Colorado Trail

The Colorado Trail is a 782 km (486 mi) point-to-point trail in Colorado, United States, stretching from Denver's Waterton Canyon to Durango across eight mountain ranges. Gaining 27,130 m (89,000 ft) of cumulative elevation over 28 segments, it is rated strenuous and stands as one of North America's premier long-distance thru-hiking routes — traversing six wilderness areas at an average elevation of 3,154 m (10,347 ft).

About the Colorado Trail

The Colorado Trail was completed in 1988 after more than a decade of volunteer effort coordinated by the Colorado Trail Foundation, the non-profit that continues to maintain and steward the route today. What began as a visionary corridor linking Denver's Front Range foothills with the rugged San Juan Mountains has evolved into one of the most complete high-altitude thru-hiking experiences in North America.

The trail spans eight distinct mountain ranges: the Front Range, Mosquito Range, Sawatch Range, Elk Mountains, San Luis Hills, La Garita Mountains, Cochetopa Hills, and the San Juan Mountains. For roughly 314 km (195 miles), the Colorado Trail shares its tread with the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), making it a vital link in the United States long-trail network and an option for hikers building toward a CDT thru-hike.

The route begins at Waterton Canyon, 40 km south of downtown Denver at an elevation of 1,682 m (5,520 ft), and finishes at the Junction Creek Trailhead near Durango at approximately 2,070 m (6,790 ft). Between these two endpoints, the trail reaches its highest point at Coney Summit in the San Juans at 4,064 m (13,334 ft). This 2,400-metre elevation range — combined with sustained sections above 3,000 m — makes altitude acclimatisation a genuine concern for hikers arriving from sea level.

At an average pace of 24–29 km (15–18 miles) per day, most thru-hikers complete the Colorado Trail in 28 to 42 days. Section hikers can access 28 official trailheads scattered along the route, making the trail highly flexible. Whether you choose to carry an ultralight pack for a fast push or take six weeks to absorb every summit and valley, the Colorado Trail rewards every hiking style.

Route Overview & Stages

The Colorado Trail is divided into 28 official segments plus five Collegiate West alternate segments — 33 sections in total. For thru-hikers, these group naturally into seven logical stages aligned with resupply towns and major terrain transitions. All distances and elevation figures are cumulative gain per stage.

Stage 4 — the Collegiate section — warrants special planning. Hikers face a choice between Collegiate East (125 km, lower elevation, better resupply access near Buena Vista and hot springs) and Collegiate West (134 km, higher altitude, more above-treeline exposure). The West option is widely considered the more spectacular of the two but requires careful water and food management across longer carries between limited resupply points.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Waterton Canyon (km 0, 1,682 m): The northern trailhead begins along a paved road following the South Platte River — a gentle 10-km warm-up before the real climbing starts. Bighorn sheep regularly patrol the canyon walls and are easiest to spot at dawn before day-use visitors arrive.
• Buffalo Creek Area (km 60–80): Ponderosa pine forest with reliable water sources and gentler terrain. A useful mental benchmark before the trail climbs decisively into the high country past the Platte River Mountains and the Lost Creek Wilderness boundary.
• Kenosha Pass (km 130, 3,115 m): The first major high point, offering sweeping views across South Park — one of Colorado's largest intermontane basins, rimmed by fourteeners in every direction. A favourite overnight spot and a common section-hike destination accessible from US Highway 285.
• Holy Cross Wilderness (km 235–270): Named for the cross-shaped snow couloir on Mount of the Holy Cross (4,269 m), this wilderness area delivers alpine lakes, talus fields, and solitary camping well above the treeline — some of the most classic Colorado backcountry terrain on the entire route.
• Collegiate Peaks (km 280–410): The crown of the Colorado Trail. The Sawatch Range holds the highest concentration of 4,000-metre summits in the United States, with Mount Harvard (4,397 m) and Mount Yale (4,327 m) towering over the valley on either side. The views from both the East and West Collegiate routes are genuinely world-class.
• San Luis Peak (km 460, 4,219 m): One of Colorado's 58 fourteeners and one of only two that lie directly on the Colorado Trail without requiring a separate detour. A clear day summit delivers a 360° panorama across the San Juan and Sawatch ranges — a highlight of Stage 5.
• Weminuche Wilderness (km 520–660): Colorado's largest wilderness area at over 1,800 km². The trail enters a landscape of granite spires, high tundra, and remote river valleys — the most remote and technically demanding section of the entire route, and for many hikers, the most rewarding.
• Silverton (km 663, 2,835 m): The last resupply town before Durango — a Victorian mining settlement accessible by the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Stock up carefully here; the final 104 km to Durango cross some of the wildest terrain remaining on the route.

Best Time to Hike the Colorado Trail

The Colorado Trail has a narrow hiking window determined by snowpack and summer monsoons. The official season runs from 1 July to 30 September, and as of 2026 this window remains the firm recommendation of the Colorado Trail Foundation — persistent high-country snow blocks most passes through June, and early season frosts above 3,500 m return by late September.

July is the single best month to begin a southbound thru-hike. Snowpack has typically cleared from the major passes by early July, wildflowers blanket the alpine meadows at peak colour, and daytime temperatures above treeline sit between 10–18 °C. The primary hazard is afternoon thunderstorms — being above treeline after 13:00 is strongly inadvisable across Colorado's exposed ridgelines.

August brings the monsoon season in earnest. Daily rain between 13:00 and 17:00 across the San Juans is near-certain, but storms are typically brief and intense rather than all-day events. An early start — on trail by 06:00 — is essential, and a waterproof shell rated to sustained rain is non-negotiable. Managing daily caloric intake during August is also critical; cold and wet conditions accelerate energy expenditure significantly.

September sees the monsoons diminish, crowds thin noticeably, and the aspen groves across South Park and the lower valleys ignite in brilliant gold. Overnight temperatures above 3,500 m routinely drop below freezing from mid-September, so a sleeping bag rated to at least −5 °C is essential. Northbound hikers typically leave Durango in late July, arriving in the San Juans after peak monsoon intensity before reaching the Front Range in cooler September conditions.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Colorado Trail is fundamentally a backcountry camping experience. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the six national forests the trail crosses. Most hikers carry a lightweight shelter — a double-wall tent, trekking-pole tarp, or bivy — and camp on durable surfaces at least 60 m from water, trails, and other parties. There are no staffed mountain huts on the Colorado Trail itself; between resupply towns, hikers are entirely self-sufficient.

In trail towns, hostel and budget accommodation fills the gap between trail days. Leadville (km 230) offers Inn the Clouds hostel at approximately €25–35 per night. Salida (km 407) has the Simple Lodge hostel at €30–40 per night, well equipped for thru-hikers with laundry and kitchen access. Silverton (km 663) has the Avon Hotel with hostel-style rooms at €35–50 per night. Private motel rooms across trail towns range from €70–120. Breckenridge (km 190) and Lake City (km 536) also offer hostel and motel options, though at higher price points given their resort-town character.

Getting There & Back

The northern trailhead at Waterton Canyon is 40 km south of Denver International Airport (DEN). From Denver, the RTD light rail network runs to Mineral Station; from there, a rideshare to Waterton Canyon costs approximately €55–70. Using RTD to Littleton first significantly reduces rideshare distance and cost. Parking at Waterton Canyon itself is limited and not recommended for vehicles left for a 30-day thru-hike.

The southern terminus near Durango is served by Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO), with connecting flights from Denver taking approximately one hour. Greyhound and FlixBus link Durango to Denver in 7–9 hours for budget-conscious finishers. For point-to-point logistics, flying into Denver and out of Durango is the most practical arrangement — no car required, and the return journey becomes a straightforward shuttle or bus connection.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike or camp on the Colorado Trail as of 2026. The trail itself is free to access. However, wilderness-specific regulations apply within designated areas: in the Holy Cross Wilderness and Weminuche Wilderness, camping must be at least 45 m from water sources, trails, and other groups, and party sizes are capped at 15 people. Bear-resistant food canisters or Ursacks are required in portions of the Weminuche. Any section that enters Rocky Mountain National Park requires a separate backcountry camping permit, available at recreation.gov for approximately €26 per night per party.

Gear & Packing List

The Colorado Trail demands a versatile, weather-ready kit. Base pack weight below 7 kg is strongly advisable for a 30–42 day haul — every gram compounds over 782 km. Most thru-hikers consume 3,500–5,000 kcal per day at sustained altitude, so food carries between resupply towns must be planned precisely across five to eight days of rations.

For your pack, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L at around 510 g is a favourite among Colorado Trail thru-hikers — large enough for six-day food carries with minimal weight penalty. The Osprey Aether 65 suits hikers who prioritise structured load transfer over minimum weight, with a suspension system that handles the sustained climbs above Leadville and Salida. For a more minimalist approach, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider keeps packweight under 500 g without sacrificing wet-weather performance in the San Juans.

Beyond the pack: a waterproof shell rated to sustained mountain rain (essential August through September), trekking poles for scree and river crossings, a water filter (Sawyer Squeeze is the trail standard), a bear canister or Ursack for the Weminuche, and high-SPF sun protection for extended above-treeline exposure — UV intensity at 4,000 m is significantly higher than at sea level.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Colorado Trail's combination of sustained high altitude, remote wilderness, and well-spaced resupply towns is rare in US long-distance hiking. For a dramatic contrast in canyon terrain, the South Kaibab Trail and North Kaibab Trail together form the classic Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim crossing — achievable in two days, yet atmospherically overwhelming. In the Sierra Nevada, the Clouds Rest Trail in Yosemite delivers granite panoramas that rival the Sawatch Range at its finest. For a compact technical adventure in desert sandstone, the Hidden Canyon Trail in Zion National Park offers a very different kind of exposure. California's Panorama Trail in Yosemite Valley is a shorter loop with outsized visual payoff. Hikers drawn to the self-reliant spirit of mountain-to-mountain routes in Europe will find the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania shares much of the Colorado Trail's wild, independent character in a dramatically different alpine landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Colorado Trail?

The optimal window is 1 July to 30 September, with early July ideal for southbound thru-hikers. Snow clears most high passes by the first week of July, wildflowers peak mid-July, and afternoon thunderstorms are manageable with early starts. September brings golden aspens and fewer crowds but requires a sleeping bag rated to −5 °C as overnight temperatures drop sharply at altitude.

How difficult is the Colorado Trail?

The Colorado Trail is rated strenuous. Sustained altitude is the primary challenge — the trail averages 3,154 m (10,347 ft) and rarely drops below 2,700 m for days at a stretch. Cumulative elevation gain of 27,130 m (89,000 ft) over 782 km demands strong cardiovascular fitness and prior multi-day backpacking experience. Route-finding is generally clear with the FarOut app, but above-treeline navigation in storms requires solid map and compass skills.

How many kilometres per day should I plan?

Most thru-hikers average 24–32 km (15–20 miles) per day on the Colorado Trail. Plan the first week conservatively — 18–22 km daily — to allow altitude acclimatisation and to condition your feet. Resupply logistics largely determine pace: food carries between towns span five to eight days, with the La Garita and Weminuche wilderness sections requiring larger loads and correspondingly slower daily mileage.

Is accommodation available along the route?

The Colorado Trail has no staffed huts — it is primarily a backcountry camping route. Hostel and budget accommodation is available in five key resupply towns: Leadville, Breckenridge, Salida, Lake City, and Silverton, with hostel beds costing €25–50 per night. Between towns, all camping is dispersed and permit-free in national forests, though wilderness-specific regulations on group size, campfire use, and distance from water must be followed throughout.

Do I need a permit to hike the Colorado Trail?

No permit is required for the Colorado Trail itself or for camping in the six national forests it crosses. However, wilderness areas along the route — particularly the Weminuche Wilderness — enforce strict camping regulations around group size, campfire restrictions, and proximity to water. Any entry into Rocky Mountain National Park requires a separate backcountry permit available at recreation.gov, costing approximately €26 per night per party.