The Best Rock Climbing in Colorado

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

Climb and Hike in the Garden of the Gods

4.7

If you are new to the area a stop by the visitor center can helpful to get a map of the trails and roads in the area as well as obtaining a climbing permit (one is needed to climb and is free).Once you have entered the area there are multiple trails and pull outs that you can explore. Many of the trails are paved and most of the year easy to follow. During the summer expect crowds during the da...
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Backpack to Mirror and Crater Lakes

4.6

15 mi / 2500 ft gain

Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as it rises through the forest. The trail continues to rise steadily in places and moderate in others u...
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Explore the Maroon Bells & Snowmass Wilderness

5.0

The beautiful and iconic Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness is home to some of the most amazing scenery and adventures to be had in all of Colorado. It is world famous for the Maroon Bells, two challenging 14ers just outside of Aspen Colorado. The third 14er, Pyramid Peak is also considered a classic hike and all serve as sentinels to an wonderfully scenic wilderness area. If you're making a quic...
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Hike 14er Mount Bierstadt

4.6

7 mi / 2850 ft gain

If you’re ready to lose your 14er virginity, Mount Bierstadt holds a reputation for a great “starter” 14er. Of course, experienced climbers will enjoy this (relatively speaking) easy mountain as well. Besides the joy of the hike itself, Bierstadt is a stunning wildflower hike in July and August. Thanks to an expansive valley floor, views of the surrounding peaks (including other Front Range 14e...
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Hike to the 1st Flatiron

4.6

2.4 mi / 1422 ft gain

Starting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) turn right onto the 1st/2nd Flatiron trail (0.7 mi.). Follow this trail over a rock slide, twice, and p...
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Hike Bear Peak

4.8

7 mi / 2810 ft gain

The best advice I can give you? Wake up early to start this hike.Even though the Bear Peak hike will only take you about 4-5 hours round trip, it will still be advantageous to get off the mountain before afternoon and evening storms might pass through. This is a steep 7-mile out and back trail.Start at the South Mesa Trailhead. Take Eldorado Springs Drive until there's a dirt road turnoff; take...
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Hike Mount Sanitas & Settlers Park

4.4

3.1 mi

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. From the parking lot off of Mapleton Road, cross the bridge and stay to the left at both of the fork...
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Hike or Bike Matthews/Winters Park

4.0

4.5 mi

Matthews/Winters Park, which is part of the Jefferson County Open Space system, is proof that you do not have to go far from the city to enjoy the mountains. Nestled in the foothills between Golden and Morrison just off I-70 and C-470, Matthews/Winters is easy to access from Denver and any of the foothill communities. But don’t be fooled by its proximity to the city: this park is really beautif...
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Summit Longs Peak

5.0

14.5 mi / 5100 ft gain

For the most part, this hike is very straightforward, so I'll essentially skip over the first 5.5 or so miles of the hike, but, in case you don't know: Start (very early so you get a parking spot) from the trailhead right next to the parking lot (the road to it is paved - seriously this mountain is the most accessible thing ever), and walk up the very easy and very well maintained trail throug...
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Hike Lumpy Ridge to Gem Lake

4.3

3.5 mi / 950 ft gain

Begin by parking at the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, which is a couple miles outside of Estes Park on McGregor Avenue. At the trailhead, there are numerous signs indicating hiking trails, climbing routes, and other information about the area. After parking start hiking on the trail to the right of the bathrooms. The trail continues for approximately ~1.8 miles to Gem Lake. The trail climbs steadily ...
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Hike the Red Rocks Trail

4.0

6 mi

While this is a 6 mile hike, it is relatively easy to add mileage to it and tailor it to fit your needs. Instead of simply doing the Red Rocks Trail/Morrison Slide loop, you can head all the way to the Village Walk trail in Matthews-Winters. You can also park along Red Rocks Trail Road and eliminate .70 miles from the journey.In the winter, the north sides of all the mountains are pretty snow c...
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Hike the Golden Cliffs Trail

5.0

From here, you can choose a few different hiking paths. This out-and-back trek starts at the trailhead up and to the left. Along the way you'll pass a bench dedicated to Craig Luebben — a writer, photographer and climbing guide. At this point, you probably haven't even broken a sweat yet. It's time to continue on.Keep following the trail along the bottom of the mountain until you reach a rock s...
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Hike above Black Lake to an Alpine Paradise

5.0

12.3 mi / 3400 ft gain

Begin at the popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Arrive VERY early for parking as the lot typically fills by 7:30 am. For the best photography options - choose to either backpack into the Glacier Gorge campsite (reservations must be made early in the season) or begin at 3:00 am to reach the best views by sunrise. There are many options along thi...
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HIke to Mills Lake

4.8

6.2 mi / 940 ft gain

Start hiking at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead down the bear lake road in rocky mountain national park. The trailhead is very popular so it can be difficult to find a parking place at times. From Glacier Gorge, follow the obvious trail and signs towards mills lake. In the summer the trail will go past Alberta Falls (0.85 miles from the trailhead) and continue climbing through forest with occasion...
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Scramble Angel's Way

5 mi / 1000 ft gain

Angel's Way is an amazing 8 pitch rock climb scramble (5.2) that is tucked away in Skunk Canyon, hidden from the crowds of Chautauqua. The best part of this scramble is you only need your climbing shoes and chalk-bag. It is similar to the 'Free Way' on the Second Flatiron. I would encourage everyone in doing this climb to: A) Be a confident rock-climber. You won't enjoy yourself if you're q...
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Hike South Boulder Peak

4.5

6.7 mi / 2900 ft gain

Starting at the Mesa trailhead, continue a half a mile through a relatively even grade before arriving at the North Fork Shanahan trailhead, which will take you another half a mile on much steeper grade up to Fern Canyon where you will start a much harder portion of the hike; here, you'll head straight up the mountain through a heavily forested area filled with streams and an abundance of wildl...
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