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
346 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
"Went to visit the Albert’s over Thanksgiving 2022. Carol’s mother had passed just days prior but Zach still offered to drive us up to the summit of Pike’s Peak on Sunday, November 20, 2022 in his Suburban. " — wiweasel • Jan 9, 2023
"9/24/22: Standard route up Grays Peak NRT with same return. Beautiful perfectly clear day with views hundreds of miles in all directions. Really nice summit area and met some really nice folks on the way up and at the summit and on the way down. (7.9/3100)" — LoneWolf • Sep 24, 2022
"It was a spectacular day to climb. September is my favorite month for climbing in Colorado. I estimate that 8 people summitted on this Friday. Traverse across big, jagged boulders on the SE ridge via the main route. There was some steep climbing with some slippery scree near the summit push." — tj-burr • Sep 9, 2022
"Got to the trailhead at 3:45AM, parking lot was filled 20 minutes after, set off the hike at 4:30 for an easy summit by 7:40. Descent was quick and easy and only took about two hours despite me being slow. But I swear it will forever be the death of me when I get stuck behind a Nissan on the dirt road up and it takes an hour to go 2 miles. Otherwise very fun and easy beginner climb!" — paandooo • Aug 12, 2022
"Second Long’s ascent. This time via Cables Route (North Face). Took about 13 hours and let me tell ya, I respect Sherpas even more than I already did after hauling a rope to the top of the mountain🤣🤣" — LGH-Dan • Jul 22, 2022