The 14ers. This mega-classic, ultra-popular challenge permeates every aspect of Colorado culture. Includes all Colorado peaks over 14,000 ft high with at least 300 ft of prominence... with 2 "sentimental" exceptions (El Diente and North Maroon Peak). A true showcase of Colorado's diverse mountains, encompassing the highest peaks in the Sawatch, Elk, San Juan, Sangre de Cristo, Mosquito, Ten Mile, and Front Ranges. The wide range of difficulty of these peaks lets you start out slowly with easier hikes to gain experience before tackling the harder peaks.
Highest peak
Mount Elbert
14,440 ft / 4,401 m
Most prominent peak
Mount Elbert
9,093 ft / 2,771 m prom
Most summited peak
Mount Elbert
357 summits
Most difficult peak
Mount Elbert
Class 1
Difficulty breakdown
Class 1/2 36 peaks
Class 3/4 17 peaks
Class 5+ 1 peak
Highlights
- Climb the iconic Class 3 Keyhole route of Longs Peak, the majestic centerpiece peak of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Stand on the highest peak in Colorado, Mt Elbert. Then stand on all of the surrounding 14ers of the Sawatch Range and look back at Elbert and see other hikers looking back at you.
- Head to the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado to experience what many consider the most spectacular mountains in the state. Get off the Durango steam train mid-route and head to the remote Chicago Basin to climb the elusive trio of Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus. Start preparing now for the leap-of-faith summit block move on Sunlight.
- Peer down on the sprawling Great Sand Dunes National Park from the jagged heights of the Crestones in the Sangre de Cristos. Attempt the famous Crestone Traverse if you've got the skills.
- When you're ready to dial up the challenge, visit the incredible Elk Range near Aspen to climb exhilarating peaks like the deadly Maroon Bells, Pyramid, and Capitol Peak with its Knife Edge traverse.
- Jog up and back on the 13-mile Barr Trail on Pikes Peak in the annual Pikes Peak Marathon... or just take it slow. Just don't drive!
Latest summits
"Perfect fall day. Some snow on upper 1000 feet but traction still unecessary. Gulleys on the apostles however look filled in for the season.
https://youtu.be/_SF5UzNBRkg?si=W3zh3RgjStbc_OWG" — cheeseishappiness • Oct 8, 2023
"1. Tagged as part of my ascent of Pikes Peak.
2. 2nd peak tagged on the way up to Pikes Peak.
3. 3rd peak tagged on my way up to Pikes Peak. Weather was moving in so I made it quick.
4. First 14er up from Crags! Got some pizza and donuts at the top (Homer Simpson). Caught a ride down from the top." — benyboy • Sep 30, 2023
"Second 14er I've done so far. I waited until after September 17th, to have parking free availability and once again I had gotten out of work early enough, even in September, to where I had plenty of sunlight to summit. " — edgar-jlopez-roldan • Sep 29, 2023
"Absolutely beautiful day for it, cool 45/50 degrees up top and not a single cloud in the sky. Some stronger wind gusts coming from the west while on the ridge seemed to die down as the day went on. Ive wanted to do this hike for awhile now, and would have been very disappointed in myself if i didn't bag it during my time in Colorado this summer. Probably my last hike in Colorado before i leave in a few days. Love the San Juans. Took the Southwest ridge and came down the standard route. The ridge was wonderful, some fun class 3 and definitely could have made it class 4 if you wanted. Unique rock formations on the ridge, almost cathedral like in some spots. Honestly i didn't like the standard route, it felt far more dangerous than the ridge because of the steep slope and loose rocks.. saw 4 deer and a handful of pikas. Good amount of fellow adventurers due to it being a Saturday. 7.43 miles from the 2wd trailhead. My super-roo definitely woulda made it further but didn't really feel like trying when i rolled in around 11pm Friday. Until next time, Colorado!" — ryangallant • Sep 9, 2023
"Beautiful hike. The san juans are one of my favorite ranges ever. I was stoked to finally have bagged a peak there. Started at matterhorn creek trail at the lower trailhead around 6:15am. Had a brief sprinkle about an hour in which brought a cool half rainbow. Saw 4 deer and a handful of pika and marmots. Few other hikers. Some beautiful purple and white flowers (columbines i think). I didn't see the grazing sheep but i did hear the dogs barking aggressively at something way out in the distance... glad it wasn't me. Views from the summit were spectacular. Couple clouds in the distance but otherwise very clear and no smoke. Back to car at 11am sharp. 8.65 miles RT. The Matterhorn to Wetterhorn traverse looked spicy, and Uncompahgre peak in the distance looked like a fun hike. Cant wait to go back! " — ryangallant • Aug 28, 2023