Empire, Colorado

Looking for the best hiking in Empire? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Empire. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Empire

  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Bierstadt, Evans, and The Sawtooth Loop

    4.5
    9.76 mi / 3438 ft gain
    Starting from the oddly poorly marked Guanella Pass Trailhead (Google maps directions to Guanella Campground and then drive about two miles past it to the south), the trail heads southeast toward Bierstadt, and much of your route to the first summit is visible from the parking lot. The trail to ...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Watch the Sunrise at Guanella Pass

    5.0
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    From Denver, take i70 to Georgetown and simply follow the signs through town to the top. This pass can also be accessed from the south via US Highway 285 at the town of Grant. Guanella Pass is closed in the winter, typically from about the last week in November through the last week of May. Watch...
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  • Dillon, Colorado

    Grays Peak via the South Ridge

    9.9 mi / 3970 ft gain
    Grays is easily one of the most popular 14ers in Colorado due to its moderate difficulty and proximity to Denver. Grays Peak is an awesome 14er but the crowds take away from the hike. And while the views on top of Grays are amazing, the barren landscape of the hike to get there isn't the most ama...
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  • Dillon, Colorado

    Hiking Mount Sniktau

    5.0
    4 mi
    Mount Sniktau is a great beginner 13er. This hike offers a fun ridge walk with amazing views! Make sure you come prepared, the wind can be pretty relentless. Parking is limited so make sure you arrive early.This hike will get your blood pumping from the moment you exit your vehicle. You will cli...
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  • Evergreen, Colorado

    Watch the Sunset from Mt Evans Road

    5.0
    Leave Evergreen, CO and access the Mount Evans Road and Mount Evans Recreation Area from Squaw Pass, CO 103 at Echo Lake.Drive along the slopes of Mount Evans, a Colorado 14er standing at 14,264 ft. 5 switchbacks down from the summit, on a tight hairpin turn, is a small parking area near 13,900f...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to the Lost Lakes via the Hessie Trail

    4 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Accessed by Hessie Trailhead, Lost Lake is a relatively moderate 4 mile round-trip hike with about 1,000 feet of elevation. The core of the hike is uphill and on a gravel path, 2/3rds of the hike runs parallel to a rushing waterfall.  After parking your car, head towards the Hessie Trailhead. Yo...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    King Lake via Hessie Trailhead

    5.0
    11.32 mi / 2375 ft gain
    The normal route from the east side is via the Hessie trailhead outside Nederland Colorado. From the west it is most often accessed via the short trail from Rollins pass, which is open in the summer. As noted above, it is also a lake and area ripe for creating your own adventure. The description ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Snowshoe Lost Lake

    5.0
    2.7 mi / 791 ft gain
    Driving through the towns of Nederlands and Eldora alone is a beautiful experience. Once you come up to Hessie Trailhead, you'll already be in a daze because you'll be staring at Eldora Mountain and will see some ski runs in the distance.Getting to the trailhead early is best. Parking starts alon...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Snowshoe to Jasper Lake

    5.0
    11 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Starting at 9100 feet, the Hessie trailhead is easily accessible by both 2 and 4 wheel drive cars (depending on how far you want to travel down the road). The trail is fairly easy and often packed down snow up to the cut off point to the Devil's Thumb Bypass, which allows a bypass of Lost Lake an...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike the Blue Grouse Trail Loop

    3.0
    6 mi / 400 ft gain
    Start the hike at the Blue Grouse Trailhead located next to Kriley Pond. Travel along Blue Grouse Trail for 0.7 miles until you reach a fork in the trail at Mule Trail where you will take a right. Along the Mule Trail you will travel up a series of switch backs before the trail levels out and you...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike Beaver Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    4.0
    2.3 mi / 1046 ft gain
    This trail starts off at Slough Pond, a great fishing pond or picnic spot. The trail starts out tree-covered. After a few tenths of a mile you have the choice to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you go counter-clockwise you have about 3/4 of a mile of steep uphill hiking to do (the Park rate...
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  • Black Hawk, Colorado

    Racoon Trail to Panorama Point

    4.0
    3.49 mi / 686 ft gain
    Summer is a magical time of year in the Rocky Mountains. One great way to experience this stunning beauty is through hiking Raccoon Trail to Panorama Point at Golden Gate State Park. Raccoon Trail is 3.3 mile moderately difficult hike which can be completed in under an hour, although it will like...
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  • Fraser, Colorado

    Summit Byers Peak

    8.8 mi / 2774 ft gain
    The drive to the start of the trail is okay, having a high clearance vehicle would make the drive easier, but is not necessary.  Free parking is available along the side of the road.The trail starts on a closed service road at a gate and requires you to either hike or bike up the dirt road (2 mil...
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  • Montezuma, Colorado

    Morgan Peak

    8.76 mi / 2612 ft gain
    How you get to Morgan Peak and the other 13ers in the area depends on if you have a 4-wheel drive with good clearance or not. If so, drive the rough Santa Fe road from the small town of Montezuma (just outside Keystone). The road is also known as Forest Service 264 and is a left at the stop sign ...
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  • Dillon, Colorado

    Off-Road to Glacier Mountain

    5.0
    7.4 mi / 2100 ft gain
    The trail begins just past historical Main Street Montezuma. You will see a sign on your right for St. Johns road. This road is officially marked as 275 on a map. The original road lead to St. Johns but not much of the town remains.You will cross the Snake River almost immediately after you turn ...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Elk Range Trail

    2.5
    6.42 mi / 952.1 ft gain
    Elk Range Trail is an incredible and beautiful hike that is just off of Route 6 but feels a million miles away. Drive up Douglas Mountain Road for the west park access (and I do mean UP - it's a quick elevation gain), and you'll run right into the Centennial Cone Park entrance. There is a bathroo...
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