The 4 Best Hikes In Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado may be known more as a winter destination than a summer one, but trust us when we say there’s plenty to love––and even more to explore––in warmer months. If you’re heading to the mountain town (or considering a trip), add these stellar trails to your itinerary because they’re the best hikes in Aspen (according to us and local residents).
Don’t forget to check out the best hikes near Glenwood Springs while you’re there!
Where to Stay: The Gant
The Gant is a lovely, quiet place to stay on the edge of downtown. It’s walkable to everything in the center of town but tucked away from the main thoroughfares. The best part: suites mean you can really spread out, cook your own meals and relax in the evenings (by the hot tub if you so desire). Book HERE. NOTE: The Gant will be undergoing a major renovation soon. If it’s closed when you plan to visit, check out the sustainably-designed Limelight Hotel instead.
The 4 Best Hikes in Aspen, CO
Maroon Bells and Crater Lake: 4 mi, out-and-back
No list of Aspen’s best hikes would be complete without Maroon Bells. It’s a beautiful hike in a valley surrounded by peaks, including the Bordeaux-colored Bells. Take the relatively flat Scenic Trail loop and then the out-and-back to Crater Lake for views of alpine lakes, rocky trails, low waterfalls, rushing creeks, and maybe even a moose!
You absolutely must have reservations to visit the Maroon Bells area! You can make a parking reservation and drive up yourself, book a shuttle ticket (which saves emissions and road congestion) or ride up on a bike or e-bike and pay a reduced cyclist reservation fee. The permitting system was implemented years ago to reduce negative environmental impact, visitor and traffic congestion, and give everyone a more enjoyable experience.
Ashcroft: 3 mi, out-and-back
This hike on River Run Trail goes through and beyond an old silver mining ghost town is just as lovely as the drive up the mountains to the trailhead. Once you reach the parking lot, you’ll meander between restored structures with informational signs describing the history of the place, then drop into an aspen and pine forest and wander along Crystal Creek. In 1.5 miles or so, you’ll arrive at the Pine Creek Cookhouse where you can grab a bite, a snack or a beverage (check hours beforehand). Then turn around and retrace your steps.
There’s a $5 day-use fee to explore Ashcroft. In the winter you can cross country ski or snowshoe to the restaurant and back. There’s even a ski shop near the parking lot at the start that offers rentals.
Lost Man Trail: 8.9 mi, out-and-back
Thomas Stickley live in Carbondale, down the road from Aspen, and represents the Aspen Chamber Resorts Association (ACRA).
Lost Man Trail is one of those hikes that genuinely defies the ordinary, and that’s saying something in Aspen. The upper trailhead sits right off Independence Pass on Highway 82, about 18 miles east of town, just before the Continental Divide summit at 12,095 feet. Because of the altitude, wildflowers tend to peak later in summer (usually mid-July) making it a spectacular window if your timing lines up.
The trail passes Independence Lake before climbing to Lost Man Lake, with sweeping mountain views the entire way. From here, you can either hike back out to the upper trailhead or continue on to the lower trailhead – where the trail descends through wide-open alpine meadows scattered with boulders and wildflowers, following a high-elevation landscape unlike anything you’ll find on a forest trail. If you hike from trailhead to trailhead (~9 miles), you’ll need to either park a car at the lower trailhead or hitch a ride as there is a ~4mile gap between trailheads along Indy Pass and it is NOT safe to walk along.
American Lake Trail: 6.4 mi, out-and-back
Eliza Voss is the Senior Vice President of Destination Marketing for ACRA.
One of my favorite hikes around Aspen is the American Lake trail, which is accessed right before Toklat & Ashcroft. The trail is about 3.2 miles one way to the Lake, so 6.4 miles round trip. Most of the elevation gain is in the beginning of the hike, on switchbacks through Aspen groves, and then it sort of mellows out for a little while thru meadows and forest before crossing a scree field prior to arriving at the Lake.
Hikers can enjoy lunch at Pine Creek Cookhouse following their hike and/or explore the Ashcroft Ghost Town or Toklat [which offers cool nature-oriented activities and education]. During mid-summer there would be wonderful wildflowers on the trails, but fall is also spectacular with the leaves turning to golden yellow. I love this trail because it’s relatively close to Aspen; but you do feel completely immersed in nature and wilderness.
Bottom Line
Aspen is a dreamy destination during the summer, especially if you prefer hiking to skiing or snowboarding. There are fewer crowds, chiller vibes, and plenty of trails to explore. These four are just a starting point. So get thee to the Colorado Rockies, don’t forget your hiking boots or adventure sandals, and wander on.
