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Loop Trails in Colorado

The directory currently contains 15 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Colorado. Their average mapped distance is 2.8 km and average recorded ascent is 102 m (335 ft); the longest route in the set is 6.0 km.

This subset represents 9% of the 168 quality-checked routes in Colorado. Its average distance is 2.8 km, compared with 40.6 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 102 m (335 ft), versus 793 m (2,602 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 8 routes (53%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 15 (100%) 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

1.0 km

Bear Lake Trail

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

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

0 m

Dancing Horse Trail

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

Return logistics

6 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

Easy

Bear Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
The Hornbek homestead in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado
Moderate

Hornbek Wildlife Loop

Colorado · United States

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
145 m
Typical duration
1 hr 26 min
  • Mountain
  • Wildlife watching
Moderate

Jud Wiebe Memorial Loop

Colorado · United States

Distance
5.4 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
514 m
Typical duration
1 hr 54 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

Cabin Canyon Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
58 m
Typical duration
19 min
  • Canyon and gorge
A petrified redwood stump in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado.
Easy

Petrified Forest Loop

Colorado · United States

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Scenic Overlook Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Easy

Siamese Twins Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
14 min
Easy

Forest Discovery Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Wagon Loop Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
5.9 km
/ 3.7 mi
Elevation gain
256 m
Typical duration
1 hr 37 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

Towhee Loop

Colorado · United States

Distance
4.7 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
180 m
Typical duration
1 hr 15 min

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
Bear Lake TrailColorado1.0 km21 m15 minEasyJuly to September
Hornbek Wildlife LoopColorado5.8 km145 m1 hr 26 minModerateJuly to September
Jud Wiebe Memorial LoopColorado5.4 km514 m1 hr 54 minModerateJuly to September
Dancing Horse TrailColorado1.3 km0 m16 minEasyApril to October
Cabin Canyon TrailColorado1.1 km58 m19 minModerateJune to October
Petrified Forest LoopColorado1.8 km24 m24 minEasyJuly to September
Scenic Overlook TrailColorado0.5 km24 m8 minModerateJune to October
DFC 1 Mile Walking CourseColorado1.6 km8 m21 minEasyJune to October
DFC 2 Mile Walking CourseColorado3.3 km7 m42 minEasyJune to October
Siamese Twins TrailColorado0.9 km35 m14 minEasyJune to October

Bear Lake Trail, Hornbek Wildlife Loop, Jud Wiebe Memorial Loop 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.

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