Getting there
- Flights to Denver (BJC) 55 km from the start
- Flights to Denver (DEN) 90 km from the start
Treks / USA (Colorado)
Longs Peak (Keyhole Route)
USA (Colorado) · Nearest city: Denver (also Boulder)
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 24 km
Climbing≈ 1,550 m
Highest point4,346 m
The highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, climbed by a long, exposed scramble through the Keyhole.
Fitness
Very hard
Best seasonJuly to September
High pointLongs Peak
High altitude
Watch out: Most parties start around 2–3 am to be off the summit before storms. The upper route is serious scrambling.
Why people choose it
It's the most famous fourteener in Colorado, a serious scramble through the Keyhole.
What makes it different
- A 14,259 ft summit
- The Keyhole, Narrows and Homestretch
- Starts in the middle of the night
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.
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 4,346 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.
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.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (11.0 km) 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. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Longs Peak
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: July to September.
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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.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Denver.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
- Climb slowly and take the acclimatisation days seriously.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
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.
Scrambling
You'll use your hands on steep rock. Sticky-soled boots help, and it's no place for a big, top-heavy pack.
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.
Pre-dawn start
Most people start between 2 and 4 am to be off the summit before storms. A good headlamp is essential.
What you'll see
4 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Longs Peak (Keyhole Route)
Photo credits: Fall -LongsPeakCU JPG RSZ md by Original uploader was ProfPete (Pete Seel) at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; 1Rocky Mountain National Park by Khoshhat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Twin Sisters Peaks, United States by Lawton Cook lawtoncook, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Meeker, Longs, Lady Washington by mark byzewski, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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