Lafayette, Colorado

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Lafayette

  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Backpack the CDT Loop in Rocky Mountain NP

    24.3 mi / 4000 ft gain
    This section of the CDT begins at the North Inlet trailhead, located on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead is north of the main town area of Grand Lake. Parking at the trailhead is limited, so hikers can also park along the road leading to the trailhead. The hike foll...
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  • Fort Collins, Colorado

    Hike the North Loop via Foothills Trail

    5.0
    6.5 mi / 700 ft gain
    Despite its singular name, the Foothills Trail in Fort Collins is an interconnected series of trails that follows the ridges and hogsbacks which comprise the majority of the eastern side of the Horsetooth Reservoir. The trail can be accessed at several points along its length (by trails also call...
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  • Fort Collins, Colorado

    Fat Tire Bike the Foothills Trail

    5.0
    8.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    The Reservoir Ridge and Foothills trail system around Horsetooth Reservoir and Fort Collins is excellent for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. During the winter it is particularly great for fat tire mountain biking, and the Foothills Trail is one of the best. The trail itself is roughly...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Camp at Guanella Pass

    4.5
    This is a beautiful campground that serves as a great basecamp for many different outdoor activities in the Front Range. Whether you are looking for a casual day fishing or trying to knock one of the nearby 14ers off of your bucket list, this is an excellent place to begin. There are also abandon...
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  • 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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  • Georgetown, Colorado

    Hike to Square Top Lakes

    4.3 mi / 1080 ft gain
    Starting from Guanella Pass, right across from the Bierstadt trailhead, Square Top Lakes is definitely a hidden gem. Most people here are attempting to do the 14er, but if you've already bagged that one (or are just looking for some high altitude hiking to get you ready for it), Square Top Lakes ...
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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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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Forest Canyon Overlook

    4.0
    0.27 mi / 29.53 ft gain
    The highest continuous paved road in North America, Trail Ridge Road takes you above 12,000 ft to an alpine tundra. Being above treeline means you have unclogged panoramic views of the night sky and any possible meteors. You can start your trip from Grand Lake in the west or Estes Park in the ea...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Catch the Fall Colors on the West Side of Rocky Mountain NP

    4.0
    A Fall adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park is among the most spectacular experiences Colorado has to offer. The change of the seasons offers an amazing change to the landscape that makes taking a bad picture darn near impossible. The light is perfect, the elk are in rut, and the mountains o...
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  • Silver Plume, Colorado

    Grays Peak Trail

    4.5
    7.25 mi / 2995 ft gain
    The first challenge you'll face on your way to the summit of Gray's peak is Steven's Gulch Road. My Corolla rolled up to the start of what I’ve seen described as a “4x4 road that should probably not be attempted in a low clearance vehicle”. But what the heck, it was late, and I didn't feel like w...
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  • Silver Plume, Colorado

    Torrey's Peak via Kelso Ridge

    5.0
    5.79 mi / 2982 ft gain
    The start of this route up the Kelso Ridge is the same as doing the standard route of Gray's and Torrey's peaks. From the trailhead cross the large metal bridge and continue on the great trail as it slowly climbs away from the parking lot and trailhead. This first section is not steep, but prov...
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  • Parshall, Colorado

    Camp at Jones Pass

    4.5
    To locate these campsites all you have to do is type in Jones Pass Road into google maps or your iPhone and it will take you straight there. There are road signs once you get off I-70 that will help you the rest of the way that say Jones Pass. Once you hit the dirt road and pass the Jones Pass Tr...
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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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  • Castle Rock, Colorado

    Run the Challenge Hill

    5.0
    0.6 mi / 200 ft gain
    The Basics: The Challenge Hill, or as I like to call it, the Mini-Incline, is a shrunken version of its big brother to the south in Manitou. However, don't let its relatively small 200 stair count fool you - this hill is a serious workout! Located in Philip S. Miller Park, just one minute off I-2...
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  • Laporte, Colorado

    Bellvue Dome (Private Property)

    2.8
    1.75 mi / 600 ft gain
    This adventure is on Private Property. Please do not access this adventure without permission from the property owner.  Gorgeous views up and down the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, from Greyrock Mountain to Boulder, all while overlooking the Cache la Poudre River some 600 foot below. Th...
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