5 of the Best Hikes in Colorado Worth Every Step

Colorado has no shortage of incredible hikes but some stand out from the rest in ways that are hard to put into words until you are actually out there. These are five that I keep coming back to, recommending to others, and thinking about long after I got back to the trailhead. Some are well known, some are not, and all of them are worth the effort.

Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain National Park

Sky Pond is one of those hikes that rewards you at every stage. The trail passes through Glacier Gorge, past Alberta Falls and The Loch before reaching Timberline Falls, which you actually have to climb to reach the lake. That section is challenging and wet but completely worth it. At around 9 miles round trip with significant elevation gain this is not a casual walk, but the alpine lake sitting beneath Taylor Peak at the end is as dramatic as Colorado gets.

I woke up at 3am for this one. Drove to the trailhead while it was still dark and started hiking before sunrise. Hiking in the dark was actually not bad at all and the payoff was completely worth the alarm. Watching alpenglow hit the peaks above Sky Pond while barely anyone else was around is one of my favorite photography memories in Colorado. The sunrise shots I got that morning are some of the best I have taken in the state.

Note that Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry permits during peak season so check the park website before you go and plan accordingly.

Zirkel Circle Loop, Mt Zirkel Wilderness near Steamboat Springs

If you want a true backcountry Colorado experience without the crowds of the front range, the Zirkel Circle Loop in the Mt Zirkel Wilderness near Steamboat Springs delivers. This is a long one at around 12 miles and the terrain is genuinely demanding. The steepest switchback section comes at the very end of the loop which is a brutal finish after a full day on the trail, but the route passes multiple stunning alpine lakes including Gilpin Lake and Island Lake along the way.

I did this one chasing sunset photography and it delivered. Got some great shots as the light faded over the wilderness before hiking back out in the dark. This is the kind of place most Colorado hikers have never been to, which is exactly what makes it worth seeking out. The remoteness and solitude out here is something the more popular hikes simply cannot offer.

Gothic Mountain via Trail 403, Crested Butte

Crested Butte is known as the wildflower capital of Colorado and Trail 403 is one of the best ways to experience it. Even just a mile or two up the trail you are already surrounded by some of the most impressive wildflower displays in the state with Gothic Mountain and the surrounding peaks rising up behind them. This hike works for a range of fitness levels since the views start early and keep getting better the further you go.

One of my favorite details about this trail is a bench sitting right in the middle of the mountains with an open view across the valley. It sounds like a small thing but stopping there and just taking in the scale of the landscape around you is one of those moments that reminds you why you hike in the first place. Late season wildflowers were still going strong when I was there and the colors against the mountain backdrop were incredible.

Island Lake near Telluride

Island Lake sits in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride and it is one of the most photogenic alpine lakes in Colorado. The steep trail rewards you with crystal clear water surrounded by dramatic peaks that reflect perfectly on calm mornings. This one does get crowded especially on weekends and in the warmer summer months so timing matters.

I started hiking in the dark and the trail was completely quiet on the way up. By the time I was heading back down it had gotten busy. That early start made all the difference both for the experience and for photography. I did not quite make it to the lake in time for the full sunrise but the morning light was still incredible and the solitude on the way up was worth every early alarm.

A strong recommendation here is to pair Island Lake with Ice Lake as a loop. Both lakes are close enough to hit in the same day and the combined route is one of the best hikes in the entire state. Just be prepared for a steep and sustained climb to get up there.

Star Dune, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Star Dune is Colorado's most unique hike and it is unlike anything else in the state. You are climbing the tallest sand dune in North America, over 750 feet of pure sand with no marked trail and no shade. There is nothing quite like looking out across a sea of dunes from the summit and realizing you are still in Colorado.

This one was genuinely tough. The sand makes every step feel harder than it should and the lack of any visible trail means you are constantly second guessing yourself. There were multiple false summits where I thought I had reached the top only to crest a ridge and find more dune ahead. Even in shoulder season the heat was real and the sun was relentless with nowhere to hide from it.

But reaching the actual summit with my friends and finding nobody else up there was one of those rare moments that makes all the suffering worth it. We had the entire dune to ourselves. The views across the dune field and out to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains were completely surreal. Go early in the morning before the sand heats up and bring significantly more water than you think you need.

Final Thoughts

Colorado has enough incredible hikes to fill a lifetime of weekends. These five cover everything from iconic alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park to remote wilderness loops near Steamboat to the completely unique experience of climbing a massive sand dune in the southern part of the state. Each one has left a mark and I would do all of them again without hesitation.