Fort Collins, Colorado

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Fort Collins

  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Pear Lake

    5.0
    12.35 mi / 2638 ft gain
    Pear lake is a beautiful alpine lake in the southern Wild Basin region of Rocky Mountain National Park. Once used as a reservoir, Pear Lake has been restored to its natural state and lies in scenic basin below some of the most isolated mountains in the park. The trail to Pear Lake passes through ...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Finch Lake

    3.0
    8.96 mi / 1926 ft gain
    There are several ways to reach finch lake but this will cover the route from the Finch Lake Trailhead in the wild basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also loop it with other trails in the area or begin at the Allenspark Trailhead, which is technically outside the park and a bit e...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Ouzel & Ogallala Peaks

    17.18 mi / 4403 ft gain
    Begin at the Wild Basin Trailhead in southeastern Rocky Mountain National Park near the town of Allenspark. Plan to start before sunrise if attempting this trek as a day trip in order to avoid afternoon thunderstorms above the treeline. This trip can easily be made into a backpacking experience b...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Ouzel Falls

    4.0
    5.22 mi / 1004 ft gain
    Located right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, this hike is perfect for anyone looking to do a little exploring without the cost of a park fee. The drive through the Rocky Mountains to the trailhead is an added bonus. This hike is great because it has multiple attractions all along the wa...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Backpack to Bluebird Lake

    4.0
    12.23 mi / 2608 ft gain
    Starting at the Wild Basin trailhead on the south side of Rocky Mountain National Park, hike through a wet forest towards upper and lower Copeland Falls, located 0.45 miles from the trailhead. From here, continue on the main trail along the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River to Calypso Cascades,...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Thunder Lake

    11.53 mi / 2188 ft gain
    Starting at the often-busy Wild Basin TH, the trail passes through dense forests as it follows the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River through the southernmost section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail passes alongside the small Copeland Falls before continuing west towards Calypso Casca...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Watch the Sunset at Forest Canyon Overlook

    5.0
    0.2 mi / 32 ft gain
    Trail Ridge Road is an incredible highway that crosses the mountains between Grand Lake and Estes Park, one of the most famous parts of Rocky Mountain National Park. It features incredible views of the Rockies and the Front Range, as well as the unforgettable experience of being immersed in the t...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail

    5.0
    4 mi / 1207 ft gain
    The Ceran St. Vrain trail north of Jamestown offers the hiker a nice respite from the summer sun as this path runs through dense pine forests. The trail follows the South St. Vrain Creek for most of the way and follows moderate grades throughout. There is no official end to the trail, only that i...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Chapin Pass Trail to Mount Chapin

    3.95 mi / 1316 ft gain
    Chapin Pass Trail to Mount Chapin is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Estes Park, Colorado.
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Backpack the Gorge Lakes

    11.5 mi / 3200 ft gain
    Start at the Rock Cut Parking Area. Head east on Trail Ridge Road 0.25 miles to a more gradual and bald western slope leading down into Forest Canyon. This bald is located between two creeks which merge before joining the Big Thompson River (a small creek in mid September). Use the creeks to navi...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail

    2.93 mi / 223 ft gain
    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Lyons, Colorado

    Hike Meadow Mountain

    4.0
    7.7 mi / 2832 ft gain
    From the trailhead, follow the trail through the woods until you reach a meadow with a steep slope. Some portions of this slope reach an angle of 30 degrees and may feature slight avalanche danger in the winter. However, the trail is used enough that such conditions would make themselves known ...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Wonderland Lake Trail

    5.0
    1.85 mi / 98 ft gain
    Wonderland Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Catch a Sunset Above Milner Pass

    This is a great place to be at sunrise or sunset.  Bring a camera & tripod and check the weather ahead of time.Take Trail Ridge Road all the way to the top and park at the Alpine Visitor Center.  There's a great view from here, but if you're interested in photography I recommend taking the tr...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas + Sunshine Canyon loop

    5.03 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This loop takes you up Sunshine Canyon, a milder and less crowded grade when compared to the popular Sanitas ridge. You'll head up the canyon for a bit before reaching the terminus of the canyon trail -- where you'll cross the road to pick up on the Lions Lair connector. Continue following this u...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Loop & Settlers Park

    4.4
    3.83 mi / 1371 ft gain
    First off, these are two different hikes but both stem from the same parking lot and Settlers Park is a mere 5 minutes away from where you park so why not kill two birds with one stone? One of the more popular hikes in Boulder, Mount Sanitas is a 3 mile hike that quickly scales nearly 1,350 feet...
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