5 Colorado Trails Every Hiker Will Love

Although I was born in the States, I haven’t traveled much of my own country enough to offer as many resources as I’d like. So, I asked Allie from The Hoppy Passport to share her expertise and insights on the top 5 hiking trails in the beautiful state of Colorado.

Colorado is an absolute dream for nature lovers. The Centennial state features magnificent mountains, wondrous red rock formations, and rapid rivers. The mountains, rivers, and various rock formations provide the most epic views while hiking.

Hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in Colorado. You simply cannot visit Colorado without participating in a hike or two. Colorado has plenty of trails for every type of hiker- whether you’re a beginner or a complete pro! 

Choosing the right hike can be a difficult task because there are literally thousands of trails all over the state. Be sure to pick a trail that is suited for your level of difficulty; be mindful of the mileage and the elevation gain. 

These are the 5 tried-and-true trails that every hiker will love: 

Garden of the Gods Park 

Garden of the Gods park is a National Natural Landmark located in Colorado Springs, CO. The park features 300’ rock sandstone formations and breathtaking views of Pikes Peak. Garden of the Gods is a popular, year-round hiking spot. It’s perfect for families, solo visitors, and everyone in between. 

Visitors can use the main parking lot to access the heart of the Park, or any of the other free lots to reach the smaller trailheads. Parking is plentiful, but be sure to arrive early to avoid large crowds on the trails. There are a few different gift shops, restaurants, and restrooms spread out through the park for your convenience. 

There are 21 miles of unique trails at Garden of the Gods Park. The most popular trail is the Perkins Central Garden Trail. This trail is an easy 1 ½ mile loop with less than 30 feet of elevation gain. This beginner path is in the center of the Park and is at the base of the highest rock formations. 

Another popular trail is the Siamese Twins Trail. This ½ mile loop takes you up 100 feet and gives you the best view of the Park and Pikes Peak. Pack a lunch and spend time hiking various trails to find your favorite spot in the park. 

Rock climbing is another popular activity at Garden of the Gods Park. You can climb the rock formations if you get a special permit. Not into hiking or rock climbing? There are a few paved roads that cut through the park, making it an easy and scenic drive. 

Chief Mountain

Chief Mountain is a gorgeous trail located in the Arapaho National Forest, in Evergreen, CO. This hike boasts epic views and incredible scenery. Evergreen is about 60 minutes from Denver, making this hike an easy day trip from the city. 

Parking is free, but extremely limited. The parking is located on the shoulder of the road near the trailhead. You’ll want to arrive early to secure a parking space and to avoid large crowds on the trail. 

This trail is best used in the warmer months, but is also popular during the snow season for snowshoeing. If you are visiting during the winter, be sure to bring proper winter apparel and gear. Spikes and hiking boots are recommended between October-May. 

This 3 mile hike is a heavily-trafficked trail with epic views of the Rockies at the summit. The elevation gain is 961 feet; be sure to acclimate to the higher altitude before starting this trail. This hike is quite smooth, but you can do a small amount of rock scrambling at the top if you want the most breathtaking views. 

The summit at Chief Mountain is the perfect place for a picnic with your hiking buddies. You could sit there for hours and enjoy the view. Be sure to pack a light windbreaker because the wind can be quite intense at the top. 

St. Mary’s Glacier

St. Mary’s Glacier is a fantastic trail located in Idaho Springs, CO. Idaho Springs is about 45-60 minutes from Denver. This trail features a forest, a lake, a beach, a glacier, a wildflower field, and insane mountain views! St. Mary’s Glacier trail is the perfect hikel if you’re looking for a variety of nature scenes. 

Parking at St. Mary’s Glacier is $5, cash only. You must bring $5 (per car) and a pen with you when visiting St. Mary’s Glacier. This parking lot is the parking available near the trailhead. The parking lot becomes full very quickly- like 7am on weekends. The parking lot does have restrooms for your convenience. 

This trail is used year-round. Be sure to wear tennis shoes or hiking boots because the path is rocky; we do not recommend wearing sandals. Spikes and hiking boots are a good idea during snow season. 

This 1.9 mile trail is an easy-moderate hike with a super rocky path. The elevation gain comes quickly at 807 feet. Beginners will struggle with the quick elevation gain, so be sure to stop for water breaks and to enjoy the forest views. 

St. Mary’s Glacier is home to various activities: hiking, cliff jumping, swimming in the icy lake, sunbathing on the beach, glacier skiing, and frolicking through the wildflower views. Pack a lunch because you’ll want to stay and hang out for a few hours. The lake is freezing cold, but makes for the best refreshing dip after a sweaty hike. 

Red Rocks Trading Post Trail

Red Rocks Trading Post Trail is located in the Red Rocks Park, just down the road from the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Red Rocks Trading Post Trail is a great trail on your way back from visiting the amphitheatre. Red Rocks Park is located in Morrison, CO. 

There is a free parking lot available at the Trading Post trailhead. It does get quite busy, so be sure to arrive early. The parking lot is used for the Trading Post store and the trailhead. 

Red Rocks Trading Post Trail can be used year-round. Bring extra sunscreen for this hike because there is not a lot of shade on the trail. Dogs are welcome. This trail is accessible for those visiting Denver, it’s about 30 minutes away, and totally doable by Uber/Lyft!

The trail is an easy 1.5 mile loop. This trail is perfect for families and brand new hikers. The terrain can be difficult if it’s too dry or too wet- sand and mud are both super slippery surfaces. The trail is narrow in many spots; be courteous and conscious of other hikers on the path. 

Red Rocks Trading Post Trail features 10 spectacular red rock formations throughout the trail. This trail isn’t totally flat- there are a few steep stairs and uphill, windy paths. This hike is perfect on its own, or can be paired with another hike in the Red Rocks Park. 

Chautauqua Park 

Chautauqua Park is located in Boulder, CO. Chautauqua Park is a gorgeous park that features trailheads to several awesome Boulder hikes. You can easily pair several Chautauqua trails together to create a full day of hiking,

There is a parking lot available at Chautauqua Park. The parking lot fills up quickly, but there is additional parking on Baseline Road (the main road that leads to the Park) and on the side streets that surround the Park. If you have any questions or safety concerns, there is usually a ranger stationed in the entrance of the Park.

Chautauqua Park can be used year-round, but gets very icy in the snowy months. Be careful; the trails are very dangerous when icy. There are trails that feature flat loops, incredibly steep climbs, and everything in between. Leashed dogs are welcome. 

Chautauqua Park features over 40 miles of trails. These trails go into the Flatirons and different canyons. You can see Boulder, Denver, and the Rocky Mountains from many summits in the Park. The most recommended trails are: Chautauqua Loop Trail, Bear Canyon Hike, Enchanted Mesa Trail, First and Second Flatirons, Mallory Cave Hike, Mesa Trail, and Royal Arch Trail. 

Chautauqua Park is a great option for hiking because it’s so easy to access. You can spend an hour or several trying out new trails in the Park. You really can’t go wrong when choosing trails in this scenic area of Colorado. 

Colorado is known for its hiking, and for good reasons. Choosing a trail can be difficult because there are so many fantastic options, but don’t let that stop you from getting out there and enjoying the incredible nature that Colorado has to offer. Hiking is the perfect outdoor activity because it can be done year-round, especially because Colorado tends to have a lot of mild days in the winter. 

What’s your favorite hike in Colorado?

Author Bio

Hi, I’m Allie! I’m a travel enthusiast, craft beer connoisseur, and creator of The Hoppy Passport. 

The Hoppy Passport is a website designed to teach you how to be an efficient traveler and an explorative beer drinker. 

Whether you’re hopping around neighborhoods or traveling the world, The Hoppy Passport will bring you the best brewery guides, travel tips and beyond to ensure you stay well-traveled and inspired to indulge in the ever-developing international craft beer scene. 

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Cheers!