Best Colorado 14ers for Beginners
Summiting one of Colorado’s 14ers is an iconic rite of passage in the hiking world. Each summer, hundreds of thousands of hikers set out in the wee hours of the morning to conquer one of the fifty-eight sky high peaks in the state. In my time as a Colorado resident, I summited a grand total of thirteen 14ers, both as a guide and a normal off-the-clock hiker. My first was Long’s, which I was talked into doing to impress a cute boy. If you know anything about this infamous mountain, you’ll know its reputation as being one of the more dangerous 14ers in the state. Luckily, said cute boy had done the hike before and I made it up and back in one piece. However, when people ask me what mountains I would recommend for new peak baggers, Long’s is discerningly not on that list. So if you’ve found yourself daydreaming of standing at 14,000 feet above sea level but don’t know where to get started, here are my top five 14ers for beginners! And don’t worry, they’re still impressive enough for bragging rights to any outdoorsy cuties.
Grays Peak
Elevation Gain: 3,000’
Mileage: 7 miles RT
View from Gray’s summit
With a well-marked trail and relatively short hike, Grays’ is a popular choice for newbie peak baggers. This hike takes you through a stunning valley, past old mining ruins, up to a summit with breathtaking views of the Arapaho National Forest and Continental Divide. For those feeling more ambitious, they can continue on the 0.8 mile long saddle to nearby Torreys Peak and bag two summits in one day. If you choose this route, don’t be tempted by the seemingly shorter descent down Kelso Ridge. This route involves class 3 scrambling and is not suitable for beginners. You’re better off backtracking to the saddle between Gray’s and Torrey’s and following the trail down from there. Another note, the road up to the trailhead is notoriously rough, so a high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended.
Mt Bierstadt
Elevation Gain: 2,800’
Mileage: 7 Miles RT
My friend approaching the summit to Bierstadt, his first 14er!
Mt Blue Sky’s sister peak is slightly longer and slightly harder, but still a great choice for beginners. The hike to the top of Bierstadt starts at the scenic Guanella Pass Trailhead at about 11,600’ in elevation, giving you a nice leg up to the summit. Like Blue Sky, Mt Bierstadt’s proximity to Denver makes it a popular choice for peak baggers, so be sure to plan accordingly to ensure a parking spot. I first summited Bierstadt on a weekday in late September, and we only encountered a handful of other folks on the trail.
Mount Blue Sky
Elevation Gain: 2,000’
Mileage: 5.50 Miles RT
View of the summits of Mount Blue Sky and Bierstadt from Abyss Lake
Note: Be aware that part of Mount Blue Sky is closed this year due to construction, but it’s set to open again in the summer of 2026.
A short hike of only 5.5 miles and relatively low elevation gain compared to other peaks makes Blue Sky one of the easiest 14ers to climb. Another perk is the road to the top, meaning if you’re not feeling the descent, you can just arrange for a ride to meet you at the top! Its proximity to Denver and easy rep makes it a very popular choice however, so be sure to get an early start and avoid weekends for a less crowded experience. Noticing a theme here? Unfortunately if you’re searching for solitude, you’re not likely to find it on these peaks. Because these are some of the “easier” 14ers, you’ll likely be sharing the trail with quite a few other prospective peak baggers. But that can be an experience in and of itself. Make friends, share snacks and at least there will be someone else to take your picture at the top!
Mount Elbert
Elevation Gain: 4,700’
Mileage: 9.5 Miles RT
Although Elbert stands at 14,433’ making it the highest peak in Colorado, this 14er is still one of the easier ones to bag in the state. The trail is well marked and easy to follow, and is typically on most people’s lists. There are several routes to the top, but the northeast is the recommended one as the east ridge route requires a high clearance 4WD vehicle to reach the trailhead and the southeast route is not suitable for beginners. Be aware that this peak infamously has a few false summits, so don’t let it drop your morale!
Quandary Peak
Elevation Gain: 3,400’
Mileage: 6.75 Miles RT
A small herd of bighorn sheep, you might encounter a few of these guys on your hike.
Quandary has routinely snagged the title for “Most Summited Peak in Colorado” due to its accessibility from Denver and the resort town of Breckenridge and its reputation as being one of the more manageable peak ascents. Because of this, a reservation is needed to park at the trailhead from June-September. Summit County also conveniently offers a hiking shuttle from Breckenridge five days a week for $7 a person (although it’s free if you’re a summit county resident!). The recommended route for beginners is the East Ridge trail.
Trail towards Grays Peak
While these are considered “easier” peaks, they are by no means easy hikes so please do your research and prepare accordingly (unlike past me) before hitting the trails. I’ll be putting out a blog post on my tips for preparing to climb a 14er soon, so stay tuned!
