For those of us who love nothing more than to get outdoors and enjoy incredible views from up above, there’s no place like Colorado. Our high elevations draw in visitors from all over the country, many of whom are making the trip to the Centennial State to take on our best mountains. While we have plenty of trails that are short and sweet, many of which are only under five miles long, there’s nothing like challenging yourself to one of our most strenuous hikes. It might be hard, but it’s easily one of the best hikes in Colorado. Think you can handle it? Check it out!

Colorado's Barr Trail has earned quite the dangerous reputation over the years. It's well-known as a trail that will get your blood pumping,
mark byzewski/Flickr
Right within the Pike National Forest beginning in Manitou Springs, you can find one of the most difficult trails that you'll ever explore inside Colorado.
Gaining over 7,000 feet in elevation over the course of this 13 miles, Barr Trail's vertical challenges aren't the only thing that make it so dangerous.
lxbrianWikimedia Commons
While the trail is loved by many of our residents as a great place to get some exercise, the Barr Trail has become problematic over the years for several reasons. Beginning in Manitou Springs and concluding at the Pikes Peak Summit, this trail is always rated as difficult and strenuous.

Related Stories

There's A Trail Hiding In A Colorado Mountain Range Where You Can Camp Year-Round

There's A Trail Hiding In A Colorado Mountain Range Where You Can Camp Year-Round

 5 Totally Kid-Friendly Hikes In Colorado That Are 1 Mile And Under

5 Totally Kid-Friendly Hikes In Colorado That Are 1 Mile And Under

 Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Colorado

Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Colorado
Since 2000, Colorado has seen 50 lightning strikes, roughly half of which have involved hikers and those who were camping.
Pmsyyz/Wikimedia Commons
What many consider to be the most difficult trail in all of the Pikes Peak region, it'll serve you well to keep an eye on the forecast and weather while you're exploring the Barr Trail.
Chances of lightning strikes are most common after 11:00 a.m., so those exploring the Barr Trail are advised to be off of the mountain by noon.
Janet D./Yelp
Janet D./Yelp
With never-ending views from Pikes Peak, there's no need to rationalize to us why you would want to climb this mountain. But, if you find that the weather looks iffy along the way? Stop what you're doing and head back to the trailhead. The most popular areas for lightning to strike surround the 14,000 foot peak, making it a place that you won't want to be during bad weather and lightning storms.

Have you ever had the courage to take on this entire trail? To get out into nature even more, try taking an adventure to this Remote, Isolated Spot In Our State That’s Absolutely Breathtaking!

What are your choices for the best hikes in Colorado? Tell us about it by filling out this form!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Hikes in Colorado

Tori Jane | March 03, 2022

What are some great kid-friendly hikes around Colorado?  

For the purpose of this answer, we’ll go ahead and define a “kid-friendly” trail as one that is not only rated as easy but is also under two miles in length. In that case, there are TONS of hikes left to choose from – after all, Colorado’s only home to more than 5,000 trails. Some of our favorite, incredibly scenic kid-friendly hikes around Colorado include gems like Dream Lake Trail, which is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park and is two miles long exactly. It’s an out-and-back trail and no dogs are allowed, so plan accordingly (kids are, though). Also within Rocky Mountain National Park are amazing hikes like the Alberta Falls Trail, which is 1.6 miles long and features a breathtaking waterfall, and Bear Lake Nature Trail, which is less than one mile long (0.7 miles) and has splendid mountain views as well as a lake. Finally, check out the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail, which is 1.9 miles and sometimes requires a permit to access.  

What are the most popular easy hikes in Colorado?  

Like we said above, with more than 5,000 hikes in Colorado to choose from, there’s a huge selection of easy hikes that are both leisurely AND scenic. Some of our favorites include the above-mentioned Dream Lake and Alberta Falls Trails, but there are so many more trails in Colorado than just the ones within Rocky Mountain National Park (though those trails ARE all amazing). Check out the one-and-a-half-mile-long Red Rocks Trading Post Trail, which is found at Red Rocks Park and features awesome geological formations. If you’re a fan of lake hikes, check out Lily Pad Lake Trail, a 3.3-mile trek through the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Want some more ideas? Check this article out for some of Colorado’s most ridiculously awesome waterfall hikes.  

Related Articles

Explore Colorado

Featured Addresses
Barr Trail, Colorado, USA