Hiking
Roaring Fork Valley

Top Hiking Trails in the Roaring Fork Valley

One of the greatest gifts of living in the Roaring Fork Valley is that adventure begins the moment you step outside your door. Whether you're looking for a quick morning workout, a family-friendly walk, an alpine lake, or an all-day epic, there's a trail for every mood and ability level.These are some of the hikes locals return to again and again.

American Lake | Aspen

A personal favorite and one of Aspen's most underrated alpine lakes. The trail climbs through wildflower-filled meadows before arriving at a pristine mountain lake surrounded by dramatic peaks.

Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Solitude and alpine scenery

Arbaney Kittle Trail | Basalt

A local favorite that gains elevation quickly and rewards hikers with panoramic views over Basalt, the Roaring Fork Valley, and surrounding peaks.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Aspen to Crested Butte

Aspen to Crested Butte via West Maroon Pass

The granddaddy of all Roaring Fork Valley hikes.

Crossing West Maroon Pass at 12,500 feet, this legendary route connects Aspen and Crested Butte through some of the most spectacular terrain in Colorado. Wildflowers, alpine streams, and endless views make this a bucket-list adventure.

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: Approximately 11 miles one way

Avalanche Creek Trail | Redstone

This beautiful trail follows a rushing creek deep into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Less crowded than many Aspen hikes, it offers a wonderful sense of solitude.

Difficulty: Moderate

Capital Lake | Aspen

Cathedrel Lake
Cathedral Lake
Cathedral Lake

Cathedral Lake | Aspen

Cathedral Lake has become a rite of passage for Aspen hikers. The climb is steady and challenging, but the reward is one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in Colorado.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best For: Alpine lake lovers

Crater Lake | Maroon Bells

The Maroon Bells are famous for a reason. Crater Lake sits directly beneath the iconic peaks and offers one of the most photographed views in the state.

Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Visitors and photographers

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Difficult Creek | Independence Pass

Doc Holliday Trail | Glenwood Springs

History buffs will enjoy this climb above Glenwood Springs to the grave site of the legendary gunslinger.

Difficulty: Moderate

Grottos Trail | Independence Pass

A short and easy hike featuring waterfalls, unique rock formations, and beautiful picnic areas. Perfect for families and visitors looking for a quick stop along Independence Pass.

Difficulty: Easy
Best For: Families

Hanging Lake | Glenwood Springs

One of Colorado's most famous hikes. The steep climb rewards hikers with a stunning turquoise lake suspended on the side of Glenwood Canyon. Get your permit first.

Difficulty: Moderate
Permit Required

Linkins Lake | Independence Pass

A beautiful moderate hike near Independence Pass that offers stunning wildflowers and a gorgeous alpine lake without the crowds found on some of the more famous trails.

Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Families and photographers

Lost Man Loop | Independence Pass

If I had to choose one hike that captures everything I love about Colorado hiking, Lost Man Loop would be near the top. Alpine lakes, wildflowers, stream crossings, mountain views, and long stretches above treeline make this one of the valley's most rewarding adventures.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best For: Full-day alpine adventure

Maroon Lake Scenic Trail | Aspen

Sometimes the easiest hike delivers the biggest reward. The trail around Maroon Lake offers stunning reflections of the Bells and is perfect for families and those looking for a shorter outing.

Difficulty: Easy
Best For: Everyone

Midway Hike Independence Pass
Midway Hike Independence Pass

Midway Hike - Independence Pass

Mushroom Rock on Red Hill | Carbondale

A classic Carbondale hike that combines unique geological features with stunning valley views.

Difficulty: Moderate

Seven Castles Trail | Basalt

Located above Basalt, Seven Castles winds through sage-covered hillsides with expansive views of the Fryingpan Valley. Particularly beautiful in spring and fall.

Difficulty: Moderate

Smuggler Mountain / Hunter Creek Loop| Aspen

Known by the locals as Housewife Hill or Botox Way this is the most  and perhaps the most assessable hike on the sunny side of Aspen. A quick half hour grunt up an old jeep road and rewards hikers with incredible views overlooking Aspen, Red Mountain, and the surrounding Elk Mountains. It's a favorite for sunrise hikes, after-work exercise, and visitors looking for a quick taste of Aspen's outdoor culture. Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Families and visitors

If you want more, go all the way around on the Hunter Creek Trail loop that follows a beautiful valley north of town through forests, meadows, and old mining remnants. The creek provides a soothing soundtrack throughout much of the hike. You will end up a little lower down on the road from where you started so best to take the Aspen shuttle rather than drive.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.9 miles roundtrip to the overlook

Snowmass Creek Trail Overlook

Snowmass Creek Trail | Snowmass

Sunnyside Trail | Aspen

A quieter alternative to Smuggler, Sunnyside winds through beautiful forests and meadows above Aspen. The trail gains elevation steadily and offers spectacular views without the crowds.

Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Trail runners, dog owners, locals ... and mountain bikers

Thomas Lake Trail | Carbondale

Ute Trail | Aspen

For those wanting a challenge close to town, Ute Trail is a half hour uphill grunt to a rock where you can look all over Aspen. If you want to continue on, this is the most direct route to hike to the top of Aspen Mountain. Go early enough to take an Aspen Shakti yoga class, listen to Bluegrass and take the gondola down. It's steep from the first step and if you go all the way up you gains nearly 2,000 feet in a relatively short distance. The reward is a tremendous sense of accomplishment and some of the best views in town.

Always be prepared for mountain weather, bring lots of water, food, raingear, and good hiking shoes, especially if you are hiking back down and not going to the top. Be courteous of uphill hikers and stop to let them pass. They have the right of way.

Difficulty: Difficult
Best For: Conditioning and training

Why We Hike

Sure, we hike for the views. But we also hike because the trails remind us why we live here. They connect us to the mountains, to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves. Whether it's a quick sunrise on Smuggler, a wildflower-filled day on Lost Man Loop, or an epic crossing to Crested Butte, these trails are part of what makes the Roaring Fork Valley one of the most extraordinary places in the world.

The only challenge is deciding which one to do next.

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Testimonials

Corneliu Fagaraşan
Architect

Aspen Business Connect completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I showed up I felt welcomed into a community of open, curious, and genuinely supportive people. It’s not just networking—it’s real connection. I’ve built friendships, found opportunities, and gained invaluable insight simply by being part of the group. The environment Jillian has created makes it easy to show up, be yourself, and grow both personally and professionally.

Hudson McNamee Osprey Design Studio
Owner

I came along and was immediately connected with a lot of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. A year and a half later I have gained a plethora of connections and advice from people from all walks of the entrepreneurial journey. This valley works by word of mouth. That is the most effective way, and being a part of this has gained me the most high quality clientele that respect what I do, compensate me fairly and I don't have to go through the entire vetting process every time. I learned so much from so many different types of people. It's been invaluable to my growth as an entrepreneur and a small business owner.

Grayson Rutherford Sinclair Building Architecture Design
Director of Operations

I've been blown away by the professional connections that I've been able to make since joining Aspen Business Connect. I've even had the opportunity to make trade relationships... [and] brought multiple artists onto my company's projects that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not been a member of ABC.

It's unmatched and unrivaled by anything else in the valley and such a special meeting and connecting place for professionals of all different backgrounds. Jillian does an incredible job making her network ours and she's the most well-connected woman in the valley, always bringing in new people from different places who have different experiences and backgrounds to share. Overall it's one of my favorite things to be part of in the valley, from our socializing events and specialized dinners to our more professional focused events , it's given me the opportunity to make great friends in the valley and even professional relationships. All of us are better off for it.

Jeremy Joseph
Jeremy Joseph Photography

I opened a gallery called Jeremy Joseph Photography, which was a place to display my fine art prints of the Colorado Wilderness and Wildlife. Shortly after opening that space, I started to realize the need for me to be more  integrated into the local community. After a short meeting with Jillian, I realized really quickly how valuable her network could be to get more integrated into the community. The amount of people and relationship building you can do is pretty impressive. Every time that I show up  I always have a bit of a vibrationally tingly inspiration because of everyone's stories and what they're doing. Just a great place to be a part of the community and get inspired for your small business.

Derron Cloud, State Farm Agent in Basalt and Aspen.
Agent

What I have enjoyed from Jillian's group, Aspen Business Connect, is I've met lots of different people, different individuals. There's great events. I have probably not only gained clients but I’ve also been able to provide clients to those other folks that I've met. I've also made friends. Several people that I met in the first meeting that I went to, I've played golf with and our families hang out together. I have also had many, many referrals from those people. This group has been fantastic for networking and learning and just meeting lots of great and wonderful, interesting people.

Dominic Del Signore Homestead Circus Productions
Founder

Being a member hasn't just grown my business; it has fundamentally changed my life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Jillian is a master at the art of connection, and her dedication to this community is nothing short of brilliant. She understands that when you connect local businesses as genuine resources for one another, you aren't just facilitating 'transactions', you are proliferating a culture of friendship, growth, and playful engagement that makes our community thrive... Great organizations only succeed with great leaders, and Jillian’s mission to foster an environment where we all succeed together is incredibly effective.

Marisa de Lempicka Tamara de Lempicka Estate Foundation
Owner

I've been a member with Aspen Business Connect for about five years now and it's been wonderful. Jillian does an amazing job at connecting people. I always leave the events inspired, empowered, with new ideas. It's really really been a great addition to my life here in Aspen, and it's a great reason to hear what other people are doing in the community, to feel part of this amazing community. The people in this group are amazing. I've /made some really lifelong friendships.

Shari Havroud of Aetio Health
Nutritionist
I am so grateful for Jillian and Aspen Business Connect, for introducing my work to the team at Aspen Strong where we created a successful Food/Mood kids series.  From there, I have been given the opportunity to work with the Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Family Connections and the City of Aspen!” 
All of these engagements have helped me expand awareness about the benefits of medical nutrition therapy.  Just one introduction led to many more.  I would highly recommend joining the Aspen Business Connect network!"
Diane Utz, ESQ Ferguson Shindler Law Firm
Construction Litigation

Thank you once again! You’ve created something really special and have done an amazing job pulling together the movers and shakers in this Valley. I’ve lived all over the country but have never witnessed a network like the one you’ve built and are continuing to build. You are such an inspiration!

Eric Amyot Keystone Species CO
Instigator of Change | Generative Community Builder

ABC makes networking easy. More than that, the intention and energy, mood, and support for every entrepreneur and business regardless of their scale or industry, is always positive.

Harry Teague - Harry Teague Architects
Owner

Thank you Aspen Real Life and your team. Very informative and well organized panel discussion. Wonderful to network with such smart, fun crowd. Keep up the good work.

Jerome Osentowski Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute
Founder & Director

Last week Jerome, Eden, and Brook melted our minds with their wisdom on the state of our food systems, what they're doing about it, and what we can all do to improve the health of ourselves and the Earth. Thanks Aspen Business Connect for organizing this great event!

Thanks so much Jillian for putting these together. We were glad to see so many people who care about their food, we got so many business cards! Amazing

Rose LeVan Sustainable Settings
Co-Founder & Office Manager

Thank you Jillian for giving us the opportunity to talk with our community via Aspen Business Connect! Your crew is amazing.

Michele Cardamone - Michele Cardamone Photography
Owner

I just went to Jillian's Aspen Business Connect meeting at Aspen Kitchen with a panel discussing the importance of eating local and nutritious food without pesticides. There was so much positive energy in the room and such an eclectic mix of local business representatives. It was such a perfect way to connect with members of our community. Bravo, Jillian! I can't wait for more!

Molly Dodge Bosque Aspen

Such an amazing event, Jillian!! Thank you for including us and for everything that you're doing for this community and beyond. You're an inspiration and connecting people is the most satisfying thing. Xoxox

Bill Infante, Hangai Mountain Textiles, Co-Founder & President at Breakthrough Communications, Basalt Town Council Member.
Principal & Co-Founder

Great evening. Great initiative. Great connections. Thanks Jillian Livingston for bringing the business community together!

Marisa Hallsted The Mindful Vine
Founder

We thought you’d love that we all connected over a fabulous dinner. Turned into a blog post, a mastermind group, a newly designed ring from gems from my ancestors and who knows great collaborations between some of us in the future! Thanks for being our connector and for all you do!!