The Iconic Trail in Colorado Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of the best things about life in Colorado is the endless opportunity to get outdoors and explore. The Centennial State is a hiker's paradise, and whether you’re after strenuous all-day treks through the mountains or more relaxed, family-friendly walks in the woods, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a peaceful stroll. If anything, Colorado’s biggest “problem” is offering too much to discover. My list of bucket list hikes in Colorado keeps growing, and there never seems to be enough time to tackle them all.

If you’ve been searching for a great hike to work toward, you’ll appreciate the spot featured today: the Cathedral Lake Trail in the White River National Forest. It’s a true adventure and definitely not for the faint of heart—but it remains one of the top hikes near Aspen, and the scenery makes every step worth it.

The Cathedral Lake Trail is a serious challenge. At approximately 5.6 miles out and back, it’s a demanding trek with rugged, mountainous terrain. The climb comes with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain, and the route can get slick, especially after heavy rainfall. Given the significant altitude at 11,866 feet, always allow time to acclimatize and carry extra water to prevent altitude sickness. The intense high-alpine sun also requires ample sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.

For those in good shape and ready to push themselves, the scenery is unmatched. The alpine lake that gives the trail its name is a brilliantly clear blue—beautiful enough to make you feel like you’ve been transported straight to the Swiss Alps.

Note that due to heavy snowpack, the trail is typically best hiked from mid-July through late September. If you’re visiting in late fall or winter, be prepared for icy conditions. Appropriate footwear is a must, and traction devices make a world of difference.

No matter when you visit, the views are breathtaking. Some hikers choose to camp by the lake, but if you start early, you’ll have no trouble making this a day hike. Most experienced hikers complete the trail in about four hours. If you opt to camp, be aware that overnight stays in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness require a permit that must be secured in advance.

As always, remember to leave no trace when exploring Colorado’s magnificent outdoor areas. Pack out everything you bring in—all food and scented items must be secured in an IGBC-approved bear-resistant container—and be careful and keep your distance if you happen to encounter any wildlife.

There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, but if you’re not in an all-terrain vehicle, you may want to park slightly farther out and add a bit of distance to your hike—the roads can be bumpy.

For more information about this epic hike near Aspen, check out the official White River National Forest page for the Cathedral Lake Trail or explore its details on AllTrails. And if you love hiking in Colorado—or anywhere else—you may want to consider a free trial of AllTrails+. It includes all the features of a standard account, plus perks like wrong-turn alerts and live location sharing, so you can feel more confident on the trail.

The Rockies offer an almost endless bounty of beautiful, challenging, and rewarding trails like Cathedral Lake, and we want to feature more of your favorites! What is the most epic, must-do hike in Colorado on your personal bucket list? Help us discover the next great adventure by sharing your suggestions through our official nomination form.