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Summit County, Colorado

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Summit County

  • Swan Mountain Road, Colorado

    Sapphire Point Overlook

    3.3
    0.62 mi / 49 ft gain
    This short, 0.6 mile loop hike gives a beautiful view of Lake Dillon and is an easy, family-friendly hike. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash. The trail is clear cut and descends a few feet while looping around the side of the mountain to the overlook point.  It is definitely a worthwhil...
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  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    Hike to Old Dillon Reservoir

    4.5
    1.7 mi / 137 ft gain
    Today, Lake Dillon is one of the biggest attractions in the Dillon Valley, attracting boaters, anglers, and campers. However, the large reservoir we know today was not the first one in the area.  The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which...
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Frisco to Vail through Hike

    5.0
    13.55 mi / 3430 ft gain
    Starting at the Meadow Creek Trail head just off the turn off to Frisco this hike connects the stunning Eccles Pass and Gore Creek trails.Passing over Eccles Pass (11,917') and Red Buffalo Pass (11,742') this spectacular hike passes through dense forest, serene lakes and bubbling creeks.The Vail ...
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Hike to Eccles Pass

    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Starting at just over 9,000ft the Meadow Creek trail follows the path of the similarly named Meadow Creek. Through a canopy of aspens and pines the trail climbs at a steady, moderate rate. After a few water crossings the trees give way to an alpine meadow that offer a view of the final approach t...
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Hike Red Buffalo Pass, Frisco to East Vail

    13.2 mi / 3400 ft gain
    Starting at the Meadow Creek trailhead in Frisco, you'll find yourself ending up in East Vail at Gore Lake Trailhead. See all photos here.  The trail in Meadow Creek starts to climb at a gradual pace for the 3-4 miles, after a mile or so, take a look back upon the views of Lake Dillion. You'll ar...
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Climb Mount Royal

    4.7
    To access the trailhead, drive 4 blocks South to the end of 2nd Avenue from Frisco's Main Street. The trailhead is located around 9,075 feet.Being a popular hike, the trail is clear in the summer months and usually populated by boot prints and snowshoe tracks in the winter. Follow the trail from ...
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Mount Royal Trail

    3.98 mi / 1391 ft gain
    Mount Royal Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Frisco, Colorado.
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Hike or Snowshoe to Rainbow Lakes

    5.0
    3 mi / 250 ft gain
    You can do this hike two different ways: 1- Start from the Peaks Trail Trailhead for an out and back hike, distance is a little over 2 miles roundtrip. 2- Start along the Summit County Recreational Trail (as marked on this map), also out and back hike, total distance just over 3 miles, and provid...
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  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    Lily Pad Lake

    4.7
    3.27 mi / 531 ft gain
    Lily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...
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  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    Ptarmigan Trail

    4.57 mi / 1201 ft gain
    Ptarmigan Trail, not to be confused with Ptarmigan Peak, is a 5 mile out-and-back, scenic trail that offers unparalleled vistas of Summit County, Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding mountains(including Quandary Peak, Red Mountain, and the ​Decalibron Loop). Located just outside of Silverthorne a...
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  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    South Willow Falls

    4.6
    6.17 mi
    Start at the Willowbrook Trailhead. You’ll hit a “Y” in the trail pretty quickly - go left and you’ll soon be at the first log bridge. There are quite a few water crossings on the trail, but they are easy to maneuver. After hiking in the Willow Creek Open Space for a bit, you’ll enter Eagle’s Ne...
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Backpack to the Gore Range's Wheeler and Lost Lakes

    4.5
    10 mi / 2200 ft gain
    The range offers many remote lakes and peaks which hikers can access from various points of entry. Wheeler and Lost Lakes lie within the boundaries of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness Area.The Gore Trail begins on the north side of the CO-91 pedestrian bridge over I-70. You will follow the trail up al...
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  • Breckenridge, Colorado

    Hike the Sawmill Trail to Fairy Forest

    3.0
    1.5 mi / 250 ft gain
    If you brought the family to Breckenridge chances are you're probably not bringing the little ones on your next 14'er summit. Are you looking for an easy hike to let the kiddos experience some nature and run around a bit? Well then this short hike is perfect for you and the family. Plus, it's rig...
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  • Breckenridge, Colorado

    B&B to Reiling Dredge to Minnie Mine

    4.0
    2.84 mi / 436 ft gain
    B&B to Reiling Dredge to Minnie Mine is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Breckenridge, Colorado.
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  • Frisco, Colorado

    Backpack the Colorado Trail: Copper Mountain to Hagerman Pass

    39 mi
    The Colorado Trail (CT) runs for 483 miles from Denver to Durango, crossing through eight mountain ranges and passing through six wilderness areas. There are great resources on completing a thru-hike of the CT; this post is about Segments 8-9 of the CT from Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass.These...
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  • Breckenridge, Colorado

    Breckenridge Troll

    5.0
    0.2 mi / 26 ft gain
    Isak Heartstone, otherwise known as the Breckenridge troll, can be accessed from the Illinois Gulch Trailhead.  This trailhead can be full for much of the day, so it is advisable to find parking in town and then take a bus, walk, or bike to the starting point of this short walk.  Once at the trai...
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