Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the country’s highest mountains, six glaciers, more than 100 pristine alpine lakes, lush wooded valleys, and the sort of high-alpine terrain that hikers dream of. Elk guard the east side of the park, while moose graze the west. Rocky is home to a diverse assortment of vegetation and animals in between. Even by American national park standards, it’s a rare sight.Given that there are over 300 miles of hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, narrowing out the top hiking routes can be difficult. So in this article, we have picked the 8 best hiking trails for you in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lily Lake
This hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park surrounds Lily Lake for 0.8 miles and has only a slight elevation. This route is located south of Estes Park and is easily accessible from Highway 7. Beautiful aspen and pine trees surround the lake and pathway.
The lake is also open to fishing, and the pier and walk are both handicaps accessible. Take the Lily Ridge Loop, which branches off the Lily Lake route on the north border and offers the same 0.8-mile route but with a 180-foot climb — ideal for groups with individuals of varying ability levels.
Sprague Lake
The Sprague Lake Nature Trail is a looping hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park that is wheelchair accessible. This popular site, along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, offers an easy yet lovely hike around the lake. Birds abound throughout this 0.5-mile trail, which has several benches for relaxing or simply admiring the spectacular vistas of the Continental Divide.
Copeland Falls
Enjoy a simple hike with a big payout! These magnificently flowing falls are located after a 0.3-mile journey with little to no elevation gain. The Wild Basin Trailhead is located in the Wild Basin region of the national park, south of Estes Park on Highway 7.
Hikers with a little more experience can continue on the Thunder Lake Trail for another 1.1 kilometers to Calypso Cascades. This hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park entails a short incline of 780-feet.
Gem Lake
The Lumpy Ridge Trailhead is located in a non-fee part of Rocky Mountain National Park north of Estes Park along Devil’s Gulch Road and is one of the most popular walks in the Estes Valley. While there is just a 968-foot climb, there are a few difficult areas.
This 3.4-mile hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park offers some of the most stunning vistas of the Estes Valley on its trip up and down. Along the journey, check for Paul Bunyan’s Boot, a distinctive rock formation that resembles a boot with a hole in the sole.
Finch Lake
Finch Lake Trail is a great trip for birders and naturalists because it is one of the less-visited hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. The marshy coast of Finch Lake, at approximately 10,000 feet, provides the perfect retreat for feathered pals, both local and traveling.
Starting from the Finch Lake Trailhead, hike 4.5 kilometers to the lake, which is 1,442 feet above sea level. The trailhead is located in the Wild Basin section of Rocky Mountain National Park, off of Highway 7 (south of Estes Park).
Fern Lake
From 1916 through 1934, this spectacular lake was home to the Fern Lake Lodge, a winter adventure destination. It’s one of the more difficult yet moderate day hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Including a 3.8-mile section of path with a 1,275-foot elevation gain and great views of Notchtop and Little Matterhorn at the conclusion. The trailhead is located in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, towards the west end of Moraine Park.
Longs Peak
One of the most difficult mountain climbs, this famous 14er which comprises of peaks that rise more than 14,000 feet above sea level will test your skills. Getting an early start and carefully planning your route is important to making it off the peak before the afternoon showers (and lightning) tend to strike. The start of this hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is located south of Estes Park off of Highway 7.
Andrews Tarn & Andrews Glacier
This glacier-fed lake is at an elevation of almost 11,000 feet. The route is 4.6 miles long and gains almost 2,000 feet in height. Continue past the lake to the south to discover the bulging Andrews Glacier for the difficult climber.
Technical climbing equipment is normally advised for safe climbing depending on the conditions. From the Glacier Gorge Trailhead off of Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, take the Loch Vale Trail to the Andrews Creek Trail to reach both places of interest.
In Rocky Mountain National Park, hiking is a popular pastime. Go on a hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park for the finest of spectacular and challenging treks, whether you’re strolling along a quiet lake route or ascending a huge mountain. They’re all actual treks with no gimmicks. Finally, don’t forget find discount codes on which can help you save more money for your hiking trips.
