The 17 Best Fall Hikes in Colorado for Aspen Colors

Golden aspen tunnels, alpine lakes and easy family loops from Breckenridge to the Maroon Bells, some crowded in late September and some nearly empty. Which trail wins your fall? Cast your vote!

1. 1
   Maroon Lake Scenic Trail

   The easy lakeside walk that frames the Maroon Bells in peak aspen color near Aspen.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Aspen Alley

   Breckenridge's 2.6-mile out-and-back through a tunnel of aspens, ending at Boreas Pass.
   670pts
3. 3
   Lost Lake Slough

   A Kebler Pass-area trail with an aspen-lined lake and views of the Raggeds.
   487pts
4. 4
   Cub Lake Trail

   A Rocky Mountain National Park trail through the Moraine Park valley and aspen stands to a lily-pad lake.
   487pts
5. 5
   Bierstadt Lake Trail

   A Rocky Mountain National Park trail through aspen and pine to a lake with Continental Divide views.
   422pts
6. 6
   Crater Lake Trail

   A 3.6-mile hike beyond Maroon Lake through golden aspen groves to a glacial lake beneath the Bells.
   422pts
7. 7
   Kenosha Pass

   A Colorado Trail section south of Denver famed for one of the state's largest aspen groves.
   422pts
8. 8
   Baker's Tank

   A loop through dense aspen forest on Boreas Pass Road that ends near the Boreas ghost town.
   345pts
9. 9
   Sawmill Lake Trail

   A short family-friendly loop in Breckenridge to a lake backed by the Tenmile Range.
   345pts
10. 10
    Cathedral Lake Trail

    A steep Castle Creek Valley climb near Aspen through aspen forest to an alpine lake.
    345pts
11. 11
    Eaglesmere Lake Trail

    A 7.4-mile out-and-back through Eagles Nest Wilderness with many aspen viewpoints and fewer crowds.
    345pts
12. 12
    Rampart Reservoir

    A scenic lake loop above Colorado Springs bordered by aspens and Pikes Peak views.
    253pts
13. 13
    Mueller State Park Outlook Ridge

    A Mueller State Park loop near Divide with aspen groves and Pikes Peak views.
    253pts
14. 14
    Hunter Creek Trail

    A trail climbing from Aspen's east side through aspen groves and meadows along Hunter Creek.
    0pts
15. 15
    Mayflower Gulch

    A Summit County valley trail with aspen at the base and old mining ruins beneath Fletcher Mountain.
    0pts
16. 16
    Hessie Trail to Lost Lake

    A Nederland trail through aspen and spruce to a quiet lake in the Indian Peaks.
    0pts
17. 17
    Meadow Creek to Lily Pad Lake

    A 3.1-mile out-and-back near Frisco with aspen stands and views of Dillon Reservoir.
    0pts

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