Best Winter Hikes in Colorado
Winter hiking in Colorado is its own discipline — microspikes, layered insulation, and short daylight windows. These trails stay accessible, whether you're walking dry desert routes or snowshoeing through aspen groves.
27 trails in our directory.
Manitou Incline
An extreme workout on the old railway bed with railroad ties creating natural steps. Reservations required for this bucket-list Colorado challenge.
Perkins Central Garden Trail
The paved 1.1-mile loop at the heart of Garden of the Gods. Wheelchair and stroller accessible, with the closest views of the Cathedral Spires, Three Graces, and Sleeping Giant formations.
Flatirons Vista Trail
A gentle trail through grasslands and scrub oak with outstanding views of the iconic Flatirons rock formations and Boulder valley below.
Rabbit Ears Pass Trail
Moderate hike from Dumont Lake to the distinctive rabbit-ear-shaped rock formations on the summit of Rabbit Ears Peak. Wildflower meadows in summer, aspen color in late September, and one of the most photographed peaks along the Continental Divide.
Roxborough State Park Fountain Valley Trail
A scenic loop through dramatic red rock formations and native grasslands with views of the distinctive hogback ridges and Front Range foothills.
Castlewood Canyon Dam Ruins Trail
An easy walk to historic dam ruins through a scenic sandstone canyon with Cherry Creek flowing through diverse riparian and prairie ecosystems.
Bierstadt Lake Trail
Short but steep switchbacks climb to Bierstadt Lake, a quiet forested lake with classic reflection views of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide. The lake is busier in winter for snowshoers than in summer.
Frisco Peninsula Trail
Paved loop trail around the Frisco Peninsula on Lake Dillon. Flat, accessible, family-friendly. Marina access midway around the loop. Excellent winter cross-country skiing route when snow-covered.
Mount Sanitas Trail
The most popular Boulder trail. Steep climb up Mount Sanitas with city views the whole way, then a faster descent on the East Ridge Trail. Reliably crowded mornings and evenings.
Mount Galbraith Loop
Loop around a foothills peak above Golden with Front Range and Denver views from the upper sections. Wildflowers in spring, less crowded than the more famous JeffCo Open Space trails.
Marshall Mesa Trail
Flat-to-rolling mesa loop on the south side of Boulder. Great for spring wildflowers, family hikes, or quick after-work miles. Coal mining history along the route.
Coyote Ridge Trail
Larimer County Natural Resources trail with rolling foothills terrain and views of the Mummy Range. Good wildlife viewing for deer and the occasional coyote. Flat for the first mile, then climbs gently.
Devils Backbone Trail
Larimer County natural area with iconic rock formation hiking. The 'Keyhole' is the photo destination — a window through the sandstone formation. Family-friendly with stroller access on the lower section.
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.
Lichen Loop
Short, kid-friendly loop near Boulder's Heil Valley Ranch. Stroller-accessible on the lower section. Perfect first-hike-with-toddlers option.
Siamese Twins Trail
A short loop in the southern half of Garden of the Gods to the Siamese Twins, twin sandstone columns with a natural window that frames Pikes Peak when conditions are right. Crowded at sunrise and sunset for the photo.
Mount Cutler Trail
Short popular trail in North Cheyenne Cañon Park with views down into the Seven Falls area and across Colorado Springs to the plains. Local favorite for a quick after-work hike or sunset spot.
Animas River Trail
Paved riverside trail running 7 miles through downtown Durango. Used by locals for commuting, dog walks, and casual jogs. Connects multiple parks and the historic train depot. The Durango Tour de Force runs on this trail.
Animas Overlook Trail
Short paved loop above Durango with sweeping views of the Animas River valley, downtown Durango, and the San Juan Mountains. Wheelchair accessible. Interpretive signs along the route.
Mount Falcon Park Castle Trail
A loop hike through Denver Mountain Parks land with views of Red Rocks, the Front Range, and the Denver skyline. The ruins of John Brisben Walker's stone castle anchor the upper section.
North Table Mountain Loop
A flat-topped mesa hike with sweeping Front Range views, raptor sightings in spring, and one of the best Denver-area sunset viewpoints. Wide gravel roads make it stroller and bike friendly.
Lookout Mountain Nature Center Loop
Short forested loop near the Buffalo Bill grave, with city views from the visitor center deck. Good intro hike for kids and visiting family, or a quick lunch loop from downtown Denver.
Animas Mountain Trail
Loop up the mountain that frames Durango on the north side. Views down into the Animas Valley, west to Mesa Verde, and east toward the Weminuche Wilderness. The local after-work classic.
Doc Holliday Trail
Short uphill walk to Pioneer Cemetery, where Doc Holliday is buried. Views over Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley. Free, family-friendly, year-round.
Boy Scout Trail
Local favorite uphill grind that ends at a viewpoint over Glenwood Springs and the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork. Steep but short.
P-S Loop at Philip S. Miller Park
Castle Rock's flagship trail system at Philip S. Miller Park. The full perimeter loop includes the famed 200-step Challenge Hill at the center of the park.
Ridgeline Trail at Castle Rock
Wide gravel loop on the ridge west of downtown Castle Rock. Open prairie and pine, views east to the Palmer Divide. Popular with runners and dog walkers.