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Best Lake Hikes in Colorado

The directory currently contains 14 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Colorado. Their average mapped distance is 7.5 km and average recorded ascent is 436 m (1,430 ft); the longest route in the set is 37.5 km.

This subset represents 8% of the 168 quality-checked routes in Colorado. Its average distance is 7.5 km, compared with 40.6 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 436 m (1,430 ft), versus 793 m (2,602 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set carries a lake tag in the directory. Whether the mapped line reaches the shore and whether swimming is allowed must be checked locally. Within this set, 1 routes (7%) are rated easy, 2 (14%) are rated hard or expert, and 1 (7%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

2.5 km

Emerald Lake Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

41 m

Black Lake Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Moderate

Upper Cascade Falls Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
784 m
Typical duration
2 hr 12 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Expert

Geneva Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
37.5 km
/ 23.3 mi
Elevation gain
2,175 m
Typical duration
11 hr
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Hard

Fern Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
11.8 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
918 m
Typical duration
3 hr 50 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Timber Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
4.7 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
443 m
Typical duration
1 hr 38 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
20020823 1657 Forest Plants on Black Lake Trail
Moderate

Black Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
4.6 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
41 m
Typical duration
1 hr 1 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Emerald Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
273 m
Typical duration
56 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Lake Haiyaha Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
142 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Easy

Bear Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Thunder Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
7.2 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
578 m
Typical duration
2 hr 22 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Lake Park Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
7.3 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
526 m
Typical duration
2 hr 18 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Moderate

Haynach Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Emmaline Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
8.4 km
/ 5.2 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
1 hr 48 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Castle and ruins
North aspect of Dallas Peak seen from Blue Lakes
Moderate

Blue Lakes

Colorado · United States

Distance
7.7 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
88 m
Typical duration
1 hr 44 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Blue Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
63 m
Typical duration
49 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Upper Cascade Falls TrailColorado4.9 km784 m2 hr 12 minModerateJuly to September
Geneva Lake TrailColorado37.5 km2,175 m11 hrExpertJuly to September
Fern Lake TrailColorado11.8 km918 m3 hr 50 minHardJuly to September
Timber Lake TrailColorado4.7 km443 m1 hr 38 minModerateJuly to September
Black Lake TrailColorado4.6 km41 m1 hr 1 minModerateJuly to September
Emerald Lake TrailColorado2.5 km273 m56 minModerateJuly to September
Lake Haiyaha TrailColorado1.4 km142 m31 minModerateJuly to September
Bear Lake TrailColorado1.0 km21 m15 minEasyJuly to September
Thunder Lake TrailColorado7.2 km578 m2 hr 22 minModerateJuly to September
Lake Park TrailColorado7.3 km526 m2 hr 18 minModerateJuly to September

Geneva Lake Trail, Upper Cascade Falls Trail, Fern Lake Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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