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
300 summits
Most difficult peak
Mount Elbert
Class 1
Difficulty breakdown
Class 1/2 11 peaks
Class 3/4 5 peaks
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
"We did this the day after Shavano & Tabeguache - we were exhausted!!! This was much slower than we were anticipating, but we had a gorgeous day, so no problem. I finally felt good once we hit 14k. My feet were killing me by the time we reached the trailhead again. " — Kevin • Sep 2, 2019
"What a day!!! Started at 425am on the trail. It was steep and we didn't sleep well the night before, so we moved pretty slowly up to Shavano. The hike was beautiful, though! It was already later than we had planned, but weather still looked good, so we made our way to Tabeguache and back as well. I was feeling extra energetic, so I hauled ass down Shavano and up to Espirit Point while Amber slowly descended Shavano. We then hiked out together and got some awesome pizza in Salida!" — Kevin • Sep 1, 2019
"What a day!!! Started at 425am on the trail. It was steep and we didn't sleep well the night before, so we moved pretty slowly up to Shavano. The hike was beautiful, though! It was already later than we had planned, but weather still looked good, so we made our way to Tabeguache and back as well. I was feeling extra energetic, so I hauled ass down Shavano and up to Espirit Point while Amber slowly descended Shavano. We then hiked out together and got some awesome pizza in Salida!" — Kevin • Sep 1, 2019
"Drove up Pikes Peak for the second time! It was cool to see it without snow this time around. I'll come back and actually hike it for real someday - I won't consider it as truly part of my Colorado 14ers challenge until I've hiked it - but for now, I just love how beautiful the views are. Truly another world. Glad I got up there again! " — psychikingjes • Sep 1, 2019
"While I can claim that this is my third 14er in Colorado, I'm not silly enough to truly claim it until I hike up it under my own power. That being said - beautiful. Simply stunning! I cannot describe how amazing it is to be up on a 14er, whether I hiked up or drove up. You really feel like you're at the top of the world. I'm looking forward to coming back and summitting Mt. Evans for real, along with some of its neighbors who you can grab on the trek up. It was a fun drive, and I'm glad I got up there before it closed for the season. " — psychikingjes • Sep 1, 2019