Hiking is a favorite summertime activity in Aspen, and there are plenty of trails for nature lovers to enjoy without having to travel far outside the city. There are trails for every age and fitness level, and hikers can choose between a solo trip or a guided one if they want to get to know the local flora and fauna.
If you are visiting Aspen for a hiking vacation, the lodging accommodations at Lift One offer decked-out one, two and three bedroom condominiums. You can walk (aka hike) to some of the locals favorite trails directly out your front door. There are also outfitters with guided trips, tips and gear that are close by.
Whether you are looking for a quick hike to get your heart pumping or a longer day hike to thoroughly soak in Aspen’s natural beauty, there is surely a trail just for you.
Aspen hiking vacation: Trails that start near town. Take a look at the list below to get acquainted with some of Aspen’s best hikes. Happy Trails!
Rio Grande Trail
The Rio Grande trail is an easy trail and can be walked, hiked, ran, or biked. It is 42 miles long, dog friendly, and can even be ridden on horseback. The trail begins behind the Aspen post office on Puppy Smith Road, is 42 miles long, and rests at an elevation of 7,700 to 7,900 feet.
Hunter Creek
The Hunter Creek trail is rated “medium,” and can be hiked, ran, and mountain biked. It’s made up of two sections: Lower Hunter Creek and Upper Hunter Creek, and is about 6.5 miles one way. The lower trail begins just east of the apartment complexes on Lone Pine Road, and the upper trail can be accessed by car. Find detailed instructions on how to arrive to the upper trail here.
Smuggler Trail
Smuggler Mountain Trail is one of Aspen’s most popular trails, and on any given day you can find many locals and tourists alike hiking, walking, or biking along its curves. It is just over 6 miles long one way, and the road winds up to the popular Smuggler Mountain Overlook, which is a viewing deck that offers spectacular views of Aspen and The Roaring Fork Valley.
Sunnyside Trail
This is an intermediate/moderate level trail, and offers hikers a sunny escape from town. It is 10 miles long and can be hiked, ran, horseback ridden, and mountain biked. The trail connects Red Mountain to the Hunter Creek Valley and rests at an elevation of 8,000 to 10,000 feet.
Ute Trail
The Ute trail is one of Aspen’s more difficult trails, and starts close to town on Ute Avenue. This is a steady, uphill trail with switchbacks. Although it’s a mere .9 miles it is 1,000 vertical feet and is ideal for those looking for an aerobic workout. Once at the top, hikers can soak in the spectacular views of Aspen from the rock outcropping.
Aspen Mountain Summer Road
This is a nice intermediate/moderate windy hiking trail that offers plenty of wonderful views. It is 4.9 miles long and leads to the top of Aspen Mountain where hikers can enjoy a meal or beverage at the Sundeck. This is a dog-friendly dirt trail that can be hiked, ran, and mountain biked.
For more detailed information on Aspen hiking and the best trails including maps, be sure to visit www.AspenTrailFinder.com.
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