spend an hour or more on this trail to soak it all in.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Great Sand Dunes National Park sits about 30 minutes outside of Alamosa, the nearest “larger” town. The road to get there is about 15 miles long once you turn off the main highway.
High Dune Trail
High Dune Trail is one of the more popular trails in the Park since it is shorter without too much of an elevation gain. That’s not to say it isn’t challenging, though!
It is a 3-mile out and back with an elevation gain of 630-feet with no specific trail to follow…you basically just start walking on the dunes until you find your way on the highest point (where everyone else is probably standing, too).
You should hike this trail early in the morning during the Summer, as the sand can get up to 150 degrees. Wearing hiking shoes is also a good idea rather than flip-flops. I hiked with the shoes on the way up and took them off halfway down to enjoy the feeling of sand on my feet (being a Florida gal, it reminded me of home!).
Best Hikes in Colorado
These are some of my favorite hikes in Colorado – ranging everywhere from 3 miles to 11 miles, and an elevation gain of a few hundred feet to more than a few thousand feet of elevation gain. Some had snow even in the summer, while some were hot.
There’s a huge mix of hikes on this list, and I tried my best to give tips and information about each. However, it’s always best to do plenty or research before hitting the trail!
What are some of the best hikes in Colorado on your list?