HIKING
When staying in Lyons to tick off some beautiful Colorado hikes you have options. Choose from epic adventures in one of the country’s grandest parks, Rocky Mountain National Park or from a whole slew of hidden gems closer to Lyons with hikes for all abilities and desires.
For those wanting a warm up hike to acclimate to our Colorado Rocky Mountain High elevation or as a good option on your arrival or departure day when you want something quick check out the Bitterbrush Short Loop. This trail gets 4.3 stars on All Trails which is a lot of stars for a shorter hike. This 1.6 mile loop should take you around 40 minutes to complete and has stunning views of the Front Range peaks of Colorado. This valley explodes with wildflowers in June and July making it even more beautiful.
Looking for a moderate length hike with a really nice elevation profile the Middle St. Vrain trail is a sure hit. This out and back trail spreads out 770 feet of gain very evenly across 3 miles and then eases you back down the same way. With lots of shade to keep you cool and protected from the high elevation sun this is a great mid-summer trail. For those who love water, and who doesn’t, it is close to the river adding views and a great soundtrack of rushing water.
Colorado Hiking in Lyons
When you are ready to step it up to a full day hike consider the Picture Rock Trail to Wild Turkey Trail loop. This comes in at just over 14 miles and takes your average hiker around 5.5 hours to complete, giving you a full day in the mountains with time to get back for a beer at the Rock Garden. The elevation profile is really kind so despite its healthy length it is not a grind. This trail passes through some historical Colorado homestead country for the history buffs out there.
These are just a few of the options near Lyons and as you do not have to enter The Park there is no access fee. When it comes to the legendary hikes in RMNP there are so many we could never cover them all but since we are closes to the Longs Peak entrance lets start there.
The hike to Chasm Lake at the base of Longs Peak is a Colorado Classic, starting in majestic pines and continuing to above tree line in a glacial carved valley. This trail packs it all including a heck or a workout. Be sure to bring plenty of food and water and a rain coat as we can get afternoon rainstorms that appear out of nowhere. For those ticking of 14ers you just hang a right before you get to Chasm and continue of the technical route. With limited camping options in the area and no hotels at this entrance to the park the Lyon’s location of the A-Lodge just may be your best Rocky Mountain National Park lodging option when bagging Longs Peak!
Rocky Mountain National Park Lodging
The Sky Pond trail will take you to towering rock formations that you would have thought only existed in Europe. This 8.6 mile hike has it all, pine forest, hidden alpine likes, alpine tundra and jagged peaks, be sure to take plenty of pictures.
One more hike we highly recommend is The Loch via Glacier Gorge. This trail features incredible views of Taylor Glacier, Eastern Glacier Knobs and several other breathtaking scenic mountain vistas.
One of the best things about staying with us at the A-Lodge is the combination of access to the uncrowded hiking trails close by and the world famous trails in RMNP with a fun hotel in the laid back town of Lyons. While Estes Park is closer to RMNP the prices are higher and the crowds are significant, can you say traffic jam? This is not the vibe you came to Colorado for and not the vibe you get when you choose us as your Rocky Mountain Park lodging option.
Our location is an easy 30 minutes from the main east side entrance to RMNP and the same distance to the Longs Peak entrance. It can take 30 minutes to get through Estes Park on a busy day in the summer so in these conditions why not enjoy the ease of taking the road less traveled.
Want more beta on which trails are right for you? Our staff are all outdoor adventurers and are happy to spend the time with you to pick the right trail for your adventure. This and our suites with equipped kitchens that help you get that alpine start and on-site beer garden make the A-Lodge the perfect place for your Colorado hiking vacation.