Aspen, Colorado is known for its stunning natural beauty and various outdoor recreation opportunities. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to hiking and mountain biking in the summer, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had in Aspen.
For winter ideas, check out my other post, Guide to a Winter Vacation in Aspen.
In this post, I’m going to give you ways to enjoy the beauty of Aspen in the summer! So, here’s some good hiking ideas.
Easy Hikes
Maroon Bells Scenic Trail
1.9 miles | 160 ft. of elevation gain | Easy | Hike info
The Maroon Bells are two of the most photographed peaks in North America, and for good reason. The Maroon Bells Scenic Trail is a pretty easy 1.5-mile hike that takes you from the front of Maroon Lake, where most pictures are taken, along the shore of Maroon Lake, to a waterfall and to the Bells themselves. No matter what season, this hike is absolutely stunning.
If you are going during peak season, though, make sure to get a reservation! Vehicle reservations are available from May 15-October 31 and shuttle reservations are available from May 26-October 22. This is pretty much the only way to get to the Bells during these months, unless you want to hike/bike the road in.
Moderate Hikes
Smuggler Mountain Road
2.9 miles | 807 ft. of elevation gain | Moderate | Hike info
For a short hike that offers stunning views, the Smuggler Mountain Road is a great option. This 3-mile hike gains almost 1,000 feet in elevation, so though it’s rated moderate, it does offer a good workout! And offers views of the town of Aspen and the surrounding mountains. If you want even more of a challenge, continue on the road further and up to Smuggler Mountain Trail.
Crater Lake Trail
3.5 miles | 688 ft. of elevation gain | Moderate | Hike info
If you’re looking for a slightly longer hike in the Maroon Bells wilderness, the Crater Lake Trail is a great option. This 3.6-mile hike takes you a bit past where the Maroon Bells Scenic Trail ends. It passes through wildflower meadows and a waterfall before arriving at the serene Crater Lake, which is nestled beneath the Maroon Bells.
Spiral Point via Rim Trail South
2.6 miles | 590 ft. of elevation gain | Moderate | Hike info
This trail is a little outside of the town of Aspen, located in Snowmass Village. Just a quick 30 minute drive away, Snowmass offers tons of great hiking trails! This one offers beautiful views of the village and Snowmass Ski Resort, while also being short and sweet.
Hunter Creek Trail
8.9 miles | 1,135 ft. of elevation gain | Moderate | Hike info
If you’re looking for a longer hike that’s close to town, the Hunter Creek Trail is a great option. This hikes starts in downtown Aspen and takes you along Hunter Creek into the Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness. Aside from an incline in the beginning, the trail is mostly flat or has a slight incline, so it makes for a very enjoyable long hike into the mountains.
Crystal Mill via Crystal City Road
9 miles | 1,391 ft. of elevation gain | Moderate | Hike info
This trail is located a bit outside of Aspen in the town of Marble, which is about an hour drive from downtown Aspen. Crystal Mill is definitely a site on the Colorado bucket list and is especially beautiful in the Fall when all the Aspen leaves are changing colors. The trail itself is a road so you could drive it if you have a good 4×4 vehicle with clearance, or an ATV. Or you can hike it! You’ll see people doing all of those options. It’s a fairly flat hike so it’s not very tough, it’s just long.
For a post-hike (or post-drive) treat, definitely stop at Slow Groovin BBQ in Marble! It’s a staple in the area and they have such amazing food, including my favorite – the brisket mac n cheese.
Hard Hikes
American Lake Trail
6.8 miles | 2,043 ft. of elevation gain | Hard | Hike info
This is one of my absolute favorite hikes in the Aspen area. It is quite a workout, but it’s pretty short as far as “hard” hikes go. You first hike through an aspen grove with a touch of wildflowers, then through a rock field with beautiful shooting mountains on your side, then you arrive at a pristine lake surrounded by trees and mountain sides. Because of it’s position, it rarely gets very windy, giving the lake a mirror-lake reflection ability of the mountains surrounding it.
Cathedral Lake Trail
5.4 miles | 2,070 ft. of elevation gain | Hard | Hike info
This is another one of my favorite hikes in the Aspen area. I’d say it’s a little less challenging than the American Lake Trail, except for a short part that is quite brutal, with equally as good of a reward. It’s a very enjoyable hike with wonderful views the whole way. As I said there is a short part that is brutal, but it is short! Towards the end of the hike, you hit a series of switchbacks that basically goes straight up a mountain side. It’s hard, but short, so you can do it! Just take a lot of breaks. The lake is definitely worth the effort.
Aspen Mountain Trail
8.8 miles | 3,231 ft. of elevation gain | Hard | Hike info
This is a great option if you are looking for something to get your heart racing a little, and that starts right in the town of Aspen. The full hike is just under 9 miles with over 3,000 feet in elevation, but you can really hike as far or not far as you’d like. The trail more or less goes straight up Ajax Mountain, the resort, and offers stunning views of the town of Aspen and the surrounding mountains.
Backpacking Hikes
If you are looking to get out for some backpacking adventures, the Aspen area has some absolute treats for you!
Conundrum Hot Springs
16.9 miles | 2,788 ft. of elevation gain | Hard | Hike info
This hike is quite a popular one, and once you do it, you’ll see why! The trail follows Conundrum Creek into back into the Maroon Bells wilderness and ends at 20 backpacking campsites right near a hot springs. It’s a great treat to soak in the natural hot water after the end of a tough hike. The hike is a steady incline the whole way out, so be prepared for a workout with all that gear.
As I said, this one is quite popular, and a camping permit is now required to do it. These sell out very fast, and I mean seconds, so make sure to be on the site and ready to book at the exact time they are released. You can get your permits, and all important information like release schedule here.
Aspen to Crested Butte (or vice versa)
10.3 miles | 2,240 ft. of elevation gain | Hard | Hike info
This trail connects, as the name implies, Aspen and Crested Butte. Though the towns are quite close in actual mileage, there are no straight roads that connect the two. So it takes hours to drive between the two, but there’s another option! You can hike using West Maroon Pass. You can start in either town, but if you are starting in Aspen, make sure to get a permit to park your car in the Maroon Bells area!
The trail doesn’t have too much elevation gain, but it is pretty long if you are doing all 10 miles in one day (and then back the next). The whole trail will provide amazing views of wildflowers and of the surrounding peaks.
If you can’t tell from this post, Aspen is one of my favorite areas to explore in the summer! It offers some of the most stunning hikes in the world and really has something for everyone. So put on your hiking boots, grab some water, and explore the natural beauty of Aspen!