-
Hi. Planning a hiking trip to Colorado starting in Denver obviously for August.
Would appreciate advise on hikes/activities/places to visit and stay. Family friendly preferably
Thank youHi Nomad,
Colorado is a fantastic state to visit and has plenty of options. Are you looking for anything other than hiking (some time in one of the towns or cities) too? How strenuous a hike will you and the family enjoy? A few hours each day or full day hikes?
Hi Nomad,
Colorado is a fantastic state to visit and has plenty of options. Are you looking for anything other than hiking (some time in one of the towns or cities) too? How strenuous a hike will you and the family enjoy? A few hours each day or full day hikes?
Really open to suggestions and we can manage strenuous/day long for the right kind of hike 🙂
It’s been some decades since I was in CO in the summer, but Long’s peak used to be regarded as the iconic hike. I went up twice and it’s an incredible walk, but do your research first. You will probably need to start before dawn to be off the hill before the afternoon lightning storms come in, and some of the drops off the footpath are beyond scary. Beware of altitude sickness, too.
It’s been some decades since I was in CO in the summer, but Long’s peak used to be regarded as the iconic hike. I went up twice and it’s an incredible walk, but do your research first. You will probably need to start before dawn to be off the hill before the afternoon lightning storms come in, and some of the drops off the footpath are beyond scary. Beware of altitude sickness, too.
That’s my big recollection from being in Denver in Summer and heading out to the mountains… those afternoon thunderstorms!! (and the hail!)
August is definitely a good month to do Rocky Mountain National Park as many of the routes aren’t open until June. Plenty of beautiful lakes to check out there.
For something closer to Denver and some easy walking/hiking, I’d recommend Garden of the Gods (this might be good at the beginning of your trip if you are tired from the altitude. Great Sand Dunes National Park is incredible too – I hiked it in winter so you’d have to start early in the day in the summer to avoid the heat. There are no fixed trails on the dunes (I hope that is obvious) but it’s a bit challenge and nothing like anywhere else I have been.
The comments about altitude sickness are good ones. It is easy to underestimate just how high up Denver and the surrounding areas are.
If you are into hiking, which it appears you very much are, then I would be looking at The Colorado Trail. It runs from Denver to Durango. Can either hike it or bike it. You can do sections, or if feeling super adventurous, do the whole thing! Various videos on YouTube about it.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
