Want to experience summits and 360-degree views? This set of trails in the high country near Denver, intended for the more adventurous and experienced. Click on the hiking trail profiles below to get information like drive times, maps, and detailed descriptions of these hikes near Denver.

Black Lake Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

Black Lake Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

Black Lake Falls cascades down the towering granite cliffs above Black Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. This trail through Glacier Gorge takes hikers past multiple sub-alpine lakes and several waterfalls. It's a demanding, 10 mile, round-trip hike with significant elevation gain in the heart of RMNP. Note: Rocky Mountain National Park now requires timed entry permits from May 27th ...
chicago lakes from above with storm brewing near mt evans colorado

Chicago Lakes Hike Near Mt. Evans

Want to take in some of Colorado's breathtaking scenery and put some miles under your hiking boots? The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. You'll pass three more mountain lakes as you punch up into the high country of Colorado's Mt. Evan's Wilderness. Explore the full trail profile below for the Chicago Lakes which includes driving directions, map, and ...
rock formations and trees near on tundra near the summit of chief mountain colorado

Chief Mountain Hike

Chief Mountain is a 1.5-mile hike in the mountains just one hour outside of Denver, Colorado. The Chief Mountain trail travels through alpine forest, then breaks out into high-country tundra, eventually gaining panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Chief Mountain gives hikers an incredible vantage point to survey the changing colors of Fall spread out in 360 degrees below. Explore the ...
grizzly peak mountain in colorado with clouds and high country tundra landscape

Grizzly Peak Hike at Loveland Pass

Grizzly Peak is a challenging 5-mile hike from Loveland Pass that ends with a scramble to its craggy 13,427' summit with breathtaking views of the Loveland Pass area, local ski resorts, and 14ers Grays and Torreys Peaks. About one hour from Denver, Grizzly and it's sister peak, Sniktau are two of the most accessible 13er peak hikes near Denver. Trail ...
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Herman Gulch to Herman Lake Hike

The Herman Gulch Trail is one of the best summer wildflower hikes near Denver. It's also a challenging winter snowshoe and is often used for cross-country skiing. The Herman Gulch Trail is a 2.5 mile (one-way), out-and-back adventure into snowcapped mountain country and provides access to many more trails in Arapaho National Forest. Explore the full Herman Gulch hike profile ...
golden aspens and green pine trees on the mountains of kenosha pass colorado hikes near denver in the fall

Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails

Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. It offers both an East and West trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views. Starting at 10,000' the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how far one decides to travel on these beautiful segments of ...
hiker and child on mt bierstadt trail with mountains in background hike near denver

Mt. Bierstadt Trail on Guanella Pass

Summit a Fourteener, Mount Bierstadt, or go for an easy hike with your family high in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. In short, you've got options on this trail near the top of Guanella Pass. You can choose an easy stroll or a difficult hike. Explore the trail snapshot and profile below for hiking, camping, and trail map info. Trail Snapshot: Mr ...
mountain goats near summit of mount evans colorado easy hike

Mt. Evans Summit Hike

Mount Evans is one of Colorado's Front Range Fourteeners, and like Pikes Peak, Mt. Evans has a road that takes you to a trail just a few hundred feet shy of the summit where you are likely to see both Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats. The key to exploring Mount Evans is knowing the stops along the way. View our ...
hiker at the beginning of the sniktau and grizzly trail on loveland pass with tundra of mountains in foreground and blue skies with clouds on hiike near denver

Mt. Sniktau Hike at Loveland Pass

Mt. Sniktau may be the most accessible and breathtaking summit hike near Denver. This 4-miles, moderate hike up to Sniktau travels across high country tundra along ridgelines with views of Grays and Torrey peaks and views of the Gore Range of mountains in the north. Considered a year-round hike this trail is popular with hikers wanting to get in shape ...
Shelf Lake Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

Shelf Lake Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

You won't find the cascades of Shelf Lake Falls on the map. This tiered, shelf waterfall is hidden away in the high country above Glacier Gorge in Rocky Mountain National Park. Shelf Lake Falls flows out of Solitude Lake then into a creek that spills over the rock shelves of the falls, cutting strange formations out of the snow and ...
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Shelf Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

This demanding hike in Rocky Mountain National Park takes you off the beaten path to two high-mountain lakes, and grants views of several waterfalls along the way. This trail profile provides helpful details for making the journey to Shelf Lake, Shelf Lake Falls, and Solitude Lake. Because the hike to Shelf Lake requires travel on unmaintained trails, it is best ...
Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes Trail

Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes Trail

Silver Dollar Lake Trail graces hikers with not just one, but three lakes! This easy to moderate hike, approximately 3-4 miles, treks up lake by lake. Each successive one along the Silver Dollar Lake Trail perches above the previous, creating multiple platforms from which to view the valley, breathe in the beauty, and take pictures. Situated along the stunning Guanella ...
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Solitude Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park

Solitude Lake is an alpine lake situated in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. Solitude is aptly named, as it is hidden from the main trail system, situated high above Glacier Gorge in the shadow of Thatchtop and Arrowhead Peak. Because the hike to Solitude and its twin sister, Shelf Lake, require travel on unmaintained trails, it is best ...
Square Top Lakes Trail on Guanella Pass

Square Top Lakes Trail on Guanella Pass

The Square Top Lakes Trail, one of several cresting Guanella Pass above Georgetown, CO, gives hikers a chance to behold sweeping valley vistas and the imposing profile of Mount Bierstadt. Simply driving to the trailhead along Guanella Pass can soothe a weary soul and take its breathe away at the same time! Once on the trail, the expansive pass greets ...
st marys glacier near idaho springs colorado header with snowcapped mountains in background

St. Mary’s Glacier near Idaho Springs, Colorado

The hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier ascends through a beautiful forest and ends with stunning panoramic views--the kind you expect from a perfect short hike in Colorado. If you walk around St. Mary's lake then hike up the glacier, you will gain incredible views of the Rocky Mountains to the west. It is a quick hike--1.5 miles round-trip if ...
St. Vrain Mountain Hike

St. Vrain Mountain Hike

The St. Vrain Mountain trail is just a 3-mile hike into Indian Peaks Wilderness to stunning views of the rocky peaks of Wild Basin. Hike up and additional 1.5 miles from the RMNP boundary to the summit of St. Vrain mountain for 360-degree panoramic views of a wildflower-laden wilderness. Explore the full St. Vrain Mountain hike profile below for trail ...
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Timberline Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

Timberline Falls is a demanding 8-mile round-trip waterfall hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail takes you past Alberta Falls up into beautiful Loch Vale. Beyond Timberline Falls hikers will find Lake of Glass, additional falls, and breathtaking Sky Pond. Glacier Gorge is the home to some of the best hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, and this waterfall ...
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Trio Falls Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park

Trio Falls is among the most stunning waterfalls that you will encounter in Rocky Mountain National Park, or in Colorado. But it comes at a price: A 15-mile round-trip, demanding hike. Because of this, the hike up to Trio Falls may best be part of an overnight camping trip in the park. Explore the full Trio Falls hike profile below ...
Whitmore Falls Near Lake City Colorado

Whitmore Falls Near Lake City Colorado

Whitmore Falls is a lesser-known waterfall deep in the mountains of Colorado. But, it is just a 1/10th of a mile hike from the pull-off along Engineer Pass Road. It's a great destination hike for those vacationing in the Lake City area and are looking to combine a scenic drive with a short waterfall hike. Explore the full Whitmore Falls ...