The 5 Best Hikes Around Aspen

Hiking in the Roaring Fork Valley tends to feel both expansive and intimate—towering peaks, quiet aspen groves, and alpine lakes that arrive only after you’ve earned them. The region’s trail network offers everything from all-day, high-elevation traverses to short, rewarding viewpoints perfect for a quick reset. In the Best of Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt contest, local hikes were noted not just for scenery, but for the way each trail tells a different story about the land. Whether someone is chasing elevation gain, wildflowers, or stillness, there’s a trail here that meets them exactly where they are.

Maroon Bells Crater Lake (Snowmass Wilderness)

The hike to Crater Lake begins beneath one of Colorado’s most photographed landscapes—the twin summits of the Maroon Bells rising like cathedral spires above a glacial valley. The trail climbs steadily through groves of aspen and stretches of open rock, offering shifting angles of the Bells and the amphitheater of peaks around them. Crater Lake sits tucked high in the basin, a quiet, reflective pool ringed by scree fields and alpine wildflowers. It’s a route that rewards patience and pacing, but the scenery makes every step feel purposeful.

Arbaney Kittle Trail (Basalt)

Arbaney Kittle Trail delivers sustained climbing from the start, rising quickly into big views of the valley below. The ascent winds through dense forest before emerging onto exposed ridgelines where the Elk Mountains unfold in layered silhouettes. This trail is popular with locals looking to build strength and stamina—there’s little wasted effort here, and the payoff comes in the form of wide-open perspective. It’s a hike that reminds you how elevation shapes experience.

Four Pass Loop (Snowmass)

Four Pass Loop is a multi-day journey through some of the most dramatic backcountry terrain in the Elk Mountains. The route crosses four high alpine passes, each revealing new basins carved by glaciers and fed by snowmelt streams. Wildflowers blanket entire hillsides in summer, while marmots and pika watch from rocky ledges. The loop requires preparation, stamina, and respect for rapidly changing conditions—but for those who take it on, it offers a sense of immersion and scale that is unforgettable.

Buckskin Pass Trail (Snowmass)

Buckskin Pass climbs from forest floor to high saddle, shifting from shaded switchbacks to open alpine meadows and talus fields. At the summit, the view spans Pyramid Peak, Snowmass Mountain, and a sweep of ridges that feel close enough to touch. The trail has a meditative quality, inviting hikers to find their pace and settle into the rhythm of longer climbs. It’s a route that rewards both effort and attention.

Ruedi Overlook Trail (Basalt)

Ruedi Overlook Trail offers quieter terrain with sweeping views of Ruedi Reservoir and the surrounding hills. The path is steady rather than steep, making it an appealing option for those looking for solitude without committing to major elevation gain. Pines, sage, and open stretches of hillside create a calm landscape, and the overlook provides a high vantage point to take in the valley’s shape. It’s a reminder that powerful views aren’t always reserved for the highest summits.

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