The Top 10 Trail Runs in Colorado

Where to trail run in Colorado? The state boasts 58 ‘14ers’ (peaks with an elevation of 14,000+ feet) and troves of rugged, rocky mountains, coloring it gold for the adventurous.

“The elective grind through the wild environment typically leads to an existential experience. Or at least the question: Why don’t I do this more often?” Trail runner, Brian Metzler

We’ve scouted ten of the best trail running destinations in Colorado, from Boulder’s ‘make yourself at home’ charms to Aspen’s snowiest passes. Read on to find out where Colorado trail running could take you.

Key takeaways at a glance:

• The Colorado Rockies are the tallest portion of the Rocky Mountains, staking a claim to 78 of the Rocky’s 100 highest peaks.

• Meanwhile, the San Juan Mountains are the state’s largest, mountainous expanse, where waterfalls and views flow freely.

• Many ultra races are hosted in Colorado, like the Hardrock 100, Leadville Trail 100 Run, The Great Divide Ultra and NOCO Urban Ultra & Relay.

• Check recent trip reports before heading up Colorado’s 14er’s or other high-altitude routes. Conditions can change fast and make problems for runners just as quickly. So, pack that waterproof running jacket and handy accessories.

Why Colorado is a trail runner’s mecca

Traverse high desert, scale alpine peaks, or cool off in mountainous lakes and grassy meadows - Colorado has it all. No need to be an elite runner or take on a 14er. The only criteria? A love for fresh mountain air and the will to get moving.

Many pro athletes use Colorado as a high-altitude training ground, thanks to its elevated trail networks spanning the likes of Boulder, Salida, and Leadville. A strong running community resides in these spots, eager to share tips with newcomers.

The state also sees plenty of sunny days (300+!) and low humidity all year. At lower elevations, even winters in Colorado remain runnable. Although packing sensibly is always recommended, as well as wearing the proper running gear.

1. Boulder

Why it’s Great:

• An extensive web of trails directly accessible from the town. Well-marked and well-maintained

• Gentle paths or challenging mountain climbs at altitude: Choose your level of challenge

•  Stunning views of the famous Flatirons on Green Mountain and Bear Peak

Trail Type: 

• Rolling dirt paths (Mesa Trail)

• Steep, rocky ascents (Flatirons, Mount Sanitas)

• Mix of open meadows, pine forests, and rocky routes

Standout Trail:

•  First and Second Flatirons Loop - 4.3 km loop, taking on two popular Flatirons (sandstone mounds that jut up towards the sky, too sheer for trees to anchor onto)

2. Colorado Springs

Why it’s Great: 

• Home to iconic Colorado landmarks: the Garden of the Gods (a smattering of spellbinding, terracotta spheres) and Pikes Peak, with its ‘edge of the world,’ drop-off views

• Varying trails from easy, scenic loops to extreme mountain challenges

• Awe-striking red rock formations and alpine expanses

Trail Type:

• The Garden of the Gods features paved and unpaved paths around dramatic rock piles

• Pikes Peak offers all manner of terrain, including high-altitude trails way above the treeline

Standout Trail:

• Red Rocks to Dakota Trail - 10.6 km loop around Red Rock Park starting on the Dakota Ridge Trail. Deciding where to run in Colorado Springs? The otherworldly, rippling ridges and greenery as far as the eye can see might help you choose your spot

3. Rocky Mountain National Park

Why it’s Great: 

• Crisp alpine wilderness, where you might spot majestic wildlife along the way (elk or moose)

• An altitude challenge, should you seek it

• Crystal-clear running streams, rocky mountains, and pine forests

Trail Type:

• High-altitude alpine trails: tree-scattered valleys, subalpine lakes and exposed patches

• Rocky and technical in many places

• Snow can remain on trails well into summer, and the weather can be unpredictable

Standout Route:

• Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail - 8.7 km taking in waterfalls at every turn. Ouzel Falls, Copeland Falls, and Calypso Cascades provide the gushing water backdrop.

4. Golden Area (Jefferson County Open Space)

Why it’s Great: 

• Easily accessible from Denver, Jefferson County Open Space offers a bounty of parks and trails - over 58,000 acres of open space

• North Table Mountain Park, South Table Mountain Park, and Mount Galbraith Park, within the vast space, are all best explored on foot. Embark on a steep workout, fueled by panoramic views

Trail Type:

• Dirt and gravel paths, with some rocky sections and steep climbs

• Open, exposed terrain - find respite in shady forests

Standout Route:

• Mesa Top and Cottonwood Canyon Loop - a 6.8 km circular push to North Table Mountain Park, near Denver, steeped by hanging rock and a waterfall. Savour views of Denver and Golden.

5. Aspen/Snowmass Area

Why it’s Great: 

• Mind-bending Colorado mountain trails, with stunning views of the Elk Mountains - considered the state’s most beautiful by many, and you’ll likely agree, if you visit

• Scenic valley paths (especially pretty in the fall)

• High-alpine passes for an added challenge

Trail Type:

• Rocky n’ rooty forest routes with steep elevations

• Open alpine meadows

• Scree fields at higher elevations to be wary of

• Keep in mind that some trails require access permits

Standout Route:

• Lost Man Trail - a 14.2 km point-to-point that passes trickling creeks, a deep lake, wildflower meadows - and even mountain goats! Top tip: get picked up at the end, as it’s not a loop.

6. Buena Vista / Salida

Why it’s Great: 

• Various access to Colorado's best 14ers and a vast network of trails along the Arkansas River 

• Mild climate and desert-like trails through the heart of the Collegiate Peaks’ swatch of the Rockies

Trail Type:

• High-alpine trails and forest paths (see if you can smell the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper)

• Rocky and exposed at the higher areas

Standout Route:

• Lost Lake - 5.5 km out-and-back to a secluded, turquoise lake. Discover the ‘lost’ lake for yourself.

7. Telluride Area

Why it’s Great: 

• A picturesque mountain town surrounded by the dramatic San Juan Mountains

• A base for some of the most spectacular and challenging trail running in Colorado, with waterfalls, mining ruins, and breathtaking vistas ready and waiting

Trail Type:

• Technical high-alpine trails, with steep climbs and descents

• Rocky n’ rooty forest

• Remote conditions, rapid weather changes, and intense physical demands - you’ve been warned!

Standout Route:

• Blue Lake via Bridal Veil Trail - a 9.5  km out-and-back featuring the immense Bridal View Falls (the state's highest waterfall at 365 feet tall) and crystalline Blue Lake. 

Top tip: The falls freeze in winter and are a lot harder to reach.

8. Breckenridge Area

Why it’s Great: 

• A homely ski town by winter, a trail runner’s paradise come summer

• An open web of trails: scenic loops around Breckenridge’s Victorian town and high-alpine routes with 360-degree views of the Tenmile Range, which nestle at the base of the Rocky Mountains

• Historic mining sites - a true ‘Gold Rush’ town of olde

Trail Type:

• Stories mining tracks and high-alpine trails

• Rocky, rooty forest paths (some shared with mountain bikers)

• High elevations prone to afternoon thunderstorms - so set off early!

Standout Route:

• Spruce Creek Loop - 6.9 km circular with Mayflower Lake the pinnacle point. Yellow aspens blow in the breeze in fall, while snowy caps loom in the distance.

9. Leadville Area

Why it’s Great: 

• Known for its famed "Race Across the Sky" - AKA, the  Leadville 100 ultramarathon

• High-altitude training and access to trails strumming some of Colorado's highest peaks

• A rugged and real mining town feel

Trail Type:

• High-altitude trails, often above the treeline

• Rocky dirt tracks

• Thin air and extreme altitudes (10,200 ft / 3,100 m base elevation). Not for the faint of heart!

“Running at altitude can be a challenge for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is you feel like you’re breathing through a drinking straw most of the time. And by running, I mean sometimes power hiking, and sometimes just plain old walking.” Trail runner, Brian Metzler

Standout Route:

• Mineral Belt Trail - 18.7 km circular, travelling through history and geology. See long-abandoned mining carts, railroad lines, and views of Colorado's highest peak, Mt. Elbert

10. Steamboat Springs Area

Why it’s Great: 

• Known as “Ski Town USA” with its therapeutic natural hot springs and ‘yee haw’ ranching town roots, but also a summer trail running haven

• Go for mountain trails, scenic loops, and access to the splendors of Routt National Forest

• Beautiful Yampa Valley views whatever your edge, moderate or challenging

• A more relaxed, authentic Colorado experience with less extreme technicality

Trail Type:

• Ski resort access roads and trails straight out of an alpine picturebook

• Muddy in spring, dotted with beautiful wildflowers in summer 

• Less rocky than some southern Colorado areas

Standout Route:

• Long Lake via Fish Creek Trail - a 19.2 km out-and-back that’s pure tranquility, with waterfalls, wildflowers, and open skies

The Fiercest Ultra Races & 100 Mile Runs in Colorado

Discover the biggest ultra races across Colorado. Distance runners looking to take part in thrilling, high-octane events will be spoilt for choice.

Where Will You Go? Your Colorado Adventure Awaits

Colorado's best running trails are calling, and each mile means a new story, a new challenge, a new view. Lace up, trust your stride, and chase the horizon, whether that means sunrises at alpine passes or finding peace in the quiet of the trees.

The only question that remains is: which Colorado trail to conquer first?

FAQs: Trail Running in Colorado

Still deciding where to run in colorful Colorado? Find the answers to commonly asked questions from other trail seekers.

• What trail runs through Colorado? The Colorado Trail is the most iconic trail in the state. It’s ~485 miles from Waterton Canyon (near Denver) to Durango. The trail is often compared to the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails for its beauty and challenge - but uniquely Colorado.

• What to wear when trail running in Colorado? It depends on the season and how high you plan to go - what elevations you’ll touch. Typically, it’s a good idea to start with a moisture-wicking base layer, trail running shoes with good grip (ideally waterproof, in case of snow), technical running socks, a lightweight, waterproof jacket, and accessories that can be taken off if need be, like a hat, neck warmer, or gloves.

• What mountain is Colorado best-known for? Pikes Peak’s nickname is ‘America’s Mountain’ - and this is the most-known mountain in Colorado. It’s got a staggering elevation of 14,115 feet and resides near Colorado Springs, in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. For many, this is the 14er they go to Colorado to summit, to follow in the footsteps of explorers braving its heights since the 1800s.

• What is the famous off-road trail in Colorado? Black Bear Pass is the most famous ‘off-road’ trail in Colorado. The summit towers 12,840 feet above sea level - but to reach it, you have to pass narrow, exposed, and dramatic ground with sheer drop-offs. It’s closed most of the year, due to snow. So mid-to-late summer is the only window for running to the top. Experienced runners can push uphill from a point near Red Mountain Pass that leads to the Black Bear Pass summit. This route is  4–5 miles long, with about 2,000+ feet of elevation gain.

• Is running harder in Colorado? Yes, running is generally harder in Colorado, especially if you’re not familiar with altitude running. Start slow when trail running in Colorado’s high-alpine environs, stay hydrated, watch the weather (it can change fast!), and set off early to beat any afternoon storms. It’s wild out there.