Hiking & Running

Climb high

Lake County’s hiking trails offer a mellow stroll, a lung-busting summit climb, and everything in between. Whether you choose mild or wild, the area’s alpine lakes, aspen and pine, and lofty peaks guarantee a scenic trek.

Click for Lake County Hiking Map

Click for Turquoise Lake Hiking Map

Click for Twin Lakes Hiking Map

The Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail give you easy access to day hikes from camp or overnight backpacking adventures. A hut trip or yurt camping also make for a unique hiking-inspired overnight.

Heading into the backcountry in winter? Please prepare with our Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Resources and the current avalanche forecast. Know before you go!

 

Climbing 14ers

        For an experience you'll never forget, climb a 14er near Leadville. Start early in the morning and watch the sun rise over the mountains as you climb up through forested slopes and tundra. The higher you go, the better the views as you explore the world above treeline. When you reach the summit, you can see mountain peaks and wilderness for ...

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        Colorado Trail & Continental Divide Trail

              The Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) run together through most of Lake County, Colorado. Hikers and trail runners can access these trails at multiple points. The trails are open to bikes except in the Mt. Massive Wilderness. Some portions of the trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. See why this beautiful area is called the "spiritual ...

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              Community Threads

              609 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461  |  (719) 486-4000  |  Website >

                    Community Threads offers a wide range of new and consigned sporting goods, athletic and casual clothing, running shoes, and gifts. Visit us to pick up an extra layer or to outfit yourself with gear for your favorite sport, all at an affordable price....

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                    Galena Mountain Projects

                    522 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO  |  719-293-1229  |  Website >

                          Galena Mountain, elevation 12,893, is the brand's namesake and embodies the spirit of bigger isn't always better and that the little wild things in life are often the richest. We make all sorts of Leadville inspired stuff, backcountry sunshirts, guidebooks to the next adventure, simple webbing belts that will keep your pants up, and more. Our signature modern western shirts feature ...

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                          East Side Mining District Roads

                          Co Rd 1, Leadville, CO 80461

                                An intriguing network of county roads threads through Leadville's East Side Mining District. As you explore these dirt roads, you'll pass 1880s headframes, wooden ore houses, and maybe even rail tracks heading into a hillside. To the west are incredible views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, the state's two highest peaks. To the east looms the Mosquito Range and the ...

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                                Groomed Winter Trails in Leadville

                                      Snow comes early and stays late in North America's highest city! Conditions are great from late fall well into May. Whether you Nordic ski, snowshoe, fat bike, or snowmobile, you'll love the groomed winter trails in historic Leadville, Colorado. Hit the motherlode! Why Leadville's Trails Are Pure Gold Low Cost: Access 60 miles of trails at a great value! Groomed Regularly ...

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                                      Hut Trips

                                            Prefer to camp with a roof over your head? For a Colorado classic experience, gather a group of friends for a hut trip you’ll remember forever. The 10th Mountain Division Huts are perfect base camps in summer or winter for backcountry hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing. Or journey to 12,000’ for a night at Weston Pass Hut, sustainable lodging built into the ...

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                                            Interlaken Trail

                                            Colorado Trail, Buena Vista, CO 81211

                                                  The trail to Interlaken leads to a turn-of-the-century ghost resort on the shores of Twin Lakes. Along the way, you'll pass through pine forests, aspen groves, and revel in views across a large blue glacial lake and out to some of the state's highest peaks. When you reach Interlaken, you can wander around the buildings, tour through James Dexter's cupola-topped cabin, ...

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                                                  Leadville Outdoors

                                                  225 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461  |  (719) 486-7392  |  Website >

                                                        Leadville Outdoors is an independent mountain shop located in historic downtown Leadville, Colorado. We cater to the backcountry and cross-country skier, trail runner, backpacker, and mountain lover. You can rely on our great selection of quality essentials and an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff. We're happy to dial you in with maps and trail conditions, help you pick the appropriate gear, ...

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                                                        Leadville National Fish Hatchery

                                                        2846 Highway 300, Leadville, CO 80461  |  (719) 486-0189  |  Website >

                                                              Watch fish swish at the Leadville National Fish Hatchery, built in 1889 and the nation’s second-oldest federal hatchery. Tours, Trails, and Picnics For a close-up view of the fish production process, take a self-guided tour through this brownstone building, with tanks of fish inside and out. Tours are available by appointment to organized groups. Walk the hatchery’s scenic one-mile nature trail ...

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                                                              Mineral Belt Trail

                                                              Mineral Belt Trail, U.S. 24, Leadville Website >

                                                                    On Leadville’s famous Mineral Belt Trail, you can see the tops of the towering Sawatch mountains and remnants of 1880s silver mines, all on a paved, 11.6 mile loop around town. It's a great trail for a family biking trip! Find local bike rentals! Did you know the Guggenheims made their fortune in Leadville? See the headframe where they struck ...

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                                                                    Mineral Belt Trail – Groomed Winter Trail

                                                                          Trail Name: Mineral Belt Trail Distance: Loop of 11.6 miles, with numerous access points Elevation Gain: 9,900' - 10,600' Activities: Non-motorized: Nordic ski, skate ski, snowshoe, fat bike, walk Difficulty Rating: Blue Equipment: Rent equipment in downtown Leadville Cost: Free * Conditions: See the latest grooming report. TRAIL MAP Why It’s a Gem This trail loops the city of Leadville, ...

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                                                                          Pack Burro Picnics

                                                                            |  719-293-4213  |  Website >

                                                                                Pack Burro Picnics 5-hour Hiking Experience 5 Miles Round Trip Minimum 4 Guests, Maximum 8 Guests Picnic Lunch Included A Pack Burro Picnic is a unique way to experience the high alpine back country in Colorado. The tour starts at an elevation of 10,500 feet and ascends approximately 2 miles to the summit of Chalk Mountain at an elevation of ...

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                                                                                Timberline Lake Trail

                                                                                Forest Rd 104E, Leadville, CO 80461 Website >

                                                                                      This short, scenic trail leads to an alpine lake set beneath a rocky ridge and surrounded by pines. Distance: 4.4 miles Sports: Hiking, Running Directions to Trailhead: From Leadville, follow signs to Turquoise Lake. The trailhead is at the western end of Turquoise Lake, just northwest of the May Queen Campground....

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                                                                                      Top Out Adventures

                                                                                        |  615-606-8717  |  Website >

                                                                                            Top Out Adventures is a premier guiding and adventure travel group. From the permits, lodging and transportation to route setting, they take care of the details. With experienced guides who are highly trained in the outdoor and medical response, you will have an adventure you'll never forget. You can join the Top Out Adventures crew on an all-inclusive trip staying at ...

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                                                                                            Turquoise Lake Nature Trail

                                                                                            County Rd 9C, Leadville, CO 80461 Website >

                                                                                                  This gentle trail offers a relaxing way to enjoy Turquoise Lake. You’ll stroll from the depths of the forest to the shoreline of Turquoise Lake and everywhere in between. Along the way, you'll see lodgepole pines, dwarf mistletoe, animal inns, and even a prospect pit. Distance: 1.2 miles Sports: Hiking Directions to Trailhead: From the main Turquoise Lake Loop Road, ...

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                                                                                                  Yurt Camping

                                                                                                        Discover your inner nomad with a trip to a Colorado yurt. These unique structures make for a new-and-different camping experience. (Surprise: They're warm in winter!) Trek to the high, remote Leadville Backcountry Yurts or spend a night in luxury at the Tennessee Pass sleep yurts for a special adventure. Have a bigger group? Consider a hut trip with room for ...

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