There’s quite a lot to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Veteran visitors confirm it’s an exceptional place, even as American national parks go. One of the most popular activities there is hiking. Still, with more than 300 miles of trails, it’s pretty hard to choose. So to help you decide, here are the eight best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

1. Gem Lake

OK, we know Gem Lake is not actually in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it is nearby just north of Estes Park, and it really is a gem. The hike here begins at Lumpy Ridge. It has a substantial elevation gain of 1,000 feet and a total elevation of 7,870 feet.

This national park trek takes you through aspen groves to Gem Lake. It’s a small, picturesque pool flanked by high, rugged rock walls, with memorable views that extend southwards toward stunning Longs Peak. Allow yourself three or more hours for this hike because you’ll want to have a snack, relax at the lake, and check out the rock formations.

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Ouzel Falls

The Ouzel Falls hike is great for a half-day outing, especially if you like waterfalls. The trail here has several of them. Shortly after leaving the Wild Basin trailhead, you take a 0.3-mile round-trip detour to visit both Lower and Upper Copeland Falls. (You can also see these falls on your way back down if you wish.)

Along the way on your 5.4-mile round-trip, you’ll also discover the 200-foot-high Calypso Cascades, that thunders down the mountainside, to flow under two bridges. Picturesque Ouzel Falls is less than three miles from there. This hike is especially popular during the summer months, so if you want to make the trek then, you’d best head out early.

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Chapin, Chiquita, Ypsilon

This trifecta hike is 8.9 miles round-trip. You’ll cover three peaks on this hike. It begins at Chapin Creek and includes excellent views. When the weather is clear, you’ll see both the Desolation Peaks and the Longs Peak to the north and east, Estes Park to the east, and even the Never Summer range and massive Medicine Bow peaks in Wyoming to the west. Hit the trail early so that you’re hiking down before any potential afternoon thunderstorms. The total elevation here is 13,514 feet with a gain in elevation of 3,244 feet.

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Sky Pond and Glass Lake

This 9.5-mile round-trip hike begins at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Veteran visitors confirm that this hike offers hikers a truly “comprehensive look” at the national park’s sheer beauty. On this adventure, you will see heart-stopping vistas, stream and river crossings ensconced in tall pine trees, and cool ice-blue glacial lakes surrounded by white, snow-capped peaks.

There’s a lot to see on this trail. Although the final stretch to the top is challenging, the view you’ll have from the lovely Glass Lake is ample reward. Enjoy the sight of the granite spires piercing the clouds as mirrored in the lake’s reflection. Since you’ll be hiking up a slippery waterfall, be sure to wear waterproof clothes and good hiking boots. The total elevation here is 9,240 feet.

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Mount Ida

If you want to see arguably the most incredible views in the entire park, then this is the hike for you. The trailhead for this 9.6-mile round-trip trek is located at Poudre Lake at Milner Pass. Mount Ida is admittedly not as popular as some of the other mountain peaks in this park.

In fact, it’s sometimes not even included on maps. Ah, but that is yet another reason why this hike made the list. This trail is still well-marked and maintained, challenging enough, and yet it’s not as busy.

The final mile is over some rugged ground but again, the views of the mountains and unusual tundra flats make this six or seven-mile hike worth the effort. The elevation gain is 2,362 feet with a total elevation of 10,759 feet.

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Flattop and Hallett Peaks

With an elevation gain of 3,293 feet and a total elevation of 9,475 feet, this trek from Bear Lake will truly get your heart pumping. The twin-peaked payoff of both Hallett and Flattop ensures this to be a super day hike.

The impressive pair of peaks provide the perfect backdrop to the dazzling Dream and Emerald Lakes too. (You can even look and wave at the folks down below.) The views as you hike this 10.3-mile, round-trip trail get better as you go. The panoramic, picturesque view of the famous Continental Divide when you get to Flattop summit is unforgettable.

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Mills, Black, and Frozen Lakes

The 11-mile Mills-Black-Frozen Lakes round-trip hike is considered by some to be “the most beautiful hike in the park.” Those in the know confirm this is because this trek from Glacier Gorge includes practically everything any hiker could ever want in a single hike here.

This climb includes awesome alpine meadows complete with crossing streams, expansive vistas, pretty, candy-colored wildflowers, crystal-clear, rushing waterfalls, verdant forest groves, and (naturally) the three loveliest lakes in the park. The elevation gain on this hike is 2,529 feet.

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Ouzel and Bluebird Lakes

Last not certainly not least on our latest hike hits list, is the excellent Ouzel Falls Trail hike. The trailhead for this trek is Wild Basin. This round-trip, 12.6-mile adventure takes you between two exceptional alpine lakes–Bluebird Lake and Ouzel Lake–and past the previously-mentioned falls themselves.

Considering the distance and the elevation gain of almost 2,500 feet, this is another hike that may not be easy but is considered well worth the effort. The moment you make it over the last ridge you’ll see breathtaking Bluebird Lake nestled at the base of impressive Ouzel Peak. Depending on when you’re able to go and how early you’re willing to hit the trail, you will have a pretty good chance of enjoying this spectacular view all by yourself. Set your alarm early, fellow travelers!

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