Estes Park, Colorado Hiking
To truly experience the beauty of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, you have to head out on foot. Discover the best Estes Park, Colorado hiking with these popular trails.
Hikes from Valhalla Resort
We have some great hiking just up the road from us. It is a gradual 2-3 mile loop that runs along the side of Eagle Cliff mountain, with a stream down below.
- The Bench – This is the perfect “first hike” to do the evening of your arrival. It’s a great way to adjust to the elevation, get the travel stiffness out, and take in the gorgeous views. This is also a great moderate hike for families with young children.
- Moraine Discovery Center – If you keep going past the bench, you can hike (or snowshoe in the winter) to Moraine Discovery Center. Here you can check out the on-site museum and gift shop. The RMNP shuttle picks up at Moraine Park Campground just across the road, so if you want to go even further into the park, you can catch a ride there.
- Eagle Cliff Mountain – This is a short and steep hike, providing beautiful views up top. Valhalla Resort’s cabins sit at the base of this mountain. It’s a bit of an adventure getting to the top since there’s not a well-marked trail, but it is well worth it!
Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to more than 350 miles of trails, from meandering through open meadows to uphill mountain climbs there is a trail for everyone. To help get you started, discover these popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park:
- Bear Lake is a 0.8-mile loop, with little elevation gain, around a lake, featuring spectacular mountain views and colorful leaves in the fall.
- Sprague Lake is another popular lake hike inside the park. At just under a mile, hikers enjoy beautiful sunrises and views of the Continental Divide from the trail.
- Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the park. The 1.6-mile hike runs through a forest of aspen and pine before reaching the 30-foot waterfall that cascades down to Glacier Creek.
- Cub Lake is a perfect choice if you want a slightly longer hike. The 6-mile hike gains 744 feet in elevation and brings hikers past a series of ponds and marshy meadows, eventually leading to Cub Lake.
Hikes in Estes Park
Enjoy gentle walks with these easy hikes in Estes Park:
- Lake Estes offers a nice gentle path that circles the lake. Hikers will love the beautiful mountain views, the sounds of the rushing Big Thompson River, and a walk through a bird sanctuary. The entire trail is 3.73 miles.
- Knoll Willows Trail is easily accessed right from the center of town between Wonderview Avenue and Macgregor Avenue. The hike provides views of Estes Park and the surrounding mountains, plus historical structures along the way. The entire length of the trail is one mile.