The Great Colorado Route
The Great Colorado Route (GCR) is an ambitious 1,700-mile backpacking route that traverses the full breadth of Colorado’s public lands. Designed for experienced hikers, the route prioritizes beauty over efficiency—linking high alpine terrain, rugged canyons, and remote wilderness areas across the state. The GCR welcomes those who wish to explore wild lines, epic beauty, and iconic Colorado destinations.
Maroon Bells, Elk Mountain Range
Ute Canyon, Colorado National Monument
Kit Carson, Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range
Route Highlights
Black Canyon on the Gunnison National Park
Colorado National Monument
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Sangre De Cristo Range
Pikes Peak and Manitou Incline
Lost Creek Wilderness
Eagles Nest Wilderness
Indian Peaks Wilderness & Rocky Mountain National Park
Flat Tops Wilderness & Devil’s Causeway
Maroon Bells, Raggeds, & West Elk Wilderness Areas
and much, much more!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Castles, West Elk Wilderness
Route Stats
1700 miles
381,000 feet of gain (13 Everests)
32 Sections
3 National Parks
2 National Monuments
All 11 of Colorado’s National Forests
29 Wilderness Areas
8 Wilderness Study Areas
13 Fourteeners
47 Thirteeners
Seasonal Window: May through October (depends on section)
Anticipated Completion time: 4 months.
Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Devil’s Causeway, Flat Tops Wilderness