Best Hiking Trails in Aspen, Colorado
With its abundant groves of aspen trees, colorful wildflowers, lush evergreen forests, rushing creeks, and rocky, high-altitude terrain, Aspen is a popular outdoor recreation destination featuring hiking trails suitable for all ability and fitness levels.
Tucked down in the valley of the Roaring Fork River, Aspen is surrounded by the towering, craggy peaks of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, with some peaks known as “14ers” standing over 14,000 feet tall. This means there is quick and easy access to varied hiking terrain right from town, often allowing you to be out the door and at the trailhead in under 10 minutes.
Hiking is a way of life here and ranks among the best activities to enjoy while in Aspen. Many locals hike multiple times a week, holding business meetings or taking calls while out on the trails.
Popular trails, especially those near town, can get busy during the summer months. However, during the spring, fall, and winter (and in the very early morning hours), you can often hike with fewer crowds, where you may even encounter local wildlife like deer, foxes, elk, moose, and hundreds of bird species.
Ute Trail
Best hike for fitness
6 miles (9.65 km) round trip, 2-4 hours, difficult
If you’re looking to hike up the same terrain that you can ski down during the winter, the Ute Trail climbs 3,000 feet to the summit of Aspen Mountain, also known as “Ajax.” This intense workout is popular among locals who use it to gauge their fitness levels, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain peaks and the town below. Moreover, you’ll have an up-close-and-personal look at the ski resort without any snow, complete with chair lifts overhead.
At the summit, take a moment to enjoy a burger at the Sundeck restaurant, and if your legs and lungs need a break, hop on the Silver Queen Gondola for the descent. Note that the gondola is open daily from July through September, then only on weekends from September to October, with ticket prices starting at $31.
If you’re short on time or seeking a quick family hike, consider climbing approximately one mile to the Ute Rock Overlook (which has many switchbacks), then turn back for a scenic return to town.
Smuggler Mountain: Best Quick Hike for Views
3 miles (4.82 km) round trip, 1-1.5 hours, easy
This route is favored by many Aspenites due to its quick and easy access from downtown, making it ideal for a lunch break or after-work hike. The trail is a dirt road that climbs Smuggler Mountain with several steep switchbacks. However, all the effort is rewarded with breathtaking views.
Many hikers choose to go up 1.5 miles to an overlook platform that provides panoramic views of the city below, before heading back down the same path. This trail is quite popular, so expect to encounter other hikers and their dogs along the way. Remember to carry sunscreen and water, as there is very little shade, and the wildflowers are beautiful during summer while aspens flaunt golden-yellow leaves in fall.
Lost Man Trail: Best Lake Hike
8.8 miles (14.2 km) one way, 4-6 hours, moderate
This point-to-point route showcases Aspen’s rugged terrain and provides a subtle but steady incline. This can be a challenge for novice hikers, particularly for those not yet acclimatized to the altitude; Aspen is situated at 7,908 feet above sea level. The route starts at 10,507 feet, climbs to 12,800 feet, and then descends back down to 11,506 feet.
During the hike, you’ll pass Lost Man Reservoir, Lost Man Lake, and Independence Lake, alongside the beautiful Lost Man Creek and Roaring Fork River. This trail is adorned with wildflowers from late June through August, and you may encounter mountain goats in the alpine tundra environment.
Since this trail is not a loop, many hikers arrange to park one car at the trailhead and another at the end of the route. To extend your wilderness experience, there are ten first-come, first-served campsites available at Lost Man Campground.
Difficult Creek Trail: Best Winter/Spring Hike
6 miles (9.6 km) round trip, 2-3 hours, moderate to difficult
For a peaceful and serene snowshoe trek that you’ll likely have all to yourself, head to Difficult Creek Trail, starting about five miles southeast of downtown Aspen off Highway 82 within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. The ideal time to traverse this path is during winter or spring, where you can enjoy the tranquility, accompanied only by the sounds of snow crunching beneath your snowshoes.
This route gently climbs from 8,160 feet to 9,500 feet, meandering through fir and pine forests alongside Difficult Creek. While a short, half-mile section is steep and rocky, the remainder eases into a pleasant journey past the remnants of several historic cabins.
Rio Grande Trail: Best Accessible Hike
42 miles (67.6 km) one way, variable, easy
This mostly flat, primarily paved trail is one of the most accessible and beginner-friendly routes in Aspen. It’s part of a “rails-to-trails” project that transformed the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad corridor into a multi-use path for people of all abilities and fitness levels.
Start the trail just a few blocks north of downtown, crossing the Roaring Fork River, which gives the valley its name. The trail follows the river out of town toward neighboring Woody Creek, passing under canopies of trees, around a waterfall, and eventually into open meadows. While some road crossings exist, a majority of the path is safe from vehicle traffic.
The entire trail spans 42 miles between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, allowing for numerous options to walk, ride, roll, or rollerblade for just a few miles before turning back. The wooded areas near Aspen offer shade, but if you venture further, be prepared for direct sunlight. Most unpaved sections are smooth and well-maintained.
Maroon Bells to Crested Butte: Best Multi-Day Hike
22 miles (35.4 km) round trip, 24-48 hours with overnight, difficult
Aspen and Crested Butte are approximately 100 miles apart via car, yet they are only about 11 miles apart when traversed on foot, allowing for an adventurous hike between these two stunning Colorado mountain towns.
This trek kicks off at the iconic Maroon Bells, two frequently photographed peaks towering above Maroon Lake. Because the Bells are so popular, you will require a reservation and must either take a shuttle ($16 round trip) or pay to park overnight ($10). If parking during the high season, ensure you arrive before 8 a.m. Be sure to review the latest guidelines prior to your adventure.
From Maroon Lake, you will climb approximately 3,000 feet over West Maroon Pass before starting your descent toward Crested Butte, meandering through aspen groves, past Crater Lake, and across the breathtaking high alpine terrain above the treeline—where the wildflowers are particularly captivating in July and August. Many hikers choose to spend a night or two in Crested Butte before returning to Aspen, with several hotels providing shuttles to the trailhead, or you can opt to camp along the trail if you have backpacking gear.
For a shorter, easier sunrise hike, ascend to the Maroon Bells before dawn to capture the twin peaks reflecting off Maroon Lake as the sun begins to rise, creating a mesmerizing pink glow. After your photography session, take the 1.5-mile one-way Maroon Lake Scenic Trail around the lake and along West Maroon Creek.
Cathedral Lake: Best Fall Hike
5.6 miles (9 km) round trip, 3-4 hours, moderate/difficult
Cathedral Lake serves as an ideal day hike for exploring the region’s beautiful fall foliage. This trail through Pine Creek Canyon, south of Aspen, proves steep, gaining roughly 2,000 feet over 2.8 miles. Nevertheless, the hike rewards adventurers with breathtaking views of vibrant yellow aspens along the trail and at the lakeside above.
Although the route can become rocky and technical at times, the stunning scenery makes it worthwhile, so come prepared with sunscreen, water, and hiking poles. For those looking to extend their adventure, several dispersed backcountry camping spots are available below the lake, though all backpackers must register at the trailhead and retain their paperwork throughout their stay.
This article was first published on Nov 3, 2021, and updated on Dec 28, 2021.
