Discover the Best Hikes in Aspen, Colorado

Uncover the most epic hikes in Aspen, Colorado with this guidebook!

Greg Heil

Images

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Conundrum Hot Springs

by wanderstruck

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The Maroon Bells

by Greg Heil

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Aspens along Crater Lake trail from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Maroon Bells at start of hike from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Crater Lake at the end of this hike from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Pyramid Peak as seen from crater lake trail from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Along the crater lake trail from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Aspens just before Crater Lake from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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View at the start of the hike from personal photo collection

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Maroon Bells provided directly

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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View along the trail provided directly

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Crater Lake provided directly

by Marcel Slootheer

Creative Commons: Attribution
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The ridge between "Electric Pass Peak" and Leahy Peak

by Scott Anderson

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Just below the summit of "Electric Pass Peak"

by Scott Anderson

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Sun setting in the aspens

by Scott Anderson

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Colorful talus field.

by Scott Anderson

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The trail heading up. Cathedral Lake seen in the background.

by Scott Anderson

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The trail runs below 13,943 Cathedral Peak.

by Scott Anderson

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Approaching the summit of Leahy Peak.

by Scott Anderson

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Amazing rock formation on the ridge between "Electric Pass Peak" and Leahy Peak.

by Scott Anderson

Description

Aspen has reigned for years as one of the top hiking destinations in the state of Colorado. The majestic beauty of the Elk Range is renowned far and wide, and the collection of peaks known as the Maroon Bells is just a short drive from downtown. Regarded as some of the most recognizable and most beautiful mountains in a state known for such things, photographers flock from around the world to take their own photos of the Maroon Bells, sightseers hop on shuttle busses to view the panorama, and hikers and mountaineers begin longer adventures from the same trailhead.

As you can imagine, many of the trails around Aspen can get very crowded during the peak tourist season. This guidebook rounds up the best and most popular hikes in Aspen, and perennial favorites (and viral sensations) found in this guidebook, such as Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and the Four Pass Loop, are guaranteed to have crowds.

But there's hundreds if not thousands of miles of hiking trails near Aspen (it just depends how large you draw your circle). So if you're willing to venture a bit of the beaten path, you can easily have a fantastic adventure deep in the Elk Range all to yourself. For instance, if you skip the 14ers and head to a 13er like Electric Pass Peak, suddenly you might find yourself all alone in the majesty of the Colorado Rockies!

Adventures

Crater Lake

The quintessential Aspen hike, short mileage and big views of the infamous Maroon Bells.

Maroon Peak: South Ridge

A long day of steep, sustained hiking and scrambling up one of Colorado's most iconic mountains.

Electric Pass Peak

13,365-foot “Electric Pass Peak” is a rare 13er with a trail to the summit.