Day Hiking - Explore Colorado
Day hiking is one of the most popular summer activities in Colorado. Whether you are looking for an easy-to-access trail to take the kids for a short jaunt or are interested in a multi-day adventure across an entire mountain range, we have the guide to get you out there and make the most of your Colorado vacation.
Getting Ready for Day Hiking
While hiking is as simple as putting one foot in front of another, the devil, as they say, is in the details. To get the most out of your hiking adventures, it pays to be prepared.
Invaluable Tips for Day Hiking
- Getting Ready: learn what to bring and how to prepare for hiking.
- Basic knowledge is always good to review.
- What kind of hiker are you? Explore suggested hikes for different types of hikers.
- Basic trail etiquette is important to know for the sake of other trail users, yourself, and nature.
- Dress for the weather. No matter what time of year you venture out, it is good to be prepared for unexpected changes.
Acclimating to Higher Elevations
For anyone coming from lower elevations, keep in mind the time required to acclimate to altitude and know the warning signs of altitude sickness, as well as other altitude-related issues that can occur at elevations over 7000 feet.
Scenic Day Hiking
Colorado's mountains have many scenic wonders to enjoy on foot. Our list of top day hikes is a guide to breathtaking views and unique mountain terrain.
Area-specific guides to great day hikes, such as:
- A list of hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
- A guide to hiking around Denver
- Spectacular day hikes around Ouray
- Hikes to scenic waterfalls or mountain lakes are always a popular option,
- Those with kids or just looking for something a little less strenuous should consider our 8 family-friendly hikes.
The wildflower season in Colorado stretches from April into September, with various flowers blooming at different times. Try these wildflower hikes to take in the natural splendor during spring and summer; just remember to bring mosquito repellent, since peak wildflower season often overlaps with peak mosquito season.
Winter Day Hiking
Winter doesn't have to mean that you have to give up on hiking. Consider renting or borrowing a pair of snowshoes if you don't own a pair, and give these 5 fantastic winter hikes a try. The air may be cold, and the wildflowers are gone, but so are the mosquitoes. Winter is an excellent time to enjoy a hike.
Hiking Fourteeners
Colorado has 53 distinct mountains with elevations over 14,000 feet. The popular term for these high-elevation peaks is "Fourteeners" or "14ers". Whether you are interested in summiting your first fourteener or you intend to cross off all 53 summits from your to-do list, they represent a strong challenge in terms of fitness, preparation, and extreme elevation. While the summits of many of these peaks can be reached in a day, it is often an all-day adventure that usually starts before dawn to reach the summit before the afternoon weather chases everyone off the peak.
Both Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evens) and Pikes Peak are fourteeners with paved roads leading all the way up to their summits. Both roads require a fee and are open seasonally, but they provide access to the high country for those who aren't prepared to climb on foot. Pikes Peak also has a cog railway to the summit, which is a very scenic and unique way to reach the visitors' center at the top of the mountain.
Day Hike a Fourteener
If you are looking to hike to the top of a fourteener, you can start with our beginner's guide to hiking a fourteener, review our list of Colorado's most scenic fourteeners, and consider the peak-bagging adventure of climbing two fourteeners in one day. For a full list and map of all of Colorado's peaks over 14,000 feet, see here.
Consider Hiking a 13er
If you are looking for something with a little less elevation and fewer fellow hikers, consider climbing a 13er. With over 600 peaks over 13 thousand feet in Colorado, there is a tremendous selection of summits all over the state to explore.
Backpacking
There's nothing that can put you in touch with nature like an extended backpacking trip in the mountains. Whether you are interested in a simple overnight trip or preparing for an extended multi-day adventure, backpacking is a way to make great memories that will last a lifetime. Check out our introduction to backpacking for the tips and tricks that everyone needs to know before wandering off into the mountains.
