Colorado Trail

A high-altitude USA long-distance trail that rewards steady walkers with sustained Rocky Mountain scenery.

Time to Hike: Most thru-hikers take 30-45 days, depending on fitness, weather windows, and how often you zero in trail towns.

Best Time to Go: Peak season is mid-summer to early autumn, when high passes are most likely to be snow-free. Expect afternoon thunderstorms in summer and early snow on the highest sections later in the season.

Getting there: Most people start near Denver at Waterton Canyon and finish in Durango. Both ends are reachable by road transport, with easier flight options at the start than the finish.

Costs: Budget depends on how often you resupply in towns and whether you camp or take rooms. The trail itself is largely on public land, so your main costs are food, transport, gear, and occasional lodging.

Difficulty: Hard. The hiking is not technical, but altitude, long climbs, exposure, and changeable mountain weather make it a serious undertaking.

The Colorado Trail runs roughly 782 km from the outskirts of Denver to Durango, tracing a long arc through the Rocky Mountains. It starts with accessible singletrack and canyon walking, then steadily commits to higher terrain, with frequent days above treeline later in the route.

Highlights for many hikers include the approach to the ski towns around Breckenridge and Copper Mountain, the big vistas near Twin Lakes, and the long, rugged finale through the San Juan Mountains past Silverton. A key decision point is the Collegiate Peaks area, where there are alternate alignments (commonly called East and West) with different scenery and logistics.

Because the trail stays high for long stretches, the walk is defined as much by weather and altitude management as by miles. Strong navigation is not usually the crux, but timing your day around storms and being prepared for cold nights is.

• Front Range to South Park (approx. km 0-120) - From Waterton Canyon near Denver the trail climbs from lower-elevation foothills into higher forest, with an early feel of being close to the city that quickly fades.
• South Park to Breckenridge (approx. km 120-200) - Big-sky open country and long, rolling grades lead toward Breckenridge, with a mix of exposed walking and forested singletrack.
• Tenmile and Copper Mountain area (approx. km 200-290) - Higher ridges and more sustained climbs arrive, plus easy access to services around Copper Mountain and nearby highway corridors for resupply.
• Holy Cross area to Twin Lakes (approx. km 290-360) - A more remote, mountain-trail feel builds, with longer stretches between road crossings before dropping toward Twin Lakes.
• Collegiate Peaks region and Monarch Pass (approx. km 360-470) - The route through the Collegiate Peaks area is a centrepiece, with a choice of alternates in places. Many hikers use Monarch Pass as a practical access point for food drops or town trips.
• Saguache Park and Cochetopa Hills to Spring Creek Pass (approx. km 470-575) - Generally less dramatic but fast-moving terrain helps you cover distance, then the trail ramps back toward higher country near Spring Creek Pass.
• San Juan high country to Silverton (approx. km 575-690) - A sustained run of high-elevation walking with big views and frequent exposure above treeline, eventually delivering you to Silverton for a key resupply.
• Final push to Durango (approx. km 690-782) - The closing section mixes rugged mountains with long forest traverses and a gradual transition toward the lower elevations around Durango.

The typical thru-hiking season is mid-summer through early autumn. Earlier starts can run into lingering snow on high, shaded slopes, while later starts risk early winter conditions across the highest parts of the Rocky Mountains.

Afternoon thunderstorms are a defining hazard in summer, especially on long above-treeline stretches. Plan earlier starts, watch forecasts in towns, and be ready to drop below ridgelines quickly if lightning builds.

The most common east-west direction is to start near Denver at Waterton Canyon, which is straightforward to reach from the Denver International Airport area by local transport and a short road transfer to the trailhead.

From the finish in Durango, onward travel often involves bus or shuttle connections to larger hubs, or a regional flight depending on schedules. If you hike west-east instead, logistics can be trickier at the start but can better match some hikers’ weather windows.

There is no single trail-wide permit required to thru-hike the Colorado Trail, and many hikers travel self-supported with dispersed camping where allowed. That said, the route crosses multiple jurisdictions, so rules can change by area and year.

Check for current fire restrictions, temporary closures, and any local regulations at specific trailheads (including parking rules or fees) before you start. If you plan to camp in a heavily regulated zone or take side trips into permit-managed areas, confirm requirements in advance.

Most thru-hikers camp most nights, using dispersed sites where permitted on public land. There are also frequent opportunities to detour into towns for a bed and shower, especially around Breckenridge, the Copper Mountain area, Twin Lakes connections, and Silverton.

Because there are no continuous hut systems on this route, carry a shelter and be prepared for cold, wet nights even in summer. Booking ahead is mainly relevant for popular town stops and peak weekends, not for on-trail accommodation.