High-altitude stair climb to an alpine vista.

Statistics

0 - 1

hrs

61

m

61

m

7

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Moderate

Description

This is undoubtedly one of the most popular trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Many people who set foot on no other trail still hike this one, or at least attempt it.

That's because it starts from the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, a very crowded place during summer.

The hike is tantalizingly short, but quite steep, and reaches 12,000 feet elevation, making it difficult if you're not in decent shape.

It's all paved, and mostly just stairs from start to finish. Even for seasoned hikers, this one's worth a quick jaunt if stopping at the visitor center anyway.

Despite the crowds, you can appreciate flower-flecked alpine tundra, vistas to surrounding mountains, and you might see wildlife like marmots or mountain goats.

If nothing else, it's a welcome stretch of the legs while driving Trail Ridge Road.