There’s a Great Hiking Trail in Northern Colorado That Takes 2+ Weeks
Outdoor activities in Colorado are what the state is all about, but are you up for a hike that could take you two weeks, start to finish?
You Can Thru-Hike the 299-Mile Northern Colorado Trail
You may have heard about people hiking the Appalachian Trail that stretches 2,200 miles on the east coast from Georgia to Maine, or even the Colorado Trail that goes 567 miles from Denver to Durango.
In 2024 a new trail opened, designed and completed by one man, that travels about 300 miles; though you don't have to do it all in one shot, it would take you over two weeks if you chose to do so.
The challenging NOCO Trail will take hikers into the Comanche Wilderness, the Rawah Wilderness, the Sawatch Range and the Flat Top Wilderness.
Going for a hike in Colorado can be one of the best ways to enjoy the Colorado outdoors: fresh air, it's not necessarily cold, and you're away the everyday hassles of life. Some enjoy a short hike, some enjoy taking on a challenge; here come one that we'll say is a challenge.
GearJunkie.com has the story on how a man from Colorado completed the 2,65-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which goes from Canada to Mexico, and started dreaming up his own "thru-hike" for Colorado.
READ MORE: The One Thing Coloradans Should Know Before Going for a Hike
Kevin Silvernale completed the NOCO Trail in 2024, and was the first (of course) to complete the trailhead-terminator "thru-hike." I do like to hike (I don't often enough,) but I don't know if I'm up for this one.
Where Does the Northern Colorado Trail Go?
About two miles from Estes Park is Dunraven; where you'll find the Dunraven Trailhead (on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park,) that's where you'll begin.
- Section 1: Dunraven Trailhead to Walden (86 miles)
- Section 2: Walden to Steamboat Springs (65 miles)
- Section 3: Steamboat to Yampa (56 miles)
- Section 4: Yampa to Glenwood Springs (91 miles)
So, you could hike just one section of the trail, just like folks hike the Colorado Trail.
There's camping available, beautiful vistas, lakes, and more along the trail, which took it's creator about 19 days to complete. Who's ready for a challenge?
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