Now that the dead of winter is officially behind us, early spring is the time to break out hiking boots that have been tucked away in your closet. As the sun begins to shine and clear Western Colorado skies, these accessible hikes, ranked from beginner to most difficult, are sure to inspire your next great adventure.

Finding the right hike for you is important. Accessibility, in this case, means many different things: weather permitting terrain, fitness ability and gear needed to trek up and down the trail. Some hikes may need spikes or traction due to lingering snow, while other hike locations’ icy terrain may be more difficult to navigate. But regardless of your skill level and hiking experience, there are trails for everyone to start their hiking journey, or to even begin their training regimen for 14ers later this year.

Grab your boots, packs, spikes, and poles and get ready to set off on your next adventure.

Beginner Trails:

Holy Bucket Miramonte Rim Loop Trail
Grand Junction

Rated good for all skillsets, this trail features a small workout with its elevation gain and decrease throughout the 5.1-mile hike. Views include the town of Grand Junction with boulders and rocks surrounding the easily-identifiable trail. Take your furry friend on a leash and set out for a relaxing hike!

Lily Pad Lake Trail
Silverthorne

This out-and-back trail leads up to the Lily Pad Lake, a quaint lake hidden in the mountains of Silverthorne. Nested in the Eagle Nest Wilderness area, the 3.3-mile hike is easy enough to bear during colder days and acts as accessible all-year-round. Spikes are recommended towards the lake, where ice can be a bit difficult to pass, however, the snow is packed down in most areas of the trail.

Rainbow Lake Trail
Frisco

Perfect for a short afternoon hike, this 1.5-mile hike in Arapahoe National Forest features a quick elevation gain with the reward of Rainbow Lake at the top. Recent recommendations of the trail state that spikes or snowshoes are not necessary, making this a perfect hike for those without the works of equipment. Be careful finding parking, with signs close to the trailhead pointing to free parking zones.

Moderate Hikes:

Lionshead Rock
Minturn

Nestled in White River National Forest, Lionshead Rock is an uphill out-and-back trail with Game Creek greeting you on the ascend. The 4-mile trail has beautiful views throughout to the summit, with packed snow and ice still on the ground in the spring, so make sure to bring your crampons or spikes.

Lower Crystal Lake
Breckenridge

This winter wonderland hike holds snow in the spring, so be sure to bring snowshoes! The 4.6-mile hike passes Francie’s Cabin, one of the most popular mountain huts in Colorado, eventually leading to the small Lower Crystal Lake. A hike with multiple destination views, perfect for a weekend adventure.

Meadow Creek Trails
Frisco

This long 8.4-mile hike is perfect for a long, not too difficult workout. The trail features a steady incline, with snow blanketing the bare aspen trees. The current condition of the trail has it easy to complete without spikes. Make sure to come back in later in March when the aspen leaves return!

Challenging Hikes:

Mount Garfield
Palisade

This trail, with almost a 2,000-foot elevation gain in the short 3.8 miles, definitely is a great starting point for your 14er training. This hike is perfect for these early spring months before the heat makes the steep climb grueling. Get ready for a tough workout!

Mount Royal Trail
Frisco

See Frisco from a new vantage point through the Mount Royal Trail. This 3.9-mile hike has a 1,374-foot elevation gain, so be sure to get your spikes to make the climb up easier. The uphill trek is worth it with wonderful views of the city of Frisco on your way up and down again.

Rattlesnake Arches Trail
Grand Junction

Looking for an all-day excursion with some silence and a challenge? Look no further than Rattlesnake Arches, a 13.5-mile trail with an incredible desert landscape. Make sure to pay close attention to the map, as getting off trail can become likely.

Finding accessible hikes this time of year can be difficult, but with the right research, everyone can climb every mountain! While we wait for the snow to melt and the weather to warm up, these trails allow us to get our hiking boots a little dirty.

9 Western Colorado Hikes To Try This Spring

Beginner Trails:

Moderate Hikes:

Challenging Hikes: