Hiking is always fun, especially if you like challenging yourself. Test your hiking abilities in the 265,461 acre (107,428.3 hectare) Rocky Mountain National Park, USA. By climbing the steep, rough rocks, you’ll push yourself to the limit, while enjoying nature. Access to the park is through Estes Park, or Grand Lake, on the western side. Besides hiking, you can enjoy wildlife and other recreational activities here, like camping, fishing, and skiing. You’ll see birds and wild animals, like bears and moose. The weather is sometimes extreme here, so you need to plan ahead. For the best hiking experience, wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Wear a long-sleeved jacket and trousers, as you may encounter wild plants that are poisonous. Wear waterproof shoes with tread to enable you to walk comfortably on snowy and rocky ground. Below are the top hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA.
1. Fern Lake Trail
Posted by Andy Ellis on Saturday, 2 November 2019
If you’re looking to combine hiking with great scenery, you should visit the Fern Lake Trail. It’s a 7.1-mile (11.4-km) trail with waterfalls, wildflowers, snow, and streams. There are recreational activities here that you can indulge in, like fishing and camping.
It’s worth noting that this hike is relatively uncrowded on the east side of the park. The route style is there and back, with different levels of challenge. Being a well-maintained trail, it’ll be an easy hike, with lots of adventure. Parking is sometimes a challenge, especially in the evening. Get here early in the morning to avoid large crowds of people. Dogs are not allowed.
Fern Lake Trailhead
Address: Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
Website: Fern Lake Trailhead
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
2. Glacier Gorge Trailhead
This is an easier, less crowded, and more direct route compared to the other trail routes in the park. You’ll enjoy seeing spectacular scenery here, like waterfalls, wildflowers, snow, and streams. This trail is ideal for family and group hikes. Wear appropriate footwear to make the walk easier and more enjoyable. Snacks are allowed, but you’re not allowed to feed the animals. On the matter of parking, get here early, as the parking area fills up fast.
Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Address: Bear Lake Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
Website: Glacier Gorge Trailhead
3. Wild Basin Trailhead
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Posted by Wild Basin Creative Research Center on Thursday, 9 January 2020
In terms of difficulty, the Wild Basin Trailhead is a moderate level hike. There are different routes in the trail and the lower part is easier. It is more enjoyable than Bear Lake, being less congested. You’ll come across rough roads, lovely waterfalls, creeks, and wildflowers. This spot is ideal for family hiking and you’re allowed to carry some snacks. Get here early for the best hiking experience.
Wild Basin Trailhead
Address: Allenspark, CO 80510, United States
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4. Bierstadt Lake Trail
The beginning of the Bierstadt Lake trail. It was a shady deal, but only for a short time.
Posted by Kerry Gleason on Sunday, 30 June 2019
This is the home of some amazing rock formations. If you’re a beginner or a lake lover, this is the place to be. Remember to wear appropriate footwear, like foot spikes or snowshoes, because it gets muddy, snowy, and windy here. The trail can take up to one and a half hours, there and back, with plenty of stopovers. This trail is endowed with birds and animals, like moose, elk, ducks, and eagles. This is an easy and relaxing hike.
Bierstadt Lake Trail
Address: Colorado 80517, USA
5. Deer Mountain Trailhead
This 5.6-mile (9-km) trail is best enjoyed from April to October. All along the trail and at the top of the mountain are breathtaking views. It’s an easy to moderate hike that you can indulge in with family or friends. People of all ages can hike here.
To best enjoy the hike, visit when it’s less cloudy, as the trail can be windy and icy. It’s advised to wear snowshoes in the winter for a comfortable and easy walk. The trail is not clearly marked, so it’s easy to get lost. Other fun recreational activities, like biking and horseback riding, are allowed here.
Deer Mountain Trailhead
Address: Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
Website: Deer Mountain Trailhead
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
6. Twin Sisters Peaks Trail
Posted by Vic Morales on Sunday, 15 September 2019
For the lovers of hard and challenging hikes, Twin Sisters Peaks Trail is the place to be. It’s steep, rocky, and clearly marked. You’ll enjoy its natural features, like valleys, streams, and wild animals, all along the trail. Wear the right clothing, as it gets windy here and you may encounter poisonous wild plants. Carry plenty of water, as you’ll need it as you hike.
Twin Sisters Peaks Trail
Address: Colorado 80517, USA
7. Lawn Lake Trailhead
Posted by Jillian L. Johnson on Friday, 4 October 2019
Covering 11.8 miles (19 km), this trail is well-marked from the start to the end. It’s a rough hike, ideal for people looking to push themselves to the limit. The good thing about this trail is that there’s plenty of parking. You’ll enjoy seeing beautiful waterfalls and wild animals, like moose and chipmunks. Wear snowshoes to make your hiking easier.
Lawn Lake Trailhead
Address: Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
Website: Lawn Lake Trailhead
8. Finch Lake Trailhead
Posted by St. Clement's Parish School on Sunday, 25 August 2019
Do you want to enjoy some hiking on a hot, sunny day? Finch Lake Trailhead is the place to be. There are plenty of trees that will cover you as you hike and enjoy nature. It’s a moderate hike that’s not crowded. You can indulge in other recreational activities here, like biking and fishing.
Along the trail, you can relax and enjoy your snacks. You’ll need plenty of water to stay hydrated. There’s ample and secure parking, too. It’s advisable to wear snowshoes here in the winter, as it gets snowy and you’ll cross some streams.
Finch Lake Trailhead
Address: Allenspark, CO 80510, United States
Website: Finch Lake Trailhead
9. Cub Lake Trailhead
Posted by Michielle Napolitano on Sunday, 7 July 2019
For an ideal, fun-filled family hike, visit the Cub Lake Trailhead. You’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery and seeing the birds and animals, like moose, chipmunks, eagles, and elk. Consider this trail if you want to enjoy wildlife. On the matter of difficulty, it’s an easy hike, ideal for all ages. Prone to being icy and windy, wear appropriate shoes and clothing. It’s not busy compared to the other trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Cub Lake Trailhead
Address: Colorado 80517, USA
10. Bear Lake Trailhead
Posted by Stacy Yaklin Chavez on Thursday, 2 January 2020
Bear Lake Trailhead is only 0.8-miles (1.3-km) long. Within its short distance are scenic views and wildlife. You’ll see wild animals, like moose and chipmunks. This trailhead offers an easy hike, suitable for the whole family. The trails are well-maintained and with important information, like warnings. In case you need additional information or guidance, visit the ranger station at the trailhead and you’ll be helped.
Get here early in order to get a parking space and to avoid the crowds. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing, as it gets snowy, windy, and wet.
Bear Lake Trailhead
Address: Bear Lake Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
Website: Bear Lake Trailhead
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Unforgettable Rocky Mountain National Park, USA
Who wouldn’t love hiking while enjoying nature? It’s killing two birds with one stone, right? Certainly, Rocky Mountain National Park has an array of hiking trails for you to enjoy and explore. If you are looking to push yourself while enjoying the beautiful scenery, make sure you visit this park.
Tip from Content Creator
We enjoyed a snow hike in the Rockies and would highly recommend it! If you want to conquer your fears and are ready to befriend any sort of trolls or other winter beasts up here, put on your snow cleats and hike this beauty. We made it to the top and it was so worth it, even though it may have been in the middle of a blizzard. It’s awesome getting to experience how powerful nature can be 9,905 feet (3019 meters) up.
However, winter is friendly to us as long as we are to it. So, please clean up after yourselves when visiting the national park.
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