Colorado Lake Hikes

Colorado's beautiful landscapes, including its vast blue lakes, are world-famous. Whether they're manmade or natural, hiking around these waterways is something special. To inspire your weekend adventures, we've listed our favorite Colorado lake hikes.

Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes Trail, Georgetown

This wildflower-lined trail provides real value for lake lovers. The hike passes the edge of Naylor Lake before taking you past Silver Dollar Lake on the way to Murray Lake. The trail climbs 955 feet uphill, so you'll need moderate fitness, although most people should only take a few hours to make the 4.1-mile round journey. You could also take your time and fishing for cutthroat trout in Silver Dollar or Murray Lake. There's a parking lot near the trailhead, but it does fill quickly on beautiful days. Arrive early or hike off-season to beat the crowds.

Mohawk Lakes Hike, Breckenridge

Image via Flickr by s_mestdagh

The Mohawk Lakes Hike is also challenging, but the beautiful sights around every corner should inspire you to push forward. You can take the 6.8-mile loop trail around Lower Mohawk Lake or extend your journey with the connecting 6-mile loop around the Upper Mohawk Lake. The lakes are the real draw, but you'll also love admiring the pine and aspen forests, Continental Falls, and smaller cascades. An abandoned mining operation on the Lower Mohawk Lake loop is fascinating, but take care as some old mine shafts have collapsed on unsuspecting hikers.

Manitou Lake Loop, Woodland Park

Manitou Lake Loop is mostly flat, so it's a great choice for a leisurely lakeside stroll with the whole family, including leashed dogs. The path passes several fishing docks, where you can stop to catch rainbow and cutbow trout. Stop by the northern edge of the lake to admire the gorgeous views of Pikes Peak. You can also spend time on the lake paddle boarding, canoeing, or kayaking. It should take around one hour to complete the 1-mile loop without stopping. However, you can extend your hike by taking one of the trails that shoot off the lake loop.

Bear Creek Lake Trail Loop, Morrison

The 9.3-mile Bear Creek Lake Trail Loop is a moderately challenging trail that passes the popular Bear Creek Lake. The first half mile is along the side of a road, but most of the track is scenic. Wildflowers grow alongside the trail, and while getting to the top of Mount Carbon is challenging, you're rewarded with superb views. However, the track's biggest draw is the waterway that gives this loop its name.

The largest of three nearby lakes at almost 100 acres, Bear Creek Lake is a popular fishing hole and boating destination. You can take motorized boats on the lake from mid-March to mid-November. Since the lake is so large, you can easily enjoy music from a marine audio system without interrupting other boaters. The Bear Creek Lake Trail Loop is best tackled from April to October, as the path can get treacherously icy in cold weather. Take care after rain too, when mud can also make it slippery.

Booth Lake Hike, Vail

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Image via Flickr by advencap

The Booth Lake hike is a challenging hike through aspen forests, with an elevation gain of nearly 1,300 feet. Most hikers say it's worth the effort, but not for the reason you think. While Booth Lake is lovely, its beauty is second to the sight of Booth Creek Falls, a 60-foot waterfall at the 2-mile mark. You'll need to take a side trail to find it, but you won't want to miss this majestic fall, especially after rain when it's at the peak of its powers. Many people turn back after the falls, so the 1.2-mile path to the lake is serenely quiet.

Solitude Lake Hike, Estes Park

Rocky Mountains trails can get pretty crowded. If you want to get away from the masses, try the appropriately named Solitude Lake Hike. The 9-mile round trip should take between five and seven hours, so it provides just enough time to recharge your batteries before rejoining civilization. The trails aren't maintained, so they're only recommended for experienced hikers with strong navigation skills.

If you're up to the challenge though, you'll appreciate the peace and beauty you'll find here. Since it's not overrun with tourists, hikers regularly spot elk, deer, and marmots on the trails. The wildflowers also grow freely in the meadows and streams you'll pass. Solitude Lake sits a quarter of a mile past Shelf Lake. Shelf Lake Falls, a breathtaking waterfall set in among large rocks, sits between them. These aren't the only falls either. As you pass Alberta Falls and Mills Lake, you'll be glad you got off the beaten track.

Brainard Lake CMC Cabin Hike, Nederland

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Image via Flickr by Max and Dee

Most lake hikes are strictly warm-weather affairs, but the Brainard Lake CMC Cabin Hike offers outdoor fun all year round. There are actually two different trails: the Snowshoe Trail and the Waldrop Trail, which suits hiking in warm weather and skiing during winter. Each path starts at the Gateway Trailhead, sometimes called the Brainard Lake Winter Lot. The 3-mile path takes you out to Brainard Lake, a small but stunning lake surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Allow around two hours in warm weather and four hours in winter for the 6-mile round trip, depending on the conditions.

Jasper Lake Hike, Nederland

Another Nederland hike, Jasper Lake Hike is the ultimate lake trek for hiking enthusiasts. It's 5.5 miles one-way over mountainous rocky terrain, so recommended for experienced hikers with good physical fitness. However, if you can handle it and have between six and seven hours to spare, your efforts will be well rewarded.

Your journey starts at the Hessie Trailhead. The parking lot fills quickly, but a free shuttle service from Maryland Mountain will take you there every weekend over summer. Along the way look out for moose, waterfalls, and the magnificent Indian Peaks. If you're feeling fit, walk a mile beyond Jasper Lake to admire Devil's Thumb Lake and the nearby rock formation that gives this lake its name.

Why spend another weekend on the couch when you could reconnect with nature? These top Colorado lake hikes should provide all the inspiration you need to get moving and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.