The 10 Easiest Colorado 14ers for Beginners

If you’re looking to hike your first Colorado 14er, you’re probably wondering where to start. After hiking all 58 Colorado 14ers and standing on more than 140 total 14er summits, I’ve seen firsthand which mountains provide the best introduction to hiking above 14,000 feet.

While there is no truly “easy” Colorado 14er, some peaks are significantly more approachable than others. Factors such as mileage, elevation gain, route finding, exposure, technical difficulty and trailhead accessibility can dramatically impact how challenging a mountain feels.

In this guide, I’ve ranked what I consider the 10 easiest Colorado 14ers for beginners based on my personal experience hiking every fourteener in the state.

How I Ranked These Colorado 14ers

Ranking Colorado 14ers by difficulty is inherently subjective. To create this list, I considered factors including mileage, elevation gain, trailhead accessibility, route finding, exposure, and technical difficulty. All rankings assume typical summer conditions and each mountain’s standard route.

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Watch my complete Colorado 14ers difficulty ranking below based on climbing all 58 Colorado 14ers and more than 140 total 14er summits.

What Is the Easiest Colorado 14er?

Based on my experience hiking all 58 Colorado 14ers, I consider Handies Peak from the American Basin (Southwest Slopes) to be the easiest Colorado 14er. Its combination of relatively short mileage, moderate elevation gain, straightforward route finding, and Class 1 terrain make it an excellent choice for first-time 14er hikers. Best of all, for all of your work, you are rewarded with some of the best summit views from any Colorado 14er.

#1 Handies Peak via American Basin

Mileage: 5.75 Miles Total
Elevation Gain: 2,500
Class: 1 – What does this mean?

Handies Peak is my pick for the easiest Colorado 14er. Assuming access to the American Basin trailhead, the route features straightforward Class 1 hiking, minimal route finding and relatively modest mileage and elevation gain compared to other 14ers. The scenery is outstanding and there are very few sections that feel intimidating to first-time hikers. Two things to keep in mind: this hike is very far from Denver and it does require a higher clearance AWD or 4×4 to get close to the trailhead.

Read Full Guide: Handies Peak Hike Guide

Watch Hike Guide: Handies Peak via American Basin

#2 Mount Sherman – Southwest Ridge

Mileage: 5 miles total
Elevation Gain: 2,100ft
Class: 1- What does this mean?

Mount Sherman offers one of the shortest summit days of any Colorado 14er. The climb is steep at times, but the route is fairly straightforward and requires very little route finding. Mt Sherman also works through some old mines which makes the experience a little more unique than some other 14ers. The biggest downside to Mt Sherman is the lack of a formal parking area and the long rough road that requires patience and slow driving.

Read Full Guide: Mt Sherman Southwest Ridge

Watch Hike Guide: Mt Sherman Standard Route

#3 Mount Democrat – East Slopes

Mileage: 4 Miles Total
Elevation Gain: 2,200ft
Class: 2- What does this mean?

Mt Democrat is another great choice for beginners. Its trail is easy to follow, distance is short and elevation gain is some of the least on any Colorado 14er. This summit can also be paired with neighboring Mt Cameron, Mt Lincoln and Mt Bross to form the DeCaLiBron and create a larger loop. The downside to Mount Democrat is that it does require a fee and has some Class 2 terrain which beginners may find challenging. The last 1/4 or 1/2 mile of road to the trailhead can get rough as well.

Read Full Guide: DeCaLiBron

Watch Hike Guide: The DeCaLiBron

#4 Grays Peak – North Slopes

Mileage: 7.5 miles total
Elevation Gain: 3,000ft
Class: 1- What does this mean?

Grays Peak is one of the most popular Colorado 14ers and for good reason. Its close to Denver, the trail is easy to follow, route finding is minimal and the summit delivers incredible views. Looking for more? Its easy to pair with neighboring Torreys Peak as well. Trailhead access can be a challenge depending on road conditions, but the hike itself is very straightforward.

Read Full Guide: Grays Peak + Torreys Peak

#5 Torreys Peak – South Slopes

Mileage: 7.75 Miles Total
Elevation Gain: 3,000ft
Class: 1- What does this mean?

While slightly more difficult than Grays Peak, Torreys remains a fantastic beginner mountain. The route starts from the same trailhead as Grays and basically follows the exact same trail until you reach the saddle. From there, the hike is steep but short and straightforward. Many hikers choose to combine Grays and Torreys into a single day.

Read Full Guide: Grays Peak + Torreys Peak

#6 Mount Blue Sky – Summit Lake

Mileage: 5.5 Miles Total
Elevation Gain: 2,100ft
Class: 2- What does this mean?

The Summit Lake route dramatically reduces both mileage and elevation gain, making Mount Blue Sky one of the most approachable 14ers in Colorado. The route is short but does require some route finding, Class 2 terrain and of course a parking reservation. This 14er is only accessible for parts of the year due to the Mt Blue Sky highway closing during the Winter and Spring months.

Read Full Guide: Mount Blue Sky

Watch Hike Guide: Mt Blue Sky via Summit Lake

#7 The DeCaLiBron Loop

Mileage: 7.5 miles total
Elevation Gain: 3,500ft
Class: 2 – What does this mean?

The DeCaLiBron Loop allows hikers to summit four fourteeners in a single outing: Mt Democrat, Mt Cameron, Mt Lincoln, and Bross. Despite the impressive summit count, the route remains relatively straightforward and avoids major exposure or technical terrain. However, navigating this loop does require some route finding and loose trail conditions, especially on Mt Bross. Also note, Mt Bross is a privately owned mountain and summit access is not allowed. For hikers looking to maximize summits, there is no better option.

Read Full Guide: DeCaLiBron

Watch Hike Guide: The DeCaLiBron

#8 Quandary Peak – East Ridge

Mileage: 6.75 miles total
Elevation Gain: 3,350ft
Class: 1- What does this mean?

Quandary Peak is one of Colorado’s most recognizable 14er beginner routes. The trail is easy to follow and heavily traveled, which minimizes route-finding concerns but don’t underestimate this mountain, it is STEEP! The biggest challenge to hiking Quandary Peak may be getting a parking reservation which is required during the Summer months.

Read Full Guide: Quandary Peak

Watch Hike Guide: Quandary Peak Winter Guide

#9 Mount Bierstadt – West Slopes

Mileage: 7.5 miles total
Elevation Gain: 2,850ft
Class: 2- What does this mean?

Mount Bierstadt has introduced thousands of hikers to Colorado 14ers. The route is close to Denver, easy to navigate and generally free from significant exposure. Its popularity can result in crowds, but the mountain remains one of the state’s premier beginner fourteeners. The trail up to the summit is steep and doe have minor Class 2 sections near the summit.

Read Full Guide: Mt Bierstadt

Watch Hike Guide: Mount Bierstadt without crowds

#10 Huron Peak – Northwest Slopes

Mileage: 6.5 Miles total
Elevation Gain: 3,700ft
Class: 2- What does this mean?

Huron Peak rounds out the list thanks to its outstanding scenery and relatively straightforward route. The hike is longer and more physically demanding than several mountains above it, but route finding is generally simple and exposure is limited. Many hikers consider Huron one of the most beautiful Colorado 14ers but a 4×4 or high clearance vehicle is required to access the trailhead. Without one, this hike is much longer than listed above.

Read Full Guide: Huron Peak

Watch Hike Guide: Huron Peak