Once I visited Rocky Mountain National Park, I understood why so many North Dakotans seemed to want to relocate to Colorado after college. The towering Rocky Mountains couldn’t be more different from the flat plains of North Dakota.
They mesmerize you, enchant you, make you feel protected and cozy and part of something bigger. And for me, nothing beats the feeling of standing on top of one of those peaks and gazing out over one of earth’s most spectacular landscapes.
This post highlights the hikes I did in Rocky Mountain National Park that I still dream about. I only recommend things I’ve done personally, and these are what I tell everyone headed to RMNP to hike.
Rogue tip: Download and use the AllTrails app. It tracks your GPS location so you can see if you’ve gone astray, plus shows you pictures and reviews from other hikers. I gave each trails’ exact names in the AllTrails app, so you can easily find ’em.
1. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail
Distance: 8.1 miles • Difficulty: hard • Trail type: out & back
Oh boy, what a hike. You walk past a couple of gorgeous lakes, before getting above the trees with expansive views over the forested mountains. From there, you scramble up the side of a waterfall (how freaking cool is that?), and finally reach a glacial pond (which I 10/10 recommend swimming in). Very challenging, very rewarding, and yet another reason to love the Rockies.
2. Lily Lake to Estes Cone Loop
Distance: 8.1 miles • Difficulty: hard • Trail type: out & back
On our first day hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, we tried to do an uber difficult off piece hike. Considering it was also my first proper hike ever, it wasn’t the best idea (also, don’t do hikes with only one 5-star review on AllTrails, folks).
It took about an hour for us to ditch the off piece trail, at which point the AllTrails app showed me Estes Cone just across the lake. We went for it, and I’ve never been more challenged or more rewarded.
The climb is pretty grueling (or at least it was for me), starting at the lovely Lily Lake (where we saw a moose!), working up a consistent incline and finishing with a zig zag between cairns up the final “cone” for some seriously amazing 360 views. I can’t do it justice with words. Just do. this. hike.
3. Twin Sisters Peak Trail
Distance: 7.5 mi • Difficulty: hard • Trail type: out & back
After our Sky Pond hike, we were on form the next day for this 7.5-miler. You start at Lily Lake again, but go up the other side of the valley to twin peaks (hence the name) with incredible views of the other side of the park and beyond.
It’s rated as difficult in the AllTrails app, and it was a long one, but a 60-year-old man passed us, so if he can do it, you should too.
4. Bear Lake to Lake Bierstadt
Distance: 4.4 mi • Difficulty: moderate • Trail type: out & back
If you’ve done the first three of these hikes on three consecutive days like we did, your legs just might be screaming. This shorter loop doesn’t have much elevation, so you can get your stiff muscles moving and still get some nice lake views. A great one for all skill levels.
Rocky Mountain National Park holds a special place in my heart for the variety of great hikes, the scenery, the wildlife, and the fact that I formed my love of hiking there.
What are your favorite hikes in the Colorado Rockies? Please comment, I’d love to know!