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Buena Vista, Colorado

Looking for the best hiking in Buena Vista? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Buena Vista. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Buena Vista

  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hope Pass via Willis Gulch

    5.0
    8.75 mi / 3297 ft gain
    Hope Pass is accessed from the Willis Gulch trailhead about 25 miles outside of Leadville, Colorado. To get to the trail head, follow Highway 24 East for about 16 miles until you arrive at the junction for Highway 82. Turn right and follow Highway 82 for about 8.3 miles. You will see a sign on th...
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  • Twin Lakes, Colorado

    Camp at Twin Lakes' White Star Campground

    4.5
    This area is located on the other side of Independence Pass from Aspen, which is only accessible during the summer, or can be reached year-round via Leadville, which is about 20 miles away along Highway 24. From Twin Lakes Village drive approximately 1.5 miles east on Highway 82 and take the exit...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mount Elbert via the Southeast Ridge Trailhead (Winter Route)

    13.48 mi / 4885 ft gain
    Classic Route to the Summit of Colorado's highest peak Great for All Seasons this is the Recommended Winter Route with minimal Avalanche Danger.  Known as the South Mount Elbert trail, the East Ridge trail or a combo of both, this trail is truly beautiful and remote. DIRECTIONS: To reach the t...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mt. Elbert via Black Cloud Trail

    4.5
    10.69 mi / 4967 ft gain
    Directions:  Heading south from Leadville from U.S. 24: West on CO 82 for 10.5 miles to a hidden right turn that leads to a trail head. If you make it to the Mt. Elbert Lodge, you have gone just a bit too far. The parking lot (aka: dirt access) should be relatively empty as everyone tends to hik...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Mountain Bike the Colorado Trail near Mount Elbert

    This is the way to see fall colors if you're into empty trails and endorphins. Grind up the trail starting from South Elbert Trailhead. You'll turn right onto the Colorado Trail at .3 miles and stay here for as long as you like, or 7.3 miles to the Mount Elbert Trailhead. Turn around and go back ...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Ski or Snowshoe to the Weston Pass Hut

    5.0
    13.4 mi / 2400 ft gain
    Your trip starts at the winter trailhead for Weston Pass, approximately 6.7 miles from the hut. Depending on road conditions, you may be able to cut off a few miles by driving further up the road.In the summer, you can drive all the way to the hut, and enjoy a great basecamp for hiking and trail ...
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  • Salida, Colorado

    Waterdog Lakes Trail

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 1056 ft gain
    Waterdog Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Salida, Colorado.
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  • Fairplay, Colorado

    Climb Horseshoe Mountain via Boudoir Couloir

    7 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Horseshoe Mountain is a peak that is ranked in the top 100 tallest peaks in Colorado at 13,898 feet, and it can be done in the summer but is arguably more fun in the spring as a snow climb. Avalanche safety, snow climbing, and snow safety experience is necessary. To get to the trailhead, follo...
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  • Fairplay, Colorado

    Hike Mount Sherman

    4.2
    10.5 mi / 2100 ft gain
    A mile South of Fairplay, turn West onto 4 Mile Creek Road (dirt) and follow it for about 8 miles. The road passes a number of excellent camping spots and finally ends at the ruins of an old mine. Parking is available about a quarter mile from the mining area. Don't park at the gate as its possib...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Summit La Plata Peak

    5.0
    9.25 mi / 4500 ft gain
    The Northwest Ridge is the most easily accessible and popular route, and for good reasons. The trailhead is on the side of Hwy 82, otherwise known as Independence Pass, about 14.5 miles from the Hwy 24 junction, or about 10 miles from Twin Lakes to the east. The trailhead is hard to miss, and you...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    North Mount Elbert Trail

    4.5
    9.07 mi / 4432 ft gain
    Start your trip at the North Elbert Creek trailhead, reached by taking Colorado 300 just south of Leadville, and then a left on County road 11 and a right on Halfmoon Creek road. The dirt road to the trailhead is well traveled. The trail begins from the parking lot and winds upwards past 2 clear...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes

    8.49 mi / 1099 ft gain
    Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Leadville, Colorado.
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Hike Mount Massive

    4.8
    Starting from the Mt Massive Trailhead off of Halfmoon Creek Road (a half mile past the more popular Mt Elbert Trailhead), follow the excellent and easy trail into the woods. This trail is wide and abnormally flat for a 14er trail for the first three miles. During these first 3 miles the only rea...
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  • Parlin, Colorado

    Hike to Roosevelt Mine

    5.0
    1.5 mi
    Abandoned in 1919, Roosevelt Mine is a lost treasure of Gunnison County, Colorado. Exactly three miles outside the tiny town of Ohio City is the unmarked trailhead on the side of a road pull off for Roosevelt the mine. The trail is otherwise well established and easy to follow. The trail is a lit...
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  • Independence, Ohio

    Hike Mountain Boy Ridge from the Top of Independence Pass

    5.0
    6 mi
    The trailhead is to the Independence Pass viewing deck is located at the Summit parking area, which is about 20 miles from Aspen and 24 miles west of Highway 24 on the Leadville side. At the parking area you will notice a paved walkway that takes you to the viewdeck, which is a easy five minute w...
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  • Independence, Ohio

    Hike Lost Man Pass via Independence Lake

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Park at the pull out just west of independence pass. From there, begin on the Linkin's Lake Trail. The trail is generally easy to follow (although it can be muddy as it is a wet area) and climbs 900 feet in the 1.8 miles to independence lake. From Independence lake it is about 0.5 miles and 400 f...
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