There are so many beautiful hikes to take in Colorado that sometimes it can be hard to choose just one. But we’ll make it simpler for you to create the ultimate itinerary for the best hikes in Colorado. The next time you need an easy hike loaded with beautiful views, head to Western Colorado for an easy walk along the edge of the magnificent Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in all of North America are found right here in Colorado, in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
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Cutting sharply through Western Colorado, the Black Canyon and the serpentine Gunnison River in its trough wind their way along a 48-mile path of cliff and clay from Delta to Gunnison.
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The deepest, steepest portions of the canyon have been designated a National Park, and you can access that park via a north rim entrance and a south rim entrance. Both offer excellent hiking options and gorgeous canyon views.
Philip Goldkamp/Alltrails

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But perhaps one of the best choices, if you are looking for an easy hike with a breathtaking payoff, is the Chasm View Nature Trail loop along the North Rim.
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The total hike is only about half a mile, but what a half-mile it is!
Melissa Robinson/Alltrails
The Chasm View Nature Trail is located at the end of the one-way North Rim Campground loop and passes through pinyon and juniper forests to the North Chasm View Overlook before running along the rim high above the river to a second overlook of the famous Painted Wall and Serpent Point.
Philip Goldkamp/Alltrails
You can find the North Rim Campground on Black Canyon Road near Crawford. Note that the last 7 miles of road are unpaved. Once you reach the rim, turn right toward the ranger station and campground. The campground is past the ranger station.
Philip Goldkamp/Alltrails
One note: the North Rim is closed to vehicles in the winter but open to snowshoe and cross-country ski traffic.

To learn more about the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in general and the Chasm View Nature Trail in particular, visit the NPS website. Do you think this is one of the best hikes in Colorado? Sound off in the comments section! Or if you’ve already hiked this trail, make sure to share with everyone what your experience was like!

Also, if you’re looking for an easy waterfall hike instead, try this incredible waterfall hike to Rifle Falls!

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Best Hikes in Colorado

Marisa | February 24, 2022

What's the most beautiful hike in Colorado?

The truth is, finding the most beautiful or the most scenic hikes in Colorado could be a bit subjective. While some people might think the nature trail mentioned above through the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is the most beautiful hike, others might prefer a waterfall view! However, we have a trail that might reign supreme over them all - the Ice Lakes Trail in the San Juan National Forest. This mind-blowing hiking trail in Colorado is truly spectacular, especially if you visit during the right time. Just make sure to bring a camera because the natural beauty here knows no bounds.

What are the best family-friendly hikes in Colorado?

Looking for a few easy hikes in Colorado? What about a few hiking trails where you can bring the whole family including the little ones?! Don’t worry, there are plenty of those that do exist. Usually, the best kid-friendly hikes around Colorado are the ones with minimal elevation changes and direct routes. Take the Colorow Mountain Forest Loop as the perfect example. Clocking in at under a mile in length, this loop trail is perfect for kids to get a front-row seat to nature. The pathway is smooth and the trail itself is very easy to navigate.

Which hikes in Colorado are short and sweet?

Are you searching for the best hiking trails near me that won’t take up your entire day? Look no further. We have a handful of easy and beautiful hiking trails in Colorado that everyone will love. Starting with Treasure Falls, guests will be able to meander down the quarter-mile trailhead from the road to get to a towering waterfall clocking in at over 100-feet. Also, the Garden of the Gods Perkins Central Garden Trail is just over a mile in length but offers an iconic experience through one of the most beautiful parts of the state.

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