7 of the Most Iconic Trail Running Routes in Aspen, CO

Explore Aspen's legendary trails with these 7 recommended trail running routes.

Greg Heil

Images

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Upper Loop trail

by Greg Heil

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View from Star Pass

by Greg Heil

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by Peter Stabolepszy

Creative Commons: Share Alike
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Maroon Bells

by Greg Heil

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View along the trail

by Marcel Slootheer

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Maroon Bells

by Marcel Slootheer

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Crater Lake

by Marcel Slootheer

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by Jason Weiss

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by Jason Weiss

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by Jason Weiss

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by Jason Weiss

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by Jason Weiss

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by Peter Stabolepszy

Creative Commons: Attribution

Description

Aspen has reigned for years as one of the top hiking destinations in the state of Colorado. And as trail running has exploded in popularity in the past decade, runners have flocked to Aspen’s stunningly-beautiful singletrack trails in greater and greater numbers. While the trails have stayed exactly the same, the perspective on these classic routes has radically transformed.

Where hikers might take 2-4 days to complete the iconic Four Pass Loop, many competent trail runners can tackle the marathon-length route in less than a day. For a real challenge, trail runners set their sights on the 40-mile Grand Traverse Mountain Run that crosses the Elk Range from Crested Butte to Aspen.

But of course, a trail run doesn’t always have to be ultra-length to be beautiful and epic. Other runs in this guidebook, like Cathedral Lake, are much more achievable and are still stunningly beautiful. The trail options in Aspen are nearly endless, so narrow down your search for the perfect route by digging into this guidebook!

Adventures

Cathedral Lake

Run to a stunning alpine lake nestled high in the mountains.