Summit GoatTrek smarter. Climb higher.
Maroon Bells a

Treks / USA (Colorado)

Four Pass Loop

USA (Colorado) · Nearest city: Denver (also Aspen)

TypeMulti-day trek
Days3
Distance≈ 42 km
Climbing≈ 2,300 m
Highest point3,810 m

A loop around the Maroon Bells over four passes above 3,600 m, often called one of the most beautiful backpacking trips in the US.

Fitness Hard
Best seasonJuly to September
High pointTrail Rider Pass
High altitude

Watch out: Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Cross passes before noon. Overnight permits are required.

Why people choose it

It's often called Colorado's most beautiful backpacking loop, around the famous Maroon Bells.

What makes it different

  • Four passes above 3,600 m
  • Around the Maroon Bells
  • Wildflowers in July

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Four Pass Loop. These are the main choices people make.

  • Length: most people take 3 days, 3 is typical. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.
  • Where to start: it's a loop, so you can start at any stop, for example Maroon Lake, Buckskin Pass, Trail Rider Pass. Start where transport or free beds suit you.

Similar treks to consider

Teton Crest Trail USA (Wyoming) · 4–5 days · 64 km A high traverse along the back of the Teton Range with the Grand Teton in view for days. Ala-Kul Trek Kyrgyzstan · 3–4 days · 55 km Kyrgyzstan's most famous trek, from the Karakol valley up to the turquoise Ala-Kul lake, over a 3,860 m... Mount Whitney USA (California) · 1–2 days · 35 km The highest summit in the contiguous United States, climbed on a long, well-built trail from Whitney Portal.

Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.

USA eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

This trek reaches 3,810 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsSafetyWingHeymondoTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Maroon Lake → Buckskin Pass → Trail Rider Pass → Frigid Air Pass → West Maroon Pass → back to Maroon Lake

Simple overview map
Maroon LakeBuckskin PassTrail Rider PassFrigid Air Pass20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
    • Best time to go: July to September.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Denver.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
    • Climb slowly and take the acclimatisation days seriously.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • The route is a loop, so you finish where you started.

How the season changes things

Best time: July to September

Late June to mid-July

Early season

Snow on passes and high rivers, with wildflowers starting to bloom.

Bring

  • Microspikes
  • Gaiters
  • Warm layers

Mid-July to August

Monsoon season

Daily afternoon thunderstorms with lightning above the treeline. Be off exposed ground by noon.

Bring

  • Rain jacket
  • An alpine start (before dawn)
  • Bear spray where required

September

Late season

Golden aspens, stable weather and cold nights, with the first snow possible.

Bring

  • Warm sleeping bag
  • Down jacket
  • Headlamp

Be ready for

High altitude

Above about 3,000 m the air holds less oxygen. Walk slowly, drink plenty, don't rush acclimatisation days, and go down if you get a bad headache, nausea or confusion.

Down jackets →Water filters →

Afternoon storms

Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.

Rain jackets →

Bear country

Store food in a bear canister or locker, cook away from your tent, and carry bear spray where rangers recommend it.

What you'll see

8 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Maroon Bells a
Near Maroon LakeMaroon Bells
Near Maroon LakeAlpenglow Maroon Bells, Maroon Lake, Colorado
Near Buckskin PassMaroon Bells peaks and a lake
Near Maroon LakeColorado Dawn
Near Maroon LakeMaroon Bells
Near Trail Rider PassThe Crystal Mill
Near Frigid Air PassTreasure Mountain, Elk Mountains, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA

Gear for the Four Pass Loop

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Backpacks Top pick: Osprey Exos 58 Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Maroon Bells a by Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Maroon Bells by Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Alpenglow Maroon Bells, Maroon Lake, Colorado by John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Maroon Bells peaks and a lake by Chris Abney chrisabney, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Colorado Dawn by John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Maroon Bells by KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; The Crystal Mill by JahnyBravo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Treasure Mountain, Elk Mountains, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA by John Sowell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.