# 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!

*By YPB Team · Published October 4, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-17-best-fall-hikes-in-colorado-for-aspen-colors*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Maroon Lake Scenic Trail** — score 1000/1000
   The easy lakeside walk that frames the Maroon Bells in peak aspen color near Aspen.
2. **Aspen Alley** — score 670/1000
   Breckenridge's 2.6-mile out-and-back through a tunnel of aspens, ending at Boreas Pass.
3. **Lost Lake Slough** — score 487/1000
   A Kebler Pass-area trail with an aspen-lined lake and views of the Raggeds.
4. **Cub Lake Trail** — score 487/1000
   A Rocky Mountain National Park trail through the Moraine Park valley and aspen stands to a lily-pad lake.
5. **Bierstadt Lake Trail** — score 422/1000
   A Rocky Mountain National Park trail through aspen and pine to a lake with Continental Divide views.
6. **Crater Lake Trail** — score 422/1000
   A 3.6-mile hike beyond Maroon Lake through golden aspen groves to a glacial lake beneath the Bells.
7. **Kenosha Pass** — score 422/1000
   A Colorado Trail section south of Denver famed for one of the state's largest aspen groves.
8. **Baker's Tank** — score 345/1000
   A loop through dense aspen forest on Boreas Pass Road that ends near the Boreas ghost town.
9. **Sawmill Lake Trail** — score 345/1000
   A short family-friendly loop in Breckenridge to a lake backed by the Tenmile Range.
10. **Cathedral Lake Trail** — score 345/1000
   A steep Castle Creek Valley climb near Aspen through aspen forest to an alpine lake.
11. **Eaglesmere Lake Trail** — score 345/1000
   A 7.4-mile out-and-back through Eagles Nest Wilderness with many aspen viewpoints and fewer crowds.
12. **Rampart Reservoir** — score 253/1000
   A scenic lake loop above Colorado Springs bordered by aspens and Pikes Peak views.
13. **Mueller State Park Outlook Ridge** — score 253/1000
   A Mueller State Park loop near Divide with aspen groves and Pikes Peak views.
14. **Hunter Creek Trail** — score 0/1000
   A trail climbing from Aspen's east side through aspen groves and meadows along Hunter Creek.
15. **Mayflower Gulch** — score 0/1000
   A Summit County valley trail with aspen at the base and old mining ruins beneath Fletcher Mountain.
16. **Hessie Trail to Lost Lake** — score 0/1000
   A Nederland trail through aspen and spruce to a quiet lake in the Indian Peaks.
17. **Meadow Creek to Lily Pad Lake** — score 0/1000
   A 3.1-mile out-and-back near Frisco with aspen stands and views of Dillon Reservoir.

Tags: hiking, colorado, fall, aspens, trails