8 spring hikes worth checking out around Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Here are some of the best spring hikes in Colorado to check out this year:

(Editor's note: Spring can mean muddy trails. In order to protect the trail, walk through the mud - not around it, as walking around it can result in damage and erosion. It's also worth noting that sometimes trails are simply too muddy to travel without causing damage. When conditions like that are present, find another hiking option.)

Cub Lake Trail

- Distance: 2.3 miles one way

Located in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), hikers will trek through scenic meadows and get great mountain views on their journey to Cub Lake. This is an easy/moderate hike, so it's perfect for starting out after the winter.

Hanging Lake

- Distance: 1.2 miles

Visit Glenwood describes this trail as "steep, rigorous and rocky but rewarding." Located near Glenwood Springs, the hike features stunning scenery and gentle waterfalls. Hanging Lake itself is a stunning turquoise that appears as if it's suspended in the canyon, giving it it's name. Visit Glenwood Springs notes that the hike can be challenging for some, as the beginning and end of the hike is steep, rugged and rocky.

Herman Gulch

- Distance: 6.6 miles

Near the Eisenhower Tunnel, hikers will walk through meadows surrounded by snow-capped mountains on this hike in the spring. Herman Creek also flows down the mountain. The hike leads to Herman Lake, a great place to take a lunch break.

Garden of the Gods

- Distance: 0.5 miles

Ridge Trail is a moderate loop with less than a 100-foot rise in elevation, but still gives you the feeling of being in the rocks at Garden of the Gods. This makes it a perfect family-friendly adventure to get back into hiking as the season changes from winter to summer.

It's also worth noting that if Ridge Trail is too muddy, there's a paved loop in the area that's typically good to go regardless of trail conditions.

Barr Trail

- Distance: 12.6-13 miles

If you're looking for a challenge, this is the hike for you. The trail leads to the top of Pikes Peak, which is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, according to All Trails. All Trails also notes that the top of Pikes Peak can get very stormy, so it's best to start early. Hikers also might need technical gear and skills to complete the hike while winter conditions last.

Save this one for later in the spring when the mountain top snow is mostly gone.

Nymph Lake Trail

- Distance: 1 mile

This is a smaller scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. All Trails notes that you should have experience hiking in winter conditions and that it's important to keep an eye on weather and avalanche conditions.

Manitou Incline

- Distance: About 1 mile up (plus nearly three miles down Barr Trail)

This iconic leg-burning hike in Manitou Springs (near Colorado Springs) is a great, and very challenging, option for spring because it opens early and is usually on the drier side.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

- Distance: Varies based on trail

Located in Colorado Springs, this area is also usually dry early. The area features multiple great hiking loops like the Mesa, Greenlee and Red Rock Canyon trail. Do note that while this area tends to dry out for the season early due to the ample sunshine that hits this spot, it can also get quite muddy after springtime snow or rain. Keep this in mind while planning a trip and maybe let it dry out for a few days after a significant storm.

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This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 5:34 AM.