How To Find A Hike

Finding a hike can be an intimidating process, I’ve been hiking for years and still get a little nervous when trying out a new route or area. I’ve found a few things make it easier when it comes to finding a trail that’s going to work for you and your skill level.

My favorite App to find a new hike is AllTrails, where you can search by city, park or the trail itself. I usually start with a general area I want to explore, then browse from there.

Here are a few important things to consider when picking a hike:

Distance

Don’t try to tackle too much too soon. If you’re new to hiking, starting with trails that are less than 2 miles is perfect for beginners. If I’m working my way up to a long hike then each week I’ll do a hike that adds about a mile from my last one. Being in shape for hiking is very different from being “in shape” in the gym. I’ve brought big muscly men with six packs that could barely make it on a three-mile trail – take it easy on yourself and start small! Also make sure you’re paying attention to if the distance is round trip or just one direction on the out & back trails.

Elevation Gain

My biggest advice when it comes to finding hikes is to look at the elevation gain which is the total amount of elevation you will climb on the hike. Essentially, how steep will it be? For me, this has a bigger impact on my hike than the actual mileage. Less than a couple hundred feet in elevation gain and it’s essentially a nice leisurely walk. Also, keep an eye on the mileage vs elevation gain. 700 ft in elevation gain may not sound too difficult, but if it’s in less than a mile you’re for sure going to have some steep parts.

Comments

I always, always read the comments on the trail before heading out. It’s important for a couple of reasons: first because you can see the latest trail conditions which is especially helpful in the transition seasons. Has it been muddy? Icy? It helps you figure out what shoes to wear, how to dress, etc. The comments will also let you know if there’s something about the trail that may trip you up or if it’s difficult to follow.

This is also typically where you’ll learn more about the terrain, how rocky or shady it may be along the trail.

Time of Year

Hiking in Colorado varies drastically by the season and time of year, but also by the latest weather patterns. During the winter if you’re looking to avoid the snow, stick to hikes in the foothills. Spring can be incredibly muddy or still snowy depending on the snowpack and how fast it’s warming up. In the summer it’s almost a guarantee you’ll run into an early afternoon thunderstorm so plan your timing accordingly. Fall is one of my favorite times to hike in this beautiful state, especially once the Aspens start to pop! I’ll be glued to the comments to find out which trails have the brightest colors or which are past peak.

Popularity

Often on AllTrails you can get an idea from how busy a hike is by how many reviews it has and by the comments. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds head out early, arriving by sunrise will generally ensure you a parking spot and less people. However, if you’re a new hiker you may like the comfort of knowing there are plenty of people to ask for help if you run into a problem or fork in the trail.

Ready to hit the trails?

Kylie Bearse

Kylie Bearse

When I’m not exploring the trails, I’m a Meteorologist! You can see me every weekday morning on Fox31 KDVR from 4:30-10am! Have a weather question? Don’t hesitate to ask!

Kylie Bearse

Kylie Bearse

When I’m not exploring the trails, I’m a Meteorologist! You can see me every weekday morning on Fox31 KDVR from 4:30-10am! Have a weather question? Don’t hesitate to ask!

Join Kylie On YouTube!

Click HERE to get subscribed and join our YouTube community!

Kylie Bearse

Kylie Bearse

When I’m not exploring the trails, I’m a Meteorologist! You can see me every weekday morning on Fox31 KDVR from 4:30-10am! Have a weather question? Don’t hesitate to ask!

More From Kylie

Weekend in Colorado Springs

Weekend in Colorado Springs

I haven't spent any substantial time in Colorado Springs in years, so I was so delighted to take a weekend and totally relax in this very beautiful part of our state. I hadn't explored Garden of the Gods since college but it's as beauitful as ever. However, my very...

Wine & Wildflower Hike

Wine & Wildflower Hike

This was my first year at the Vail Wine Classic and it was an absolute blast. As expected, the wine was exceptional and getting to meet the people behind the wine made it all the more special. But maybe the best part was the Wine & Wildflower hike! I'm going to...

Weekend Hiking Trip in Vail

Weekend Hiking Trip in Vail

This summer I've been trying to get out of the city and into the mountains just about every weekend. When I was dealing with higher anxiety this spring I took note of what was important & what helps - and no surprise that has me prioritizing time in nature. I...

Denver on a Budget

Denver on a Budget

Denver can be an expensive city to live in and visit, but there are also a ton of ways to enjoy the Mile High City and the mountains on a budget. It can take a little creativity and lots of time outside, but here are my favorite ways to save money & still enjoy...

2022 Moab Road Trip

2022 Moab Road Trip

Moab is one of my favorite road trips from Denver - the drive is only 5 hours and the hiking, biking & off-roading trails are seemingly endless. This was my fifth trip to Moab and I was still amazed at the beauty and found new trails to explore. I knew it would...