Hard & Expert Hikes in Colorado
14ers, long backcountry days, and routes that demand respect. These are the trails that turn into Type II fun if you misjudge the weather or forget to drink water above treeline.
49 trails in our directory.
Mount Elbert
Colorado's highest peak offers a challenging but non-technical climb with incredible panoramic views. The standard East Ridge route is the most popular approach.
Blue Lakes Trail
Three stunning alpine lakes nestled in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness beneath 14er Mount Sneffels and neighboring 13ers Dallas Peak and Gilpin Peak. One of Colorado's most scenic high-alpine destinations.
Manitou Incline
One of Colorado's most famous workouts. Roughly 2,768 railroad-tie steps gain 2,000 feet in under a mile on the old cable railway bed. A free online reservation is required year-round. Descend via Barr Trail to complete the loop.
Quandary Peak
One of Colorado's most popular 14ers with well-maintained trails and stunning views of the Continental Divide. The East Ridge route is straightforward but demanding.
Chasm Lake
A challenging hike to a pristine alpine lake beneath the dramatic east face of Longs Peak. The lake sits in a spectacular cirque surrounded by towering granite walls.
Grays and Torreys Peaks
A challenging double-peak 14er adventure offering two summits in one day. The trail features alpine terrain with stunning Continental Divide views.
Crater Lake Trail
A challenging hike through aspen groves and alpine meadows to a pristine cirque lake surrounded by dramatic peaks in the Maroon Bells wilderness.
Mount Bierstadt
One of Colorado's most accessible 14ers with a well-defined trail through beautiful alpine terrain. Popular choice for first-time peak baggers.
Columbine Lake Trail
A challenging wilderness hike to a remote alpine lake beneath dramatic peaks with pristine wilderness settings and stunning mountain views.
Four Pass Loop
Colorado's premier backpacking route crosses four mountain passes above 12,000 feet through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. A 3-4 day trek with stunning wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and panoramic views of the Elk Mountains.
Conundrum Hot Springs
A long but rewarding trail to one of Colorado's most famous natural hot springs at 11,200 feet. The route follows Conundrum Creek through forests and meadows in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Permit required for overnight stays.
Cathedral Lake Trail
A steep climb through Pine Creek canyon to a gorgeous alpine lake at nearly 12,000 feet in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Forests give way to meadows and wildflowers before reaching the dramatic lake basin below Electric Pass.
American Lake Trail
A steep switchback climb through aspen groves and spruce forests to a pristine alpine lake at 11,365 feet. Meadows ablaze with wildflowers from mid-July to mid-August and a waterfall near the lake make this a rewarding destination.
Pitkin Lake Trail
A challenging hike in the Eagles Nest Wilderness climbing nearly 3,000 feet to a stunning alpine lake. The trail offers dazzling views of East Vail and the surrounding peaks, with the final approach through open alpine terrain.
Gore Lake Trail
A long and rewarding hike through the Eagles Nest Wilderness to a remote alpine lake beneath the dramatic Gore Range. Stunning fall colors, rocky terrain, and wildlife sightings make this a Vail-area classic for experienced hikers.
Notch Mountain Trail
Climb to the summit of Notch Mountain in the Holy Cross Wilderness for one of Colorado's most iconic views: the cross-shaped snow couloir on Mount of the Holy Cross. A historic stone shelter sits at the top.
Willow Lake Trail
A steep, challenging trail in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness climbing through a gulch into alpine meadows before reaching secluded Willow Lake. The trail passes near Buckskin Pass with views of the surrounding peaks.
Anthracite Pass Trail
A short but very steep trail through the Raggeds Wilderness climbing to a mountain pass with beautiful views of surrounding peaks. Passes through aspen groves, pine forests, and open meadows with great wildflower displays.
Devils Causeway Trail
Famous ridge traverse in the Flat Tops Wilderness. The Causeway is a 4-foot-wide rocky knife-edge ridge with dramatic exposure on both sides. From the Stillwater Reservoir Trailhead, climb to the ridge and traverse the narrow section. Vertigo-inducing for some.
Gilpin Lake Trail
Premier Mount Zirkel Wilderness loop combining Gilpin Lake, Gold Creek Lake, and Mica Basin. The lakes are dramatic alpine destinations with the Sawtooth Range looming above. Backpack-friendly with multiple camp sites.
Mount Zirkel Trail
Summit climb to Mount Zirkel (12,180 ft), the high point of the Park Range. From the Slavonia Trailhead, climb past Gilpin Lake, then up to the summit. Real backcountry day requiring acclimatization and full preparation.
Wheeler Trail
Point-to-point crossing of the Tenmile Range between the Spruce Creek valley south of Breckenridge and Copper Mountain, over a 12,450-foot saddle on the old Wheeler stock driveway. Miles above treeline with the whole range in view. Best as a point-to-point using the free Summit Stage bus for the shuttle.
Lake Constantine Trail
From the Half Moon Trailhead near the Mount of the Holy Cross, climb to Lake Constantine. The lake sits at 11,400 feet below Notch Mountain. Famous alpine lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness.
Buffalo Mountain Trail
Steep climb from Lily Pad Lake area to the summit of Buffalo Mountain at 12,777 feet. The Gore Range's most accessible big summit, with full panorama of Lake Dillon, the Tenmile Range, and the Gore Range itself.
Engineer Mountain Trail
Steep climb from Coal Bank Pass on Highway 550 to the summit of Engineer Mountain. Wildflowers in July, distinctive layered rock formations near the top, and full San Juan panorama from the summit.
Imogene Pass Trail
Famous Imogene Pass connects Ouray and Telluride at 13,114 feet. Most use it as a 4WD road, but hikers and runners do it as a brutal mountain pass crossing. The Imogene Pass Run is held here every September.
Bear Peak Trail
Steep Boulder summit climb via Fern Canyon or West Ridge. Summit views span the entire Boulder Valley and out to the plains. Local conditioning hike for Front Range mountaineers.
South Boulder Peak Trail
Boulder's highest summit at 8,549 feet. The Shadow Canyon route is the most direct but steep on loose talus. Often combined with Bear Peak for a two-summit day.
Green Mountain Trail (Boulder)
Steep summit hike from Gregory Canyon Trailhead to the top of Green Mountain. Multiple route options (Saddle Rock, Gregory Canyon, EM Greenman). Summit views over the Flatirons and Indian Peaks.
Crosier Mountain Trail
Steep climb to a forested summit between Estes Park and the plains. The summit has views back to Longs Peak and the Mummy Range. Quiet alternative to RMNP destinations.
Mount Morrison Trail
Steep summit hike from Red Rocks Park to the top of Mount Morrison. Short but unrelenting climb, with views over Red Rocks Amphitheater and Denver. Brutal training hike for fitness.
Barr Trail
The classic 13-mile foot-trail from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak. Climbs through ponderosa forest, past Barr Camp at the midpoint (a popular overnight stop), into the high alpine, and up to the 14,115-foot summit. The longest standard-route 14er trail in Colorado.
Arapaho Pass Trail
Steep climb from the Fourth of July Trailhead to Arapaho Pass on the Continental Divide. Wildflowers in July, lingering snow into August, and big views down to Lake Granby on the west side. Connects to Caribou Lake and Diamond Lake for longer days.
Crystal Peak Trail
Climb a high 13er in the Tenmile Range from the Spruce Creek Trailhead. Trail goes past Mohawk and Mayflower Lakes before turning up the south slopes to the summit. Excellent acclimatization climb for those preparing for 14ers.
Greyrock Mountain Trail
A challenging climb up to the granite dome of Greyrock in the Cache la Poudre canyon. The final scramble to the summit lake rewards with one of the best views in northern Colorado.
Mount Massive (East Slopes)
Colorado's second-highest peak via the Colorado Trail approach from the Mount Massive Trailhead. Long, sustained climb through forest to alpine tundra and a broad summit ridge. Less crowded than Elbert across the valley.
Mount Harvard (South Slopes)
Third-highest peak in Colorado via the long but non-technical North Cottonwood Creek approach. Often combined with Mount Columbia for a brutal double-summit traverse. Plan for a 10+ hour day.
Mount Yale (Southwest Slopes)
Popular Collegiate Peak with a steep but straightforward Class 2 standard route from the Denny Creek Trailhead. The summit views span the Arkansas Valley and the rest of the Collegiate Peaks.
Mount Princeton (East Slopes)
Class 2 route that starts on a rough 4WD road. High-clearance vehicles can drive partway, otherwise add 6 miles of road walking. The upper mountain is a wide, talus-covered ridge.
La Plata Peak (Northwest Ridge)
Colorado's 5th highest peak with a Class 2 standard route from the South Fork Lake Creek Trailhead. Steep, sustained climb on a well-defined trail. One of the most accessible Sawatch 14ers.
Missouri Mountain (Northwest Ridge)
Class 2 route from Missouri Gulch with a narrow but non-technical summit ridge. Often combined with Belford and Oxford for a triple 14er day from the same trailhead.
Mount Antero (West Slopes)
Famous for aquamarine mining at high elevation. Long approach via 4WD road, then steep alpine route. High-clearance vehicles can shorten the day significantly.
Mount Shavano and Tabeguache Peak
Class 2 double 14er from Blank Gulch Trailhead. Shavano comes first; Tabeguache requires a 500-foot drop and re-climb. The Angel of Shavano snow couloir is visible from town in spring.
Mount of the Holy Cross (North Ridge)
Named for the cross-shaped snow couloir visible in spring. Standard route crosses Half Moon Pass (twice: once on the way in, once on the way out), making this one of the harder 14er days for the distance.
Crestone Peak (South Face)
One of Colorado's toughest 14ers. Class 3 South Face route from South Colony Lakes. Solid conglomerate rock, real exposure, and a long approach. Helmet required.
Crestone Needle (South Face)
Famous Class 3 line up the south face from Broken Hand Pass. Tight gully route requires solid scrambling skill and helmet. Pair with Crestone Peak for the classic traverse.
Humboldt Peak (West Ridge)
Easiest 14er in the Sangres at Class 2. Standard route from South Colony Lakes basin, with stunning views of the Crestones across the cirque. Solid first 14er in the range.
Kit Carson Peak and Challenger Point
Two 14ers in one long day via the West Ridge from Willow Lake. Challenger Point first, then a tricky route-finding section called the Avenue to reach Kit Carson. Class 3.
Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point
Two 14ers in the Blanca Massif. Lake Como Road is one of the roughest 4WD approaches in Colorado; most hikers start lower and add miles. Class 2 once on the peaks.