Challenging
Trails
Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park
Compare distance, typical time, difficulty, and trail details.
Moderate
Emerald Lake Trail
Three alpine lakes and dramatic peaks in a short, rewarding climb
Moderate
Glacier Gorge Trail
Waterfalls to alpine lakes, with choose-your-own-adventure finales
Challenging
Flattop Mountain Trail
Steady climb to the Continental Divide with huge alpine views
Challenging
Lake of Glass via Glacier Gorge
Waterfall scramble to a mirrored alpine lake, with Sky Pond tease
Challenging
Sky Pond
Waterfalls, a slick scramble, and alpine lakes capped by spires
Easy
Dream Lake
Short, scenic climb to a glassy alpine lake with big payoff
Moderate
Lake Haiyaha Trail
Milky‑turquoise alpine lake with a short boulder scramble finale
Moderate
Mills Lake
Waterfall to lake with giant cirque views.
Challenging
Chasm Lake Trail
A burly climb to Longs Peak’s jaw dropping alpine cirque
Challenging
Andrews Tarn
Strenuous alpine push to a glacier-fed tarn above The Loch
Challenging
Mount Ida
A high-alpine divide walk with nonstop views and a bouldery finale
Challenging
Black Lake
Waterfalls to a wild cirque and a moody alpine lake
Challenging
Longs Peak Keyhole Route
Colorado's classic fourteener—exposed, serious, and wildly rewarding.
Challenging
North Inlet Trail
West-side gem to waterfalls and high lakes with frequent moose
Moderate
The Loch (Loch Vale)
Waterfalls to a wind-swept alpine lake with big glacier views
Challenging
Lake Nanita
Long, rewarding push to two pristine alpine lakes via waterfalls
Moderate
Wild Basin Trail
Waterfalls now, alpine lakes later—pick your payoff on one corridor
Challenging
Chapin–Chiquita–Ypsilon (CCY)
Triple-summit ridge walk with big tundra views and real weather.
Challenging
Ypsilon Mountain
Alpine ridge linkup to a 13er with big cirque and lake views
Challenging
Odessa Lake
Forested climb to a dramatic alpine lake beneath Notchtop’s cliffs
Moderate
Ouzel Lake
Waterfalls to solitude: a rewarding push to a quiet alpine lake.
Challenging
Bluebird Lake
Waterfalls to alpine cirque, with a feisty finish to the shore
Challenging
Crystal Lakes
Big alpine payoff above Lawn Lake for those willing to go long
Challenging
East Inlet Trail
West side chain of lakes with moosey meadows and a real workout
Easy
Sprague Lake Loop
Flat lakeside loop with Divide reflections and frequent wildlife
Easy
Tundra Communities Trail
Short, high-alpine stroll to mushroom rocks and 360-degree views
Moderate
Ouzel Falls
Waterfall trio through shaded Wild Basin to a misty 40 foot finale
Moderate
Lake Helene
Subalpine tarn with big cirque views and a sneaky unmarked spur
Moderate
Old Ute Trail
High tundra traverse with Never Summer views and serious weather.
Moderate
Sandbeach Lake
A steady climb to a rare alpine lake with a true sandy shore.
Challenging
Lumpy Ridge Trail
Granite playground circling Gem Lake with big Longs Peak views
Challenging
Lion Lake No. 1
Waterfalls-to-cirque grind to a wild, high lake below Mt. Alice
Challenging
Spirit Lake
Long, rewarding push through meadows to a dramatic alpine lake chain
Challenging
Haynach Lakes Trail
Moose meadows, granite falls, and a quiet alpine lake finale
Easy
Bear Lake Loop
Classic, easy lake loop with big-peak views—and the crowds to match
Moderate
Bierstadt Lake
Short, switchback climb to a serene moraine lake with Divide views
Moderate
Calypso Cascades
Waterfall sampler with a punchy finish in Wild Basin
Challenging
Chapin Pass Trail
High-alpine tundra stroll with big views and a quiet summit option
Challenging
Mount Chapin
Short high elevation climb to big tundra views without all day effort
Moderate
Bear Lake-Bierstadt Trail
Shuttle-friendly route to a serene subalpine lake with Divide views
Challenging
Mount Chiquita
Short, stout 13er with big tundra views and real alpine weather.
Moderate
Deer Mountain Trail
Steady switchbacks to 360° Moraine Park and Longs Peak views
Challenging
Estes Cone
Short, stout climb to 360-degree views of Longs and Estes Valley
Moderate
Cascade Falls (North Inlet)
West-side classic: meadows, moose, and a lively riverside waterfall
Challenging
Twin Sisters Peaks Trail
Steady climb to windy twin summits with front-row Longs Peak views
Moderate
Fern Lake
Classic river-to-lake climb with waterfalls and big peak views
Moderate
Fern Lake Trail
River, waterfall, and lake combo with big views and real elevation.
Moderate
Ute Trail
High tundra traverse with huge views between Milner Pass and Alpine Visitor
Challenging
Sandbeach Lake Trail
Steady climb to a rare sandy alpine beach with big peak views
Moderate
Cub Lake–Fern Lake Loop
Meadows, lily pads, river gorge, and falls in one moderate loop
Challenging
Timber Lake Trail
West side climb to a quiet alpine lake beneath Mount Ida
Moderate
Lumpy Ridge Loop
Granite domes, meadows, and Gem Lake on a rolling 10-mile tour.
Challenging
Boulder Field
Long, windy grind to a surreal alpine boulder sea below the Keyhole
Challenging
Longs Peak Trail (The Boulderfield)
Wind-scoured talus basin to camp or snack below the Keyhole
Challenging
Finch Lake - Pear Lake Trail
Remote twin-lakes day with a stout climb and real Wild Basin quiet
Challenging
Mirror Lake Trail
Remote alpine lake with big views, burn-scar vistas, and solitude
Challenging
Pear Lake
Long, quiet climb to a remote alpine lake beneath Copeland Mountain
Challenging
Tonahutu Creek Trail
Big meadows, a waterfall, and alpine tundra on the quiet west side
Challenging
Lake Verna
Long, rewarding climb to a glassy subalpine lake from Grand Lake
Challenging
Thunder Lake Trail
Long, shaded climb to a serene alpine lake ringed by big peaks
Challenging
Lake Nokoni
Big-mile west-side trek to a quiet alpine lake and waterfalls
Easy
Alberta Falls
Quick, easy stroll to a 30‑foot cascade in Glacier Gorge
Moderate
Bridal Veil Falls via Cow Creek
Meadows, elk, and a slick granite finish to a 20 ft falls.
Moderate
Cow Creek Trail
Creekside meadows to falls and rock oddities, with room to breathe
Challenging
Spruce Lake
Waterfalls, burn-scar views, and a quiet subalpine lake payoff
Moderate
Ypsilon Lake Trail
Steady, quieter climb to a pretty subalpine lake and waterfalls
Moderate
Lone Pine Lake
Waterfalls, meadows, and a granite-rimmed alpine lake with moose chances.
Moderate
Lawn Lake Trail
Long, quiet climb to a storied alpine lake and 1982 flood scars
Moderate
Gem Lake Trail
Short, steady climb to sculpted rock and a tiny cliff-ringed lake
Easy
Alluvial Fan
Short, mostly paved stroll to boulder field cascades and big views
Easy
Alpine Ridge Trail
Short, stair-steep climb to 12,005-foot tundra panoramas.
Easy
Adams Falls
Quick, family-friendly waterfall with a bonus meadow view
Easy
Lily Lake Loop
Flat, stroller‑friendly loop with peak reflections and easy wildlife watching
Easy
Nymph Lake
Short, steady walk to a lily-pad lake with big peak views.
Moderate
Cub Lake Trail
Meadow to lily pad lake with big wildlife potential and mellow loop.
Challenging
Boulder Brook Trail
Steep, quiet creek climb with nonstop cascades and cool shade
Moderate
Balanced Rock Trail
Granite oddity beyond Gem Lake with quieter miles and big views
Moderate
Onahu Creek Trail
Moose-friendly loop through Big Meadows and a fire-scarred canyon
Moderate
Shadow Mountain Lookout trail
Forest climb to a historic fire lookout with sweeping lake views
Challenging
Loomis Lake
Waterfalls to a quiet cirque lake—bring route-finding chops.
Challenging
Stormy Peaks Trail
Long, quiet climb to alpine tundra and big Mummy Range views
Challenging
North Fork Trail
Quiet river-to-alpine climb with burn-scar meadows and big payoff
Moderate
Big Meadows via Green Mountain
Wide‑open meadow stroll with high odds of spotting moose
Moderate
Moraine Park Trail
Flat, wildlife-rich loop through a signature glacial meadow.
Challenging
North Boundary Trail
Remote ridge-and-creek traverse with big climbs and waterfall spurs
Moderate
Thunder Pass Trail
Remote boundary pass with big Never Summer views and options
Easy
Lily Ridge Trail
Short ridge loop above Lily Lake with outsized views
Moderate
Green Mountain Trail
Quick west side climb to Big Meadows with real moose odds
Moderate
Beaver Mountain Trail
Meadow to mountain loop with Longs Peak views and fewer crowds
Moderate
Upper Beaver Meadows Trail
Quiet meadows-to-ridge loop with big Moraine Park and Longs views
Moderate
Red Mountain Trail
Quieter west-side climb to Grand Ditch with big Never Summer views.
Moderate
South Tonahutu/Big Meadows/Onahu Creek
Short west-side sampler linking Big Meadows and Onahu Creek
Easy
Copeland Falls
Quick, shady stroll to cascades with big payoff for little effort
Moderate
Mill Creek Basin Trail
Quieter meadows and creekside forest with an optional Bierstadt add-on
Easy
Colorado River Trail
Quiet west side river ramble with easy wildlife and history payoffs
Moderate
Cache la Poudre Trail
Quiet headwaters walk through subalpine meadows beside the Poudre
Moderate
Glacier Creek Trail
Quieter creekside connector linking Sprague, Bear, and Bierstadt
Moderate
Little Yellowstone
Quiet west side trek to a quirky volcanic mini canyon and history
Challenging
Black Canyon Trail
Long, quiet climb from Lumpy Ridge to big Mummy Range views
Challenging
Mummy Pass Trail
High-country connector with big tundra views and fewer people
Easy
Poudre Trail
Easy headwaters ramble with elk, big views, and trout water
Challenging
Storm Pass Trail
Quiet cross-park traverse with an optional Estes Cone bonus.
Easy
Moraine Park Nature Trail
Big meadow loop with elk, views, and a short paved road section
Easy
East Shore Trail (Continental Divide Trail)
Flat lakeshore stroll with big moose odds and rare legal biking.
Moderate
MacGregor Falls Trail
Quieter Lumpy Ridge hike to a slabby, two-stage creek waterfall
Moderate
Lulu City via Colorado River Trail
Quiet ghost town stroll along the upper Colorado with moose potential.
Easy
Lake Irene Loop
Quick high-country loop with picnic tables and mirror-still views
Challenging
North Longs Peak Trail
Quiet, rugged connector to Granite Pass and the BoulderfieldEasy
Eugenia Mine
Shady forest stroll to humble 1800s mine remnants and a stream.
Moderate
