According To Our Readers, Here Are The 11 Best Hiking Trails In Colorado

In case you missed it, there is no better place for hiking than Colorado (not that we are biased or anything!), which makes it nearly impossible to decide which hiking trails are the best of the best! Since we have given our take many times, we have decided to ask you, our knowledgable readers, for your recommendations via our Only in Colorado and Colorado Nature Lovers Facebook pages. Here is what you said:

Flickr/Bryce Bradford

Are you surprised that the Hanging Lake trail was one of the most nominated spots on our list? No? Neither were we! Nestled away just outside Glenwood Springs, the Hanging Lake Trail is a 1.2-mile trek leading to the creme de la creme of Colorado gems: the pristinely blue Hanging Lake!

Flickr/Shawn Stilwell

Tucked away outside Telluride, Bridal Veil Falls is a jaw-dropping 365-foot-tall waterfall accessible via a 1.8-mile-long trail. (Please note: This trail is deemed moderate and contains an elevation gain of a whopping 1,650 feet. Please hike with caution.)

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TripAdvisor/Marsha S

What may just be one of the best urban trails in southern Colorado is Fox Run Park, which is housed in - you guessed it! - Fox Run Regional Park. Located north of Colorado Springs, Fox Run Park boasts several trails within a scenic forest setting. Speaking of Colorado Springs trails...

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Flickr/David Wipf

You cannot go wrong with any Garden of the Gods trail; however, Strausenback Trail was the most highly recommended! Coming in at just under 2 miles, there is no better way to enjoy this great area than the red rocks and lush foliage at Strausenback.

AllTrails/Kent Micho

Crested Lake is the epitome of Colorado, and Three Lakes Loop is the epitome of Crested Butte (and, therefore, Colorado). Classified as easy, Three Lakes Loop is less than 3-miles-long and winds past lakes, waterfalls, and under towering trees.

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Flickr/Bryce Bradford

There is no place like the Paint Mines! Spanning 750 acres, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park houses stunning geologic formations with vibrant colors that date back some 9,000+ years! Which trail should you take? We recommend meandering through the entire park, so you don't miss any of this fascinating Colorado history.

AllTrails/Rita Sanders

It may sound sinister, but the 1.9-mile Devil's Kitchen Trail is actually quite lovely with its larger-than-life rock formations and 360-degree views as far as the eye can see.

AllTrails/Michael Hartigan

You knew we couldn't have a list of the best hikes in Colorado without a Rocky Mountain National Park Trail! Located just outside Estes Park, the 8.8-mile Chasm Lake is difficult but comes with an incredible payout: a unique alpine lake!

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Google/Jan Gerdts

Are you noticing a trend with all of these lake trails? There is an excellent reason for it, and Echo Lake is a perfect example. Spanning a mere 1.5 miles, Chasm Lake proves that even easy hikes can come with superb payouts (a la the namesake lake, pictured).

AllTrails/Vanessa Hamilton

If you think the name of this trail sounds sweet, wait until you visit the 1.3-mile out-and-back Sugarloaf Mountain for yourself and get a glimpse of the incredible landscape from high in the sky.

AllTrails/Tram Tran

Your eyes do not deceive you: We have TWO Boulder trails in a row, and for a great reason. Featuring meadows of wildflowers and ponderosa forests, this 1.9-mile (albeit difficult) hike is an expert outdoors(wo)men's dream come true.

For even more of our favorite trails, check out The Aptly-Named Rocky Mountain High Trail Is About As Colorado As It Gets.