Colorado Trail Voyage Tips and guide

The Colorado Trail is a premier long-distance trail stretching 486 mi (782 km) from Denver to Durango. It traverses the stunning Rocky Mountains, passing through eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, and six wilderness areas. This itinerary provides a framework for thru-hiking or section-hiking this breathtaking and challenging trail.

The Colorado Trail is a premier long-distance trail stretching 486 miles through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It offers deep immersion into the high-altitude ecosystems of Colorado, passing through ancient forests and six distinct Wilderness Areas. While the trail is steeped in the history of the American West, hikers today will primarily encounter a rugged mountain culture and a community of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts. This journey requires significant backpacking experience and high-level physical fitness, as the trail remains at high elevations for most of its duration.

No permits are required for the trail itself, though you must sign in at trailheads when entering Wilderness Areas. Travelers must carry everything in a backpack; the terrain is rugged, steep, and entirely unsuitable for carts, baby carriages, or wheelchairs. Proper gear is vital, including high-quality rain gear for monsoon season and versatile layers for freezing temperatures.

Hikers must carry their own food and a camping stove, as there are no restaurants or shops directly on the trail. Resupply is typically handled by hitching or trekking into nearby mountain towns like Breckenridge, Leadville, Salida, and Silverton. Many hikers mail resupply boxes to post offices in these towns in advance. A bear canister is highly recommended for food storage to prevent wildlife encounters.

Water can be sourced from various streams, lakes, and snowmelt along the route, but it is not potable and must be treated. While water is generally abundant, some sections—particularly on the Cochetopa Hills—can be dry, requiring hikers to carry several liters. It is essential to use a filter, ultraviolet purifier, or chemical treatment to prevent Giardia.

Accommodations are rare on the trail, so a tent and a complete sleep system are mandatory. Due to high-altitude cold, a sleeping bag rated for at least 20 °F (−7 °C) is recommended. There is no electricity or artificial light available at campsites. Wild camping is permitted along most of the trail, provided you follow Leave No Trace principles and camp away from water sources.

The trail is best hiked from late June to early September. Early-season hikers may face significant snowpack that obscures the trail, while July and August are characterized by "monsoon" weather, bringing frequent and dangerous afternoon thunderstorms. Hikers should plan to be below the treeline by noon to avoid lightning strikes.

The two termini of the Colorado Trail are near major transportation hubs.

Northern Terminus (Waterton Canyon, Denver): Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN ^IATA). From the airport, you can use a combination of public transport and ride-sharing services to reach the trailhead southwest of the city.

Southern Terminus (Durango): Fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO ^IATA). The southern terminus is located just outside of Durango.

Map of Colorado Trail

The trail is divided into 28 segments. This provides a general overview.

The Colorado Trail sets out along the wide gravel road through 39.485-105.1061 Platte Canyon.  , gradually following the South Platte River upstream with sheer canyon walls and the chance to spot bighorn sheep along the way. After about 10 km the road ends at Strontia Springs Dam, where the route narrows to a forested singletrack and begins its first real climb. Switchbacks lead up through ponderosa pine and fir before the path levels out on a ridge, then descends toward the 39.400429-105.1678972 South Platte River Trailhead.  , where a footbridge marks the end of this opening stage.

Leaving the cottonwoods along the South Platte, the trail climbs steadily on sun-baked switchbacks into the Buffalo Creek burn scar, wide open country with big views and very little shade. Once on the plateau, the grade relaxes into rolling singletrack through scattered ponderosa and meadows, crossing a few sandy drainages and old roads. It is an exposed, wind-washed 11.5 miles with no reliable water after the river, so start full and plan to dry-carry. The tread finally glides down a mellow, open stretch to the 39.343669-105.2573643 Little Scraggy Trailhead at FS 550/Deckers Road.

The trail continues on pleasant forest paths from Little Scraggy Trailhead. The route rolls gently at first before gaining elevation, offering airy views over the surrounding hills. After a steady climb, the path crests a ridge and begins a long descent through mixed woodland and pockets of open ground, where wildflowers are abundant in summer. The stage ends at 39.338351-105.4012024 Wellington Lake Road, a quiet junction that provides access to the nearby lake and marks the close of this varied and scenic section.

From Wellington Lake Road the trail climbs gradually into the Lost Creek Wilderness, passing through dense pine forest before opening onto ridgelines with sweeping views of granite domes and wide valleys. The route alternates between shaded woodland and open meadows rich in wildflowers, with occasional rock formations and clearings that reveal the rugged landscape ahead. A final descent through mixed forest brings the stage to 39.347521-105.6190085 Long Gulch.

From Long Gulch the trail continues deeper into the Lost Creek Wilderness, climbing gradually through forested slopes before breaking into open alpine meadows. Expansive views emerge across rolling tundra ridges, with wildflowers brightening the high pastures in summer and wide panoramas stretching toward the high peaks of the Continental Divide. The path undulates across open country before descending through stands of spruce and aspen to reach 39.4133-105.7576 Kenosha Pass , where broad views westward mark the transition to Colorado’s high mountains.

From Kenosha Pass the trail rises steadily across open meadows, where sweeping views of South Park give way to the rugged spine of the Continental Divide. Entering forest, the route climbs through stands of spruce and fir toward Georgia Pass, the first crossing above 11,000 feet, where expansive alpine panoramas unfold across jagged peaks and wide valleys. From the pass the trail descends on rocky singletrack through high forest and meadows, eventually dropping into the Blue River valley, with the ski slopes of Breckenridge visible ahead as the stage ends at the Gold Hill Trailhead.

From the Goldhill Trailhead the route climbs steadily through lodgepole forest and beetle-kill clearings before following Miners Creek up toward the crest of the Tenmile Range. After a long ascent the trail breaks above treeline for nearly four miles, traversing a high ridge between Peaks 5 and 6 at just under 12,500 ft, with sweeping views over Breckenridge, Lake Dillon, and the Copper Mountain ski slopes. From the ridgeline the path descends sharply, joining the Wheeler Trail before dropping into the valley and ending at 39.506667-106.1422227MISSING WIKILINK Copper Mountain near Highway 91.

From Copper Mountain the trail climbs steeply through dense forest beside Guller Creek, soon breaking into open meadows and continuing upward toward Searle Pass. Broad alpine basins and long views across the Gore and Tenmile ranges open as the path crosses above treeline, followed by a high traverse toward Kokomo Pass at nearly 12,000 ft. The route then descends through wide meadows and spruce forest, passing the remnants of old mining camps before continuing north through the rolling terrain of Camp Hale. Gentle woodland and open valleys lead the final miles to 39.3214-106.3118 Tennessee Pass on Highway 24.

From Tennessee Pass the trail moves gently through fragrant pine groves and across bubbling streams before ascending moderately into the Holy Cross Wilderness. After crossing Lily Lake Road and Wurts Ditch, the route climbs toward Porcupine Lakes around mile 7, where sweeping ridgeline views open toward Galena Mountain. A gradual rise leads to the segment’s high point near 11,700 ft, offering broad vistas of the Mosquito Range and Arkansas Valley, before descending through alpine meadows dotted with ponds and wildflowers to Timberline Lake Trailhead. The final stretch continues toward 39.151502-106.4194039 Mount Massive Trailhead, descending into the Mount Massive Wilderness—an expanse of high alpine terrain leading to the trailhead near the base of Colorado’s second-highest peak

From the Mount Massive Trailhead the route climbs steadily through spruce and fir forest, with side trails branching toward Mount Massive itself before the Colorado Trail bends south along the flanks of Mount Elbert. Broad traverses offer glimpses of Colorado’s two tallest peaks, and a spur trail provides access to the Mount Elbert summit for those seeking a detour. The path then descends gradually through wooded slopes and open meadows, giving way to long views over the Arkansas Valley. The stage ends at the 39.085363-106.33663810 Twin Lakes Reservoir , where the trail follows the shoreline with striking panoramas across the water to the Sawatch Range.

From Twin Lakes the trail crosses the dam and follows the shoreline before turning west into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. A steady climb through lodgepole and aspen forest leads to expansive meadows and open ridges with views toward the high Sawatch peaks. The route continues upward to Hope Pass at over 12,500 ft, one of the most challenging climbs on the Colorado Trail, where sweeping alpine panoramas stretch in every direction. From the pass the path descends steeply through dense forest into Clear Creek Canyon, finishing at Clear Creek Road.

From Clear Creek Road the trail climbs steadily back into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, winding through thick spruce forest and opening onto meadows with clear views of the surrounding summits. The ascent continues past cascading streams and alpine basins before topping out near Lake Ann, a striking cirque lake set beneath the jagged ridge of the Continental Divide. After crossing Lake Ann Pass at over 12,500 ft, the trail drops sharply through talus slopes and forested switchbacks, eventually easing into gentler terrain as it follows Silver Creek down to 38.865561-106.24117811 Silver Creek Trailhead.

From Silver Creek Trailhead the trail climbs quickly into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, gaining elevation through dense pine forest before emerging into high meadows with wide views of the Sawatch Range. A long ascent leads toward the Continental Divide, where the path traverses near 12,000 ft with expansive panoramas of rugged peaks and deep valleys. The route then descends gradually through alpine basins and spruce forest, crossing several streams before dropping into the Chalk Creek drainage and reaching 38.716854-106.20002112 Chalk Creek Trailhead along the highway near Mount Princeton Hot Springs.

From Chalk Creek Trailhead the trail ascends through forested slopes toward the crest of the Continental Divide, opening onto high ridgelines with commanding views of the Collegiate Peaks. The route traverses above treeline for several miles near 12,000 ft, with sweeping panoramas of the Arkansas Valley to the east and the rugged Sawatch Range to the west. Gradual descents through alpine basins and scattered meadows follow, before the path drops back into dense forest and winds down to reach US 50 near 38.4967-106.32513 Monarch Pass .

From US 50 the trail climbs steadily through lodgepole forest and aspen groves, gaining the crest of the Continental Divide before settling into a long traverse along open ridgelines. Much of the route holds near or above 11,000 ft, with wide views south across the Cochetopa Hills and back toward the Sawatch Range. The path alternates between airy alpine meadows and shaded stretches of spruce before a gradual descent leads to the historic 38.3914-106.24714 Marshall Pass , once a rail crossing, where the stage ends.

From Marshall Pass the trail continues along the Continental Divide, winding through spruce forest and open tundra as it climbs above 12,000 ft. The route follows a series of broad ridges with far-reaching views of the San Luis Valley on one side and the jagged Sawatch summits on the other. High alpine meadows and long stretches above treeline dominate this stage, making it one of the most exposed and scenic parts of the trail. After several miles of rolling high country, the path descends gradually into the Cochetopa Hills, finishing at the 38.023571-106.83635315 Eddiesville Trailhead near Stewart Creek, gateway to San Luis Peak.

From Eddiesville Trailhead the trail follows Stewart Creek briefly before climbing back onto high ridges of the Cochetopa Hills, where long, open stretches above treeline provide sweeping views over the San Luis Valley. Rolling tundra and broad meadows dominate much of this stage, with elk often seen grazing in the distance. Gradually the route descends from alpine country into gentler terrain, dropping into the drainage of 38.118074-106.75246416 Cochetopa Creek, where the stage comes to an end in wide valley pastureland bordered by forested slopes.

From Cochetopa Creek the trail climbs steadily through forest and meadows before regaining the crest of the Cochetopa Hills. Long stretches of open country follow, with rolling tundra and broad ridges offering continuous views over the San Luis Valley and distant San Juan peaks. The route remains mostly above 11,000 ft with little tree cover, crossing expansive grasslands before gradually descending toward 38.150091-106.68913317 Saguache Park Road at the edge of a wide open basin.

From Saguache Park Road the trail ascends gently through open forest and meadows before returning to high ridges of the La Garita Mountains. The route soon breaks above treeline, traversing long stretches of tundra with sweeping views across the San Luis Valley and toward the jagged peaks of the San Juans. Rolling along the Continental Divide at elevations near 12,000 ft, the trail passes broad alpine basins and winds between rounded summits before gradually descending to 37.970554-106.97279418 San Luis Pass at the base of San Luis Peak.

From San Luis Pass the trail follows the Continental Divide across vast alpine country, rolling along high ridgelines with nearly continuous views over the San Juan Mountains. Much of the stage stays above 12,000 ft, traversing open tundra and circling broad basins where snow often lingers well into summer. The route crosses several airy saddles and skirts beneath rounded summits before beginning a gradual descent through meadows and scattered spruce, eventually reaching 37.9408-107.15919 Spring Creek Pass along Highway 149.

From Spring Creek Pass the trail climbs quickly back above treeline, gaining the Continental Divide and staying high for nearly the entire stage. The route traverses broad tundra plateaus and airy ridgelines, with sweeping views over the San Juan Mountains and deep valleys dropping away on either side. Much of the segment remains near or above 12,000 ft, making it one of the most elevated stretches of the Colorado Trail, before a rolling traverse leads to 37.856128-107.36778920 Carson Saddle Trailhead near the site of old mining ruins.

From Carson Saddle the trail keeps to the high country, winding across alpine tundra and rounded ridges with nearly unbroken views of the San Juans. The route passes old mining relics near Cataract Lake before continuing along the Continental Divide, often above 12,500 ft. Long stretches above treeline give a sense of remoteness as the trail rolls between broad saddles and open basins, with wildflowers brightening the slopes in summer. A steady descent along exposed ridgelines then leads to 37.7953-107.54921 Stony Pass , overlooking the headwaters of the Rio Grande.

From Stony Pass the trail traverses some of the most remote and dramatic terrain of the Colorado Trail, staying high on the Continental Divide for mile after mile. The route crosses broad alpine plateaus and airy ridges often above 12,000 ft, with constant views over the jagged San Juan peaks. Long stretches above treeline alternate with descents into deep glacial basins carved by streams and dotted with wildflowers. The trail passes near the Grenadier Range and climbs once more through open tundra before descending steadily to 37.7378-107.69822 Molas Pass , where the highway crossing offers a sharp contrast to the wild country behind.

From Molas Pass the trail reenters wilderness on a steady climb through spruce and fir forest, soon breaking into open meadows with far-reaching views of the San Juan high country. The route rolls along alpine benches and ridges near 12,000 ft, skirting the headwaters of the Cascade and Hermosa creeks. Expansive tundra stretches and wildflower-filled basins dominate much of the stage, with jagged peaks rising in the distance. After a long traverse above treeline the trail descends gradually through high meadows and forested slopes to reach 37.713118-107.90349123 Bolam Pass Road.

From Bolam Pass Road the trail continues along the San Juan high country, weaving between dense spruce forest and open alpine meadows bright with wildflowers in summer. The route undulates near 11,000 ft, offering frequent views of rugged peaks to the west and south, while crossing the headwaters of several clear streams. Occasional clearings give wide panoramas across the La Plata Mountains before the path descends gradually through woodland to reach 37.649512-107.95686324 Hotel Draw Road.

From Hotel Draw Road the trail climbs gradually through spruce and fir forest before breaking into expansive meadows scattered with wildflowers. The route then ascends steadily toward the crest of the San Juans, with long traverses across open slopes and sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. A final push leads above treeline to 37.691553-107.97060225 Blackhawk Pass at nearly 12,000 ft, where broad alpine panoramas stretch across rugged ridges and deep valleys on both sides.

From Blackhawk Pass the trail descends through alpine meadows before winding into dense spruce and fir forest, where streams cut through narrow valleys. The route rolls over a series of ridges and clearings, alternating between shaded woodland and open slopes with views toward the La Plata Mountains. Gradually the trail drops into the Straight Creek drainage, following the valley floor alongside tumbling water to the stage’s end.

From Straight Creek the trail makes a final climb along forested ridges before beginning its long descent toward Durango. The route gradually loses elevation through pine and aspen groves, opening onto meadows with expansive views back toward the San Juan Mountains. As the path drops lower, the landscape shifts to drier hillsides dotted with juniper and sage, with red-rock outcrops appearing near the edge of town. The Colorado Trail ends at 37.331377-107.90289326 Junction Creek Trailhead just outside Durango, where a footbridge marks the close of the 485-mile journey from Denver.

An alternate, higher-elevation route that splits from the main trail at Twin Lakes and rejoins near Monarch Pass. It is generally considered more scenic and more challenging.

Safety is a paramount concern on the Colorado Trail due to its high-altitude environment and varied wildlife. Because the route rarely drops below 8,000 feet and frequently exceeds 12,000 feet, hikers must acclimatize properly, maintain constant hydration, and be prepared to descend immediately if symptoms of altitude sickness occur. The landscape is home to black bears and mountain lions, necessitating strict food storage protocols and knowledge of safety procedures, as well as caution around potentially aggressive moose. Weather conditions are equally rigorous; afternoon thunderstorms pose a lethal lightning risk above the treeline—making it vital to clear high passes by noon—and snow or freezing temperatures can strike during any month. Finally, while water is generally accessible from mountain streams, it must always be treated or filtered to prevent illness.

After completing the trail, your adventure doesn't have to end. From the northern terminus, you can explore Denver, a vibrant city offering numerous cultural and recreational opportunities. Near the southern terminus, you can discover the historic mining town of Durango and take a memorable ride on the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. For those looking to continue their long-distance hiking journey, the Colorado Trail shares a significant portion of its route with the Continental Divide Trail, offering a natural connection to an even grander trek.