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.
14 trails in our directory.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.