The 16 weirdest hikes in Colorado
Home to some of the wildest natural terrain in the country, there are plenty of interesting hikes spread around the state of Colorado. Here's a collection of a few of my favorite "weird" hikes that I think you'll enjoy.
Editor's Note: Operations at these destinations may vary from the typical experience due to COVID-19 or other factors. Check with an official source prior to planning any adventure, as this piece will not include those updates.
Young blonde woman walking on the Great Sand Dunes Photo Credit: ablokhin (iStock)
16. Trudge up a 750-foot pile of sand
Most people don't think of "sand" when they think of "Colorado," but there's a lot of it here – especially at the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Visit this destination for sandy exploring and to make the trek up some of the country's tallest dunes. Star Dune is the tallest, 750 feet from top to bottom. If you plan on exploring here, bring plenty of water and hike early to avoid hot sand temperatures.
Photo Credit: ablokhin (iStock)
Spencer McKee on the Manitou Incline photo credit Delina Auciello
15. Race up the ultimate staircase
You've definitely heard of this one before, but admit it – the Manitou Incline is a pretty odd hike. It literally consists of running up thousands of steps while ascending 2,000 feet in less than a mile. If you haven't tried this one, add it to your bucket list. Be warned – it's quite strenuous and you'll need to be in shape to do this safely.
Photo Credit: Delina Auciello
Falcon Castle Heather Biggers (Reader submission)
14. Falcon Castle
Decades ago, a man named John Brisben Walker took the phrase “a man’s house is his castle” to heart, building a large stone castle tucked away in 4,000 acres of Colorado land near Morrison. Dubbed “Falcon Castle,” this magnificent home has since fallen to ruin after a destructive lightning strike in 1918, and the surrounding land has since been turned into an open space for hikers and bikers. If you look carefully, you can still find what’s left of this unique structure.
To find the ruins of this castle, head to Mount Falcon and find the namesake trail, “Mount Falcon Trail.” It’s approximately 2.3 miles long, taking roughly an hour and a half to complete. Along the way, you’ll not only see these ruins, but you'll also have great views of the Denver skyline.
Photo Credit: Heather Biggers (Reader submission)
Castlewood Canyon State Park Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
13. Hike to the broken dam that flooded Denver
Remember that one time Denver was buried under four feet of standing water? Probably not…it happened in 1933.
However, if you head over to Castlewood Canyon State Park, you’ll be able to see the remains of the dam that broke and caused it all. To find the Castlewood Canyon Dam, you’ll want to enter the park through the western entrance. From there, it’s an easy 0.3 mile hike.
Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Almagre Peak Colorado Springs
12. Hike to an aircraft crash site
Thanks to wild weather and dangerous navigation, many planes have gone down in Colorado's mountains over the years. Many of these crash sites are in places so remote that removal of debris is too difficult, thus the metal remains of the planes have stayed where they fell.
One crash site that’s relatively easy to find is the UH-1 Huey Helicopter crash site near Colorado Springs. To find it, you’ll head to the northern bump of Almagre Peak. The wreck can be found on the northern side of the boulder field. If you’re seeking out this wreck, or any other aircraft crash site, we recommend that you get a detailed map and do your own research on the exact route, meticulously tracking the coordinates of where you’re headed. As most crash sites are very remote, finding them can be dangerous. Additionally, treat these crash sites with respect and always leave no trace.
Visitors at Jurassic sauropod dinosaur tracksite Purgatoire River Colorado
11. Hunt down some real dinosaur tracks
A taxing 10-mile hike on rugged terrain, this trek is for physically fit and experienced hikers only. Found in Southeastern Colorado’s Picketwire Canyon is the Purgatoire River Track Site – a stretch of over 1,300 real dinosaur tracks. Along this hike, you'll literally be walking the same path as these enormous beasts from yesteryear.
Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock)
Autumn in Crystal Mill Colorado Landscape kwiktor (iStock)
10. Hike to an abandoned ghost town
While there are plenty of explorable ghost towns around Colorado, one of the most iconic abandoned spots is the town of Crystal. The most notable structure here is Crystal Mill. If you want to get a picture of this spot for yourself, you’ll need to trek 5.5 miles down a very bumpy dirt road. Some people will drive this with a 4×4 vehicle, though most seem to hike it.
Photo Credit: kwiktor (iStock)
Paradise Cove Spencer McKee
9. Hike to a Hidden Cove
Called a couple different names, Guffey Cove (or Paradise Cove) is a popular destination for cliff jumpers from all around the state that's exploded in recent years. You’ll have to hike a little over a mile to get to a pool of water surrounded by cliffsides. If you plan on cliff jumping, do so at your own risk. This is a dangerous sport and water levels of the cove tend to vary depending on the season. New rules now mean a $6 per vehicle fee, along with no alcohol or amplified music. If you visit this spot, treat it with respect and leave no trace.
Photo Credit: Spencer McKee
Loveland Pass hiking trail landscape
8. Hike along the Continental Divide
One of the easiest spots to access the Continental Divide in Colorado is at the top of Loveland Pass. It's an easy drive to the top of this 11,990-foot mountain pass. Once you're there, you can park and explore the surrounding area on trails. Do be aware of the elevation, as this can result in altitude sickness.
Photo Credit: jamespharaon (iStock)
Telluride Via Ferrata Spencer McKee
7. Hike along a massive cliffside
Ever want to test your nerves hundreds of feet off the ground? If so, Telluride’s Via Ferrata is your best bet.
As rock climbing meets hiking, brave souls willing to try this route clip into safety wires traverse across small rungs and holds. It’s not for those scared of heights. If you’ve never done this hike and don't have via ferrata gear, we encourage you to go on a guided trip with a professional guide service like San Juan Mountain Guides.
Photo Credit: Spencer McKee (@spence.outside via Instagram)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Photo Credit: Kimberly Saavedra.
6. Descend into a prehistoric canyon
Dropping more than 2,000 feet into the earth, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is perhaps Colorado's most iconic canyon. Multiple routes varying in difficulty and features take adventurous hikers to the river found at the bottom. This one is another one that's for experienced hikers only.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Saavedra.
Dotsero maar Lee Siebert (Wikimedia Commons)
5. Hike to the top of a volcanic crater
Believe it or not, the Colorado landscape was once home to many volcanoes. One that you can still visit is the Dotsero Crater and it’s actually pretty easy to find. Located on the Dotsero-Ute Trail just before Glenwood Canyon on I-70, you’ll need to take exit 133 heading north on Colorado River Road for about a half-mile to find the trail head. If you want to simply hike to the top of the crater and back to the parking area, it will be roughly 1.25 miles round trip.
Photo Credit: Lee Siebert (Wikimedia Commons)
Calhan Paint Mines - Colorado
4. Hike around an otherwordly landscape
Found in the small Front Range town of Calhan, a walk around the Paint Mines Interpretive Park makes for one of the most unique hikes in the state. If you visit this extremely unique natural destination, proceed with extreme caution. The formations are fragile. Stay off of them and make sure that you're following the principles of Leave No Trace.
Photo Credit: Gary Gray (iStock).
Wheeler Geologic Area Christian Murdock
3. Explore a former national monument
Once a national monument – Colorado's first – Wheeler Geologic Area is another natural spot that's filled with unique beauty. Consisting of highly eroded outcroppings made of volcanic ash, this remote destination is work trekking to. It can be reached by a rugged 8.4 mile hike or via a 14 mile drive on a difficult four-wheel-drive road.
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock; The Gazette
Hahn's Peak Bigfuzzyjesus (Wikimedia Commons)
2. Hike to a high-altitude look-out tower
Hike to the lookout tower on the bald summit of Hahn's Peak near Steamboat Springs. It's located at 10,800 feet above sea-level in a spot that provides stunning views of the surrounding terrain. The hike to the top is roughly 4 miles long with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain.
Photo Credit: Bigfuzzyjesus (Wikimedia Commons)
Rattlesnake Arches Chhun Sun
1. Make the brutal trek to Colorado's arches
A destination unknown to many Colorado adventurers, the Rattlesnake Arches hike is a brutal and rugged, yet rewarding adventure. The hike is 15 miles long in hot, remote terrain with around 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Do not attempt to track this destination down unless you're experienced and have done plenty of research on the trail.
Photo Credit: Chhun Sun
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.