Summer in Aspen, Colorado: Explore Aspen Hiking Trails

Aspen hiking trails are some of the most beautiful of all the wonderful Colorado hiking trails. I have found over the years that Aspen hiking is the highlight of spending the summer in Aspen, Colorado. Anytime you visit the Aspen hiking trails, or for that matter, any Colorado hiking trails, be sure to bring plenty of water-in the dry climate of the hiking trails in Colorado, it is easy to get dehydrated quickly. Also, when you hike on the hiking trails in Colorado, you'll want plenty of sunscreen because the high altitude of Colorado hiking trails often leads to severe sunburns.

Aspen, Colorado is best known for its great skiing, rather than the great Aspen hiking trails, but I have found that summer in Aspen, Colorado is actually preferable to the winter season. This is mostly because of the low lodging prices in the off-season, as well as the Aspen music festival and other artistic performances that take place during the summer in Aspen, Colorado. But my favorite thing to do when spending the summer in Aspen, Colorado is to tour the Aspen hiking trails, where I find some of the most scenic views of all the Colorado hiking trails. Here are my five favorite Aspen hiking trails-they also happen to be five of the best hiking trails in Colorado!

1. Ute Trail

This Aspen hiking trail begins at Ute Park. The Ute trail features a steep hike up, which is typical of Colorado Hiking trails, including the Aspen hiking trails. The vegetation is lush-you will see Aspen trees, oak trees and tall evergreens. This variety of vegetation can only be found on the hiking trails in Colorado. The Ute Trail also has a extension with one of the best overlooks of all the hiking trails in Colorado.

2. Castle Creek Trail

The Castle Creek Trail is a great place to explore during the summer in Aspen, Colorado because the Aspen hiking trail is right next to the ghost town of Ashcroft. The highlight of this Aspen hiking trail is exploring the ghost town. Ghost towns are one of my favorite places to visit during the summer in Aspen, Colorado, which is why I find the combination of a ghost town and this Aspen hiking trail especially exciting.

3. Shadow Mountain Loop

This is one of the shorter Aspen hiking trails-at 1.8 miles, Shadow Mountain Loop is much easier to hike that most Colorado hiking trails. There are a few steep areas near the beginning and ending of this Aspen hiking trail, but the rest of the hike is fairly flat and can easily be completed in 30 to 45 minutes. Shadow Mountain Loop features the wildflowers that make summer in Aspen, Colorado so darn beautiful: wild rose, aspen daisy, sego lily and others.

4. Upper Rio Grande Loop

I love this Aspen hiking trail because, unlike all the other hiking trails in Colorado, this Colorado hiking trail is paved! You can walk and bike on the paved area, or explore the unpaved nature loop (hiking only). The trail follows the Roaring Fork River and has several bridges that cross the river, offering scenic views.

5. Hunter Valley Loop

The Hunter Valley Loop is one of the Aspen hiking trails best suited to families, as it gains less than 500 feet in elevation and is not overly strenuous, especially compared to typical Colorado hiking trails. Hunter Valley Loop's 4.2 miles can be hiked in under two hours, which is the same amount of time required to hike 2 miles on many hiking trails in Colorado. Children and adults alike will enjoy views of an old ranch. The buildings are on private property and should be avoided because the structures are very weak and near collapse. Still, they are fun to look at while exploring this Aspen hiking trail.

There are many things to do when you spend the summer in Aspen, Colorado, but one of the most enjoyable activities is hiking on the many Aspen hiking trails. Come prepared to experience the best hiking trails in Colorado!