Things to Do in the Sawatch Range
The Sawatch Range is a prominent mountain range in central Colorado, forming a significant sub-range of the Rocky Mountains. Characterized by its rugged alpine terrain, numerous peaks exceeding 14,000 feet, and vast wilderness areas, the region offers diverse landscapes for outdoor pursuits. It encompasses pristine alpine lakes, dense forests, and high mountain passes, providing varied environments for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and more. The Sawatch Range is largely contained within National Forests, preserving its natural…
189
Routes
4.8
(73)
Average rating
4176
People visited
19
hikers
9.17km
02:51
340m
340m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
17
hikers
16.6km
06:09
480m
320m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
15
hikers
21.8km
11:03
1,540m
1,600m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(2)
10
hikers
1.06km
00:21
10m
10m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.3
(3)
413
riders
129km
07:35
2,000m
2,000m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(10)
203
riders
30.9km
01:35
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
146
riders
70.0km
03:46
1,070m
1,070m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(2)
147
riders
52.5km
02:45
810m
810m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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18.8km
01:50
400m
540m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(3)
217
riders
56.7km
04:31
660m
1,840m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
85
riders
13.3km
01:21
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
46
riders
16.1km
01:56
630m
640m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(1)
61
riders
48.4km
03:17
810m
810m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
51
riders
36.2km
02:16
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
38
riders
35.8km
02:27
450m
450m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
33
riders
24.0km
01:41
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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60
runners
15.5km
04:40
1,340m
1,340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
38
runners
14.4km
03:47
1,000m
1,000m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
30
runners
20.2km
02:27
80m
80m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
26
runners
13.9km
04:40
1,280m
1,280m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(1)
7
riders
87.9km
07:36
1,530m
1,530m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
75.2km
05:53
1,230m
1,230m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
16
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
19
riders
32.8km
03:02
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in the Sawatch Range?
The Sawatch Range offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, touring cycling, and gravel biking. The region features over 700 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.73 out of 5 stars from more than 38,000 visitors.
How many fourteeners are in the Sawatch Range?
The Sawatch Range is home to 15 of Colorado's 54 fourteeners, which are peaks exceeding 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) in elevation. Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains at 14,440 feet (4,399 meters), is located within this range.
Are there easy hiking trails in the Sawatch Range?
Yes, the Sawatch Range offers easy hiking options suitable for various skill levels. Examples include the Interlaken Trail and Turquoise Lake Trail. For more options, consult the komoot guide for Easy hikes in the Sawatch Range.
What are some popular hiking trails in the Sawatch Range?
Popular hiking trails include the Mount Elbert Trail and portions of the Colorado Trail. Many fourteeners in the range feature non-technical routes to their summits, making them accessible to intermediate hikers. More information can be found in the komoot guide for Hiking in the Sawatch Range.
Are there family-friendly hiking options in the Sawatch Range?
The Sawatch Range provides family-friendly hiking options. Trails like the Interlaken Trail and Turquoise Lake Trail are suitable for families. A dedicated komoot guide for Family-friendly hikes in the Sawatch Range is available.
What are the best road cycling routes in the Sawatch Range?
The newly paved west side of Cottonwood Pass is a favored route for road cyclists, offering a scenic path from Buena Vista to the summit. Other options include State Highway 82 (Independence Pass) and Highway 50 (Monarch Pass). Explore more in the komoot guide for Road Cycling Routes in the Sawatch Range.
Where can I find mountain biking trails in the Sawatch Range?
The Sawatch Range features classic single-track mountain biking, including the Monarch Crest Trail, a 14.5-mile (23.3-kilometer) route. The Midland Trails near Buena Vista also offer a network of technical trails. Refer to the komoot guide for MTB Trails in the Sawatch Range for more details.
What natural features are prominent in the Sawatch Range?
Prominent natural features include 15 fourteeners, such as Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, and pristine alpine lakes like Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake. The range also encompasses four wilderness areas and forms part of the Continental Divide.
Do I need a permit to hike in the Sawatch Range?
General hiking in the Sawatch Range typically does not require a permit. However, specific activities, overnight stays in wilderness areas, or certain trailheads may have regulations or fees. It is advisable to check with the relevant National Forest Service district for current requirements.
What komoot guides are available for the Sawatch Range?
Komoot offers several guides for the Sawatch Range, including Hiking in the Sawatch Range, Family-friendly hikes in the Sawatch Range, and Road Cycling Routes in the Sawatch Range. Guides for mountain biking, running, and cycling are also available.
Where can I find information about the National Forests in the Sawatch Range?
Much of the Sawatch Range falls under the management of several National Forests. Information can be found through the San Isabel National Forest, White River National Forest, and Gunnison National Forest. The official website for the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands is fs.usda.gov/psicc.
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