14 Terrific 14ers Near Denver (2023)
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Are you a mountaineering expert looking for your next big summit to conquer? Or maybe you’re just starting to think about summiting one of Colorado’s famed 14ers near Denver the first time?
Regardless, the stunning mountain ranges of Colorado are sure to provide some of the best hiking experiences for adventure lovers and climbers alike. Some of the highest mountains in the United States can be found here, and the views offered from their peaks are bound to leave you speechless.
The Denver area is home to an abundance of “14ers,” or mountains over 14,000 feet tall, which attract hikers and climbers from all over the world.
From gorgeous views to exhilarating climbs, I’ve rounded up the best 14ers near Denver that will have you feeling on top of the world. Some of these iconic peaks are more technical in nature, so make sure to always come prepared before every climb.
Get ready to lace up your boots and head out toward the summits of these amazing fourteeners near Denver!
🚗 Click here to rent a car for your trip to Denver!
While public transportation is alright in Denver, it’s truly easiest to get around by car. (Trust us, we didn’t have a car our first year living there… not fun!)
14ers Near Denver
Long’s Peak
Long’s Peak, standing at an impressive height of 14,259 feet, is located in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s roughly a 1-hour 20-minute drive from Denver.
The ascent to Long’s Peak is challenging as it requires climbing over boulders, traversing narrow ledges, and navigating through steep inclines. However, the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit makes it all worth it!
The climb takes around 10-12 hours and should only be attempted by experienced hikers with proper equipment.
One of the main attractions on Long’s Peak is its Keyhole Route which takes climbers up to the rocky peak. While this route provides incredible views, hikers need to be cautious as they pass through dangerous areas such as “The Ledges” and “The Trough”.
Climbing up Long’s Peak via Keyhole Route can also expose you to high altitude sickness due to its elevation. The Keyhole Route is not a hike but rather a technical climb that requires some mountaineering experience.
La Plata Peak
La Plata Peak is one of the most iconic and stunning peaks in the state of Colorado. Standing tall at an elevation of 14,360 feet, La Plata Peak is located in the Sawatch Range of central Colorado and is known for its rugged beauty and challenging trails.
It’ll take you about 2.5 hours by car to reach La Plata and another 6-9 hours to hike to La Plata Peak.
The peak was named “la plata” which means “the silver” in Spanish, as there was formerly a booming silver mining district that surrounded the base of the mountain. La Plata Peak is also considered the 5th-highest 14er in the Rockies!
La Plata Peak is considered a Class 2 peak, and there are certain sections that involve scrambling and some more technical elements.
Decalibron
Decalibron, often written out as DeCaLiBron to represent the peaks therein, is a group of four peaks located in Colorado. These peaks are Mount Democrat, Mount Cameron, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Bross.
If you’re looking to knock out several 14ers near Denver in one day, definitely add Decalibron to your list–it’s only a two-hour drive from Denver!
Hiking Decalibron is widely known as a rite of passage for Colorado hikers. It typically takes between 6-8 hours to complete Decalibron, depending on your pace and which route you take.
The climb isn’t too technical or long, but you will need to be in good physical shape, considering that most of the hiking will be at 13,000 feet and above. The four peaks that makeup Decalibron are rated as Class 2 peaks.
The trailhead starts at the Kite Lake Trailhead near Alma, Colorado. From there, hikers ascend each peak in order: Democrat (14,155 feet), Cameron (14,238 feet), Lincoln (14,295 feet), and finally, Bross (14,178 feet). This trail covers over 7 miles with an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet.
Mount Massive
Mount Massive is the second-highest peak in Colorado, just behind Mount Elbert. It stands at an impressive 14,429 feet and is located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. It’ll take you about 2.5 hours to drive from Denver to Mount Massive.
Mount Massive offers some incredible hiking opportunities for those who are up for the challenge. The most popular route up to the summit is via the East Slopes route, which starts from Halfmoon Creek Trailhead.
The trail begins with a gentle ascent through beautiful alpine meadows before becoming steeper as you approach the treeline. Once above the treeline, hikers will be treated to stunning views of surrounding peaks and valleys.
For hikers taking the East Slopes route, prepare for a long hike of over 13 miles round-trip with 4,500 feet of elevation gain. You’ll likely want to budget between 8-10 hours to complete this hike. It’s a pretty steep route, and the peak is considered a Class 2 difficulty level due to moderate rockfall and scrambling.
Mount Elbert
Mount Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado, standing tall at an impressive 14,440 feet! Located near Leadville in central Colorado, Mount Elbert is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. From Denver, it’ll take you roughly 3 hours to drive to Mount Elbert.
The summit of Mount Elbert can be reached by hiking the East Ridge Trail, which starts from the Mount Elbert Trailhead. The trail is approximately 11 miles and takes about 8-10 hours to complete. Hikers will encounter steep inclines and rocky terrain along the way but are rewarded with breathtaking views of nearby peaks and valleys.
This route is considered a Class 1, meaning that there are well-defined trails leading up to the summit and standard trail-hiking conditions present throughout.
Mount Princeton
Mount Princeton is a majestic peak located in the Sawatch Range of Colorado, standing at 14,196 feet above sea level. It is one of the most popular 14ers near Denver and thus can become relatively crowded on a nice day! It’ll likely take about 3 hours to reach the trailhead of Mount Princeton from Denver.
There are two possible starting points for the Mount Princeton climb, a lower trailhead at around 8,900 feet and a higher trailhead at around 11,000 feet. Needless to say, it’s a pretty challenging climb. It usually takes between 5.5 to 7 hours to complete depending on your pace and which starting point you choose.
The hiking route to the summit of Mount Princeton takes you through lush forests of aspen trees that eventually give way to alpine meadows filled with vibrant wildflowers. It’s incredibly rewarding to reach the peak, but getting there can be quite difficult. It is considered a Class 2 peak.
Huron Peak
Huron Peak is a 14,003-foot mountain located in the Sawatch Range of Colorado. It takes about 3 hours to drive from Denver to Huron Peak, covering a distance of 132 miles.
The trail to Huron Peak starts at the North Winfield Trailhead. The trail is well-marked and gains about 3,500 feet in elevation over a distance of approximately 6 miles.
Huron Peak is rated as a Class 2 difficulty level, so be prepared for traversing rockfall. Most hikers take between 5.5 to 6 hours to complete this route.
Mount Sherman
If you’re looking to conquer your first 14er near Denver, Mount Sherman is a great bet. It’s a prominent peak located in the Mosquito Range of Colorado, standing tall at an elevation of 14,036 feet. It is widely considered one of the best 14ers near Denver for beginners. It’s a 2-2.5 hour drive from Denver to reach the trailhead at Mount Sherman.
The summit of Mount Sherman provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. From its peak, hikers can see other nearby fourteener peaks such as Mount Bross, Mount Democrat, and Quandary Peak.
The mountain has two primary routes to reach its summit: the Southwest Ridge route and the East Slopes route. Both routes are relatively easy for experienced hikers but require proper preparation due to the high altitude. Hikers can expect to complete the round-trip experience in roughly 5-6 hours.
Overall, Mount Sherman is an excellent choice for beginner mountaineers who want to experience hiking up a Colorado fourteener without having to face extreme challenges or immense technical difficulties. The mountain’s accessibility makes it one of the easiest 14ers near Denver.
Gray’s Peak
Gray’s Peak, located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, stands at an elevation of 14,278 feet. From Denver, it’s only about an hour and fifteen-minute drive spanning over a distance of roughly 55 miles. This makes it one of the closest 14ers to Denver!
It is considered a Class 1 peak with a maintained trail to the summit, but hiking to the peak also requires a good level of physical fitness as it involves steep climbs and rocky terrain.
Depending on your route, the hike itself is roughly 7.5 miles roundtrip and has 3,000 feet of elevation gain! Despite it being a class 1, it is definitely a strenuous and challenging climb to the peak. Hikers should estimate between 3-5 hours, depending on their physical abilities and weather conditions.
Quandary Peak
Quandary Peak is a beautiful mountain located just south of Breckenridge, and it’s only a two-hour drive from Denver. It is situated in the Tenmile Range and stands at an impressive height of 14,265 feet.
It’s considered a Class 1 peak, and the total trip length is 6.6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of roughly 3,300 feet. However, it is widely considered one of the easiest 14ers near Denver due to its accessibility and maintained trail conditions. Hikers should plan to spend anywhere from between 4-6 hours hiking Quandary Peak.
Mount Evans
Mount Evans is a 14,265-foot peak located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, just 60 miles west of Denver. It’s known for its stunning views, high elevation, and unique landscapes.
If you’re looking for awesome 14ers close to Denver, Mount Evans should definitely be on your “to-hike” list. There are several trails with varying lengths and difficulties to choose from throughout the area around the mountain.
From the Echo Lake Trailhead, hikers can ascend upward toward the summit of Mount Evans. It is a highly strenuous Class 2 peak. Covering a distance of 17.2 miles roundtrip and gaining a whopping 5,500 feet in elevation, this climb is not recommended for beginners or for conquering as your first 14er near Denver. Make sure to budget between 12-14 hours to complete this route.
Torreys Peak
Torreys Peak, standing at an elevation of 14,267 feet, is located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. From Denver, it’s only an hour and fifteen-minute drive spanning 55 miles, which makes it one of the closest 14ers near Denver.
The trail to Torreys Peak begins with a moderate climb through a beautiful alpine valley filled with wildflowers during the summer months. As you continue to ascend, you will pass through a few switchbacks before reaching an open scree field that leads up to Grays Peak/Torreys Peak saddle.
From there, hikers can choose to summit either Grays or Torreys first before descending back down to their starting point. Most hikers choose to do both peaks in one day as they are adjacent to each other and offer stunning views from their summits. It is a short ridge walk to summit both peaks, and it is worth doing if you’ve never done it before!
While not technically difficult for experienced climbers, hiking Torreys Peak does require proper preparation and gear due to its high altitude and exposure to certain sections of the trail. It’s important for hikers to bring plenty of water, food/snacks, and layers! I recommend budgeting about 5 to 7 hours to summit Torreys Peak.
Pike’s Peak
Pike’s Peak is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Colorado. This incredible peak is located in the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs.
To visit Pike’s Peak from Denver, you can expect a 2-3 hour car ride spanning the distance of roughly 100 miles.
Pike’s Peak stands at 14,115 feet above sea level, and there are several trails that lead up the mountain with varying levels of difficulty.
The Barr Trail is a popular option that spans over 12 miles one-way and has an elevation gain of over 7,000 feet. It is rated as a Class 1, which means that you can expect fairly standard trail-type hiking. However, the length and elevation gain of the trail are what make this route potentially challenging for some hikers.
Regardless of which route you choose to explore this majestic mountain, be sure to come prepared for changing weather conditions, as temperatures at higher altitudes can be unpredictable.
Mount Bierstadt
Located just an hour away from Denver, Mount Bierstadt is considered one of the most accessible for first-timers because of its well-maintained trail and moderate difficulty rating compared to the other 14ers throughout the state.
Mount Bierstadt stands at 14,065 feet tall. This is a great first 14er near Denver.
The most popular route up Mount Bierstadt is via the West Slopes Trailhead. This trail starts at Guanella Pass and follows a well-marked path through alpine meadows and rocky terrain before reaching the summit.
While it’s not an easy hike by any means (the trail gains around 2,850 feet in elevation), it’s doable for most people with basic hiking experience and fitness levels. It is a 7.25-mile round-trip hike, and hikers should budget at least 4 hours to complete this route.
Final Thoughts: 14ers Near Denver
Conquering any of the 14ers near Denver offers a source of pride and adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. With Denver as your starting point, there are a ton of terrific peaks to choose from, all offering their own unique challenges and rewards.
Whether you’re a seasoned mountaineer or a first-timer looking for an unforgettable journey, any of these 14ers near Denver will give you a climb to remember. Pack your backpacks and prepare yourself for an epic adventure to the summit of one (or more!) of Colorado’s 14ers!
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