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Best Hikes in Colorado: Most Unique Trails
September 1, 2021
Are you looking for the best hikes in Colorado?
Colorado is a true hiking destination, drawing people from all across the world to its stunning landscapes and diverse high mountain terrain. And you don’t have to be a mountaineer to see some absolutely breathtaking places. If you love to play outdoors, this is the state for you!
There are hikes for every single skill level, and you can design your experience based on what sort of environment you want to immerse yourself in.
You want mountains? Check! You want sand dunes! Check! You want forests? You could get lost in them for days out here! ... Please don’t though -- that’s just scary. In fact, here’s a great GPS Satellite Communicator we use to help keep that from happening.
You could live in Colorado your whole life and still not explore all there is to see here.
So to narrow down the best hiking in Colorado, we’ve created a list of some of the most unique trails to maximize your fun and sense of wanderlust. These trails are far from ordinary, and they’ll take you to some of the best places you’ve ever been.
Manitou Incline
A former cable car trail, the Manitou Incline is considered an “extreme trail”. There’s even a warning sign posted at its base! Just under 1 mile in length, you’ll climb 2,768 timber steps and 2,000 feet in elevation to get to the top. Thankfully, the view and the sense of accomplishment you’ll find will be well worth it.
Hike Intensity — Holy Crap Strenuous
3.8 miles | 1,922 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
Hikers can only go one way on this trail - UP!
There is a whole separate descent trail for this hike.
Good news is, there are now two bailout locations at railroad tie #395 and #1300 for those who want to quit early.
Admission — FREE
Parking — $1/hr at Hiawatha Gardens
2. Devil’s Head Fire Lookout Hike
While this trail is indeed closed for the rest of the 2021 season due to an ongoing construction project, this is definitely one for the Colorado hiking bucket list.
Constructed in 1907, Devil’s Head is the last of the original Front Range Fire Lookouts still in continuous use. Located in Pike National Forest, the tower sits at 9,748 feet and was the duty station for the first female fire lookout in the US.
Hike Intensity — SOLID WORKOUT
2.5 miles | 885 ft gain | Out & Back Trail
If you go during the winter months, the road leading to the tower will be closed, making for a longer hike.
Admission — FREE
Parking — FREE
3. Roxborough State Park - Fountain Valley Trail
Due to its close proximity to Denver, Roxborough State Park is an extremely popular hiking destination and is known for its red rock formations similar to those at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Garden of the Gods.
There are several amazing trails within Roxborough, but the Fountain Valley Loop is a perfect choice if you’re looking for an easy trail for all skill levels that is also amazingly picturesque. It’s also a great trail if this is your first time to the park and/or you have limited time.
Hike Intensity — PAINLESS
2.3 miles | 324 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
Roxborough is a Colorado State Park, and so there is an entry fee per vehicle. If you’re new to Colorado, it’s definitely worth it to buy the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Annual Pass. You can buy a $120 Family Annual Parks Pass, which is a hanging tag that you can share between vehicles. There’s also an $80 option where the pass is a sticker that affixes to your windshield.
Admission — $10 Daily Vehicle Pass
Parking — Free
4. Sky Pond - Rocky Mountain National Park
One of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most beautiful and popular hikes, Sky Pond is a unique trail featuring a strenuous scramble up a waterfall to achieve the full experience. The trailhead for Sky Pond is also the same starting point for several other extremely popular trails, making this a crowded trail at first. Hikers will pass Alberta Falls within the first mile and pass two more lakes, The Loch and Lake of Glass, before ascending to Sky Pond.
Hike Intensity: ASS-KICKER
9.4 miles | 1,758 ft elevation gain | Out & Back
Rocky Mountain National Park will require timed entry reservations to enter the park between May 28 and October 11, 2021. Parking at this trailhead goes fast! Plan for a 6 am arrival time if you want to park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. You can also park at the nearby Bear Lake Trailhead, which also joins up to the trail for Sky Pond.
If you can’t get a timed entry reservation, you’ll have to enter the park before 5 am.
Admission: $25 Day Pass Per Vehicle | $80 Interagency Annual Park Pass
Parking: FREE w/park entry fee
5. Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a Colorado hidden gem that even some lifelong natives haven’t heard of. The site is a popular draw for photographers, artists, and hikers, and it’s the kind of place that ignites instant curiosity the moment you lay eyes on it. Scrubby grassland drops into a color-rich canyon where you can wander among chalky pale rock formations ribboned with soft magenta and coppery orange bands.
There are 4 miles of hiking trails at Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Most of the trails in the main formations area are unmarked.
Hike Intensity — PAINLESS
Paint Mines Loop Trail — 3.4 miles | 334 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
DO NOT bring your dog. No pets of any kind are allowed in the park. I’ve read several reviews from bummed-out dog owners who didn’t know this before going.
If you want the shortest hike, park at the lot labeled "Overlook Parking." It’s hard to tell at first, but this is actually the most direct access to the formations.
Admission — Free
Parking — free
6. Black Canyon of the Gunnison Inner Canyon Trail
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Colorado’s least visited national park, making it a great option for quiet hikes and fewer crowds. It’s well worth the drive it takes to get here (5 hours from Denver), and it’s home to one of the coolest hiking experiences in the entire state!
Just like the Grand Canyon, most visitors see Black Canyon of the Gunnison from its upper rim. But for an amazing and unforgettable experience, we recommend hiking the Gunnison Route Trail, which allows hikers to descend into the canyon from the South Rim. You can even camp along the Gunnison River!
Hike Intensity — ASS-KICKER
1.8 miles | 1,781 ft elevation gain | Out & Back Trail
This route, which is mostly unmarked and challenging to follow, isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s steep, rocky, and there’s even a chain to assist hikers through one crazy downhill section.
You’ll also need a free wilderness permit to do it, which is on a first-come, first-served basis. These can be obtained during the summer season 1.5 hours before the closing of the South Rim Visitor’s Center the day before your trip. During the off-season, permits are available for same-day trips from a ranger or by self-registration.
Admission — $30 for a 7-Day Vehicle Pass | $80 for an Interagency Annual Pass
Parking — Free
7. Hanging Lake Trail
Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs, Colorado is one of the top hikes to visit in the state, and it’s definitely one for the bucket list.
This is a short but steep hike. Think 1,200-foot elevation gain in a heart-pumping 1.6-mile trek to the top. Once you’ve ascended a seemingly endless staircase of boulders, it’s an absolutely gorgeous experience arriving at this tourmaline-hued pool backdropped by hanging gardens and trickling waterfalls.
Trail Intensity — SOLID WORKOUT
3.1 miles | 1,187 ft elevation gain | Out & Back Trail
Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs, Colorado has become such a popular hike that a day pass is now required to visit the site. Permits are $10 per person and are booked in hourly arrival windows. If you’re traveling here during the summer months, you’ll need to look at booking these well in advance.
Day Use Permits — $10/person
Parking Free — Free
8. Breckenridge Troll - Trollstigen Trail
Created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, Isak Heartstone is a 15-foot tall troll sculpture that is the popular highlight of the short and sweet Trollstigen Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado. Due to its extreme popularity, Isak had to be relocated to better accommodate its regular influx of visitors.
This isn’t so much of a hike as it is a short walking trail, but there are options to make your hike longer by walking from downtown Breckenridge or exploring more of the South Illinois Creek Trail, which is 1.9 miles out and back.
Trail Intensity — Painless
1.0 miles | 121 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
There’s free public transportation to see the Breckenridge Troll, or you can simply take a 15-minute stroll from downtown Breckenridge.
Admission — FREE
Parking — Paid Parking at the Illinois Gulch Trailhead
9. Castlewood Canyon State Park - Castlewood Dam Ruins
At Castlewood Canyon State Park, hikers have several amazing trail options to choose from, including waterfall trails, cave trails, and some that take you to unique homestead ruins.
One of our favorite hikes within the park, and one of the most unique trails in all of Colorado, is to the Castlewood Dam ruins. The Castlewood Dam was a stone levee constructed in 1890 that eventually failed in 1933, sending a wall of water into downtown Denver 40 miles to the northwest. There are several viewpoints of the ruins to take in as the trail takes you both between its walls and to the top on one side.
Hike Intensity — Painless
Lake Gulch to Castlewood Canyon Dam Trail — 2.6 miles | 328 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
There are two separate entrances to Castlewood Canyon State Park, and there is no road that cuts between them. In other words, to get from one side of the park to the other, you have to exit the park and drive around to the other side. It’s that whole pesky canyon getting in the way I guess.
If you want to just see the Castlewood Dam Ruins, the quickest trail option is to park on the Westside Trailhead and take the Creek Bottom trail south toward the Dam Ruins, which is about a 15-minute hike each way.
If you want a slightly longer trail, enter in through the Main Park entrance and take Lake Culch Trail to Castlewood Canyon Dam.
You can buy a $120 Family Annual Parks Pass, which is a hanging tag that you can share between vehicles. There’s also an $80 option where the pass is a sticker that affixes to your windshield.
Admission — $10 Daily Vehicle Pass
Parking — FREE
10. Interlaken Trail - Twin Lakes
Want to hike to a Ghost Resort that once was one of Colorado’s most prominent luxury destinations? Interlaken was the place to be, long before Aspen was Aspen. Today it’s one of Colorado’s coolest trails and a real Colorado hidden gem.
Constructed in 1879 and developed by entrepreneur and mining investor James V. Dexter in the 1880s, it’s often referred to as “Colorado’s most beautiful resort in the late 19th Century." Today, it’s one of the most well-preserved collections of historic settlements in all of Colorado, and it’s free for visitors to wander out and visit on foot.
Trail Intensity — SOLID WORKOUT
Interlaken Trail - 4.6 miles | 213 ft elevation gain | Out & Back Trail
Travel between Twin Lakes and Aspen itself via Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, a high mountain road that winds to the summit of Independence Pass and crosses the Continental Divide at 12,905-feet, is limited between Memorial Day and late October as it’s closed from the onset of fall through mid-Spring.
11. St. Mary’s Glacier
Just a short drive from the gorgeous mountain town of Idaho Springs is St. Mary’s Glacier. The hike itself is relatively short, but it’s still pretty strenuous. Still, the trip is here more than worth it. After a steady ascent up a rocky path, hikers arrive at a beautiful alpine lake and a snow-capped hillside where you can even watch skiers and snowboarders slid down the side of a mountain… in July! Pretty cool indeed.
If you’re visiting Denver, this hike is just over an hour’s drive away, making it a perfect Colorado hiking trail to explore for first-timers who don’t have a ton of time to spend driving around.
Trail Intensity — Solid Workout
2.4 miles | 1,030 ft elevation gain | Out & Back Trail
Even in July when the temperatures in Denver can top 100 degrees Fahrenheit, St. Mary’s can be in the mid-50s. As is true for much of Colorado travel in the
St. Mary’s sits at 10,000+ feet in elevation. If you’re not used to this, prepare for a bit of a breathless start to your hike. Take breaks and make sure you drink plenty of water.
Admission — FREE
Parking — $5 Fee (Cash Only)
12. High and Star Dune Loop - Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the highest dunes in North America, and it’s also one of the most unique places to hike in Colorado.
Ever been on a night hike? Well, this is the place! Great Sand Dunes is also an International Dark Sky Park and has very little light pollution, making it a great place to see and photograph stars. On a cloudless night, it’s very easy to see the Milky Way Galaxy. And many come here to also scan the sky for signs of life outside of our solar system. Yep, you read that right - aliens! There’s even a UFO Watchtower dedicated to it right down the road, a perfect side trip before your night hike!
Hike Intensity: Ass-kicker
High and Star Dune Loop - 8.0 miles | 1,309 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
Hiking at Great Sand Dunes is a breath-sucking trek that’s easy to underestimate. The elevation inside the park varies greatly. 7,250 feet is the approximate lowest elevation point, climbing to a high of around 13,604 feet above sea level. Unless you’re well-adjusted to high-altitude hiking, prepare for a slow-going ascent.
There are endless ways to climb the dunes. For those wanting a designated trail to follow, this is where it gets tricky. None of them are marked. But unlike wooded mountain trails, there’s pretty much zero chance of getting lost as there are no trees or other obstructions to block your view. And if you’re hiking at night, the lights from the parking lot will help keep you oriented.
Admission — $30 for a 7-Day Vehicle Pass | $80 for an Interagency Annual Pass
Parking — Free
13. Vindicator Valley Trail - Victor, Colorado
This is the perfect Colorado trail if you love exploring abandoned structures, ghost towns, or have an interest in history. The hike itself is a gravel trail and wanders between several old mines and relics left behind from Colorado’s Gold Rush era.
If you want to stay at one of Colorado’s most unique vacation rentals, overnight at The Black Monarch in nearby Victor, a former brothel and casino that’s rumored to be haunted.
Hike Intensity - Painless
2.1 miles | 341 ft elevation gain | Loop Trail
This trail can get a bit spooky if you’re by yourself, especially if it’s a windy day as the gusts of air create all sorts of strange sounds in the still-standing mining towers. Bring a friend. Also, it’s not a bad idea to bring bear spray as there are indeed mountain lions and black bears in the area.
Admission —Free
Parking — Free
14. The grottos Trail - ASpen
Located near Aspen, Colorado, this short and easy trail takes visitors through unique rock formations formed deep in the Earth’s crust 1.7 billion years ago and shaped by ice. This is a must-see hike if you’re anywhere close to Aspen, and it takes hardly any time to go see.
Intensity - Painless
0.6 miles | 29 feet elevation gain | Loop Trail
This is a great trail to pair with Interlaken and Twin Lakes, another amazing Colorado hike higher up on this list. It’s also worth driving up Independence Pass to see the Continental Divide if you’re traveling during the Summer season.
15. Crystal Mill
Crystal Mill is one of Colorado’s most photographed locations. Perched on a ledge above the Crystal River, the mill and surrounding area have attracted artists and nature lovers to its remote and serene location for decades.
As iconic as this Colorado sight is, it’s difficult to get to if you don’t have an offroad dirt quad or other ATV. Even some high-clearance SUVs will get stuck on this road.
Trail Intensity - Solid Workout
6.3 miles | 1,417ft elevation gain | Out & Back
The views of the mill are limited. To get a better view, you’ll need to pay a fee and sign a waiver with Crystal Mountain Ranch. They also have cabins and camping available on site.
Admission - $10 for up-close access
Parking - Free
More cool places in Colorado
MESA VERDE CLIFF DWELLINGS GUIDE
Explore our guide on how to see the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park and other unique things to do at this beautiful Colorado destination.
THE SASQUATCH OUTPOST
One of Colorado’s most curious attractions is a museum in the quiet mountain town of Bailey devoted entirely to Bigfoot lore.
THE BALDPATE INN KEY COLLECTION
Explore the famous Baldpate Inn Key Collection, the largest collection of keys in the world, now open for the season in Estes Park, Colorado.
Unique Colorado Vacation Rentals
Check out Colorado’s most unusual places to stay for a unique and memorable trip experience.
our favorite travel tech
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Image Credits:
Hanging Lake - Nick - stock.adobe.com; Manitou Incline - Arina Photography/arinahabich - stock.adobe.com; Devil’s Head Fire Lookout - Casey Reynolds/https://www.flickr.com/photos/85974714@N07/9681807863; Roxborough State Park - ipivorje - stock.adobe.com; Sky Pond - Keith Burton/https://www.flickr.com/photos/kbphoto/20773346323; Paint Mines Interpretive Park - ipivorje - stock.adobe.com; Black Canyon of the Gunnison Inner Canyon - Ron - stock.adobe.com; Hanging Lake - Andy Konieczny/Focqus, LLC - stock.adobe.com; Breckenridge Troll - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Castlewood Canyon State Park - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Interlaken Trail - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; St. Mary’s - Jacob - stock.adobe.com; Star Dune at Great Sand Dunes National Park - Michelle Holihan/mtnmichelle - stock.adobe.com; Vindicator Valley Trail - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Ouzel Falls Trail - Kari - stock.adobe.com; Crystal Mill - Joe Sohm/spiritofamerica - stock.adobe.com; Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings - Joseph Sohm/spiritofamerica - stock.adobe.com; The Sasquatch Outpost - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; The Baldpate Inn - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Colorado’s Most Unique Vacation Rentals - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Nomad Goods product images courtesy of Nomad Goods; Trail Ridge Road - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; for Pin Image Credits, click on the respective Pinterest Pin