The sun is shining. Leaves on the tree reflect a vibrant green, the flower’s petals gently sway with the wind. There isn’t a cloud in the sky to be seen, but you do not know that. You cannot see all of the beauty around because this hike is just too hard. Your eyes haven’t moved up from the treacherous terrain ahead, and this beautiful day has turned into a time of agony and pain. In order to avoid this disappointing and frustrating scenario, below are a list of the 10 best hikes in Aspen listed in order from easiest to hardest. Enjoy a summer full of fun in the sun and appropriately difficult hikes.

1. The Hunter Creek Trail: This hike is easy, but just as beautiful as any of the others. Enjoy crossing bridges over the roaring rivers and hiking through long meadows and fields. This hike is mostly flat, with an occasional yet brief uphill.
2. The Smuggler Mountain Road: This road is easy to follow and has a huge reward at the observation deck. After walking up this steady uphill road for about an 45 minutes (depending on hiking speed) one will reach the “Observatory Deck” atop the road. Enjoy a view of the whole town of Aspen and the valley it resides in.
3. Thomas Lakes Trail: A trail a quite a bit out of town towards Carbondale, but good for any skill level is the Thomas Lakes Trail. This trail leads up to a lovely lake you can cool off in at the end. It is a 3.6 mile round trip, but great for dogs and kids.
4. Crater Lake: This trail is more on the medium side of difficulty. This 4 mile long trail leads up to Crater Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Aspen. While there is quite a bit of uphill on this trail, it is absolutely wonderful to see and wanders through miles of aspen trees, pine trees, and the pristine Aspen forests.
5. Capitol Peak: In it’s entirety, Capitol Peak is a 14er, but one can choose to only hike partially the way up it to a beautiful lake.
6. Ute Trail: The Ute Trail is a medium difficulty hike with a wonderful view of Aspen at the top. After going for about 2 miles up switch backs cutting into the mountainside, one can feel worked, accomplished, and proud.
7. The Ute Trail Up Ajax: For an added difficulty level, one can reach the top of the Ute Trail and then continue to hike all the way to the top of Aspen Mountain. While this does add on at least another mile, at the top of Aspen is not only a gorgeous view but a restaurant called the Sundeck. One can enjoy a lunch at the Sundeck and then choose to either ride the gondola down or hike back down.
8. Conundrum Creek: This trail is ranked moderate-difficult, but is a very enjoyable journey to partake in. After hiking for about 4 or 5 hours, a hot springs is reached. While the journey may be difficult and rather long the rewards of the springs are enormous.
9. American Lake: This is about a 3-mile trail to a lake. There is a lot of uphill and it is most certainly a straining hike, but the glistening lake at the top is worth the hours.
10. Buckskin Pass Trail: With an easy-to-follow, but long and very difficult trail, this is ranked one of the hardest hikes. Mostly at a very steep vertical incline, this is not a hike for the faint of hearts. A lake at the top is an added bonus to the accomplished feeling of taking on this hike.