287 reviews
2 months ago
Great 4-mile hike. Good elevation, but areas of walking rest. We had two kids with us - 5 & 7 so it took us just over three hours. There are intermittent views the entire way and 360° views at the top. Short scramble through a rock "tunnel" at the top. Not crowded when we were there on a weekday.
9 months ago
Cougar Rock is such an underrated gem! The climb up is fun and steady, not too hard, and the payoff at the top is unreal—a full 360° view that’s honestly one of the best panoramas you can get in the Estes Park area without going into Rocky Mountain National Park. Most of the trail is pretty manageable for most hikers, but heads-up: the very end requires either a small jump or a careful scramble across the rocks. Nothing too crazy, just good to know before you go. Once you’re up there, though, it’s completely worth it. Beautiful hike, great effort-to-reward ratio, and definitely one of the best trails in the area. Highly recommended!
a year ago
This 4-mile trail is such a hidden gem! It’s tucked away off a dirt road at the top of a mountain in Hermit Park, and we honestly couldn’t believe how quiet and peaceful it was. We hiked it in late May and the trail was completely dry, no snow or mud to worry about, although afternoon showers are frequent in this area. It’s all uphill on the way up, so be ready for a steady climb. Hiking poles definitely came in handy, especially for pacing ourselves. The views along the way are already pretty incredible, but once you reach the top and look out over Estes Park? Absolutely breathtaking. We timed our hike to catch the sunset and started around 6:45 p.m., wrapping up just before 9. It was dark when we made it back to the car, so a headlamp or flashlight would've came in handy. Once we reached the top, the sunset made the whole valley glow, and we had the place almost entirely to ourselves. We only passed one other couple the entire time, which made it feel so peaceful. There is a short rock scramble right at the summit. Our 50lb goldendoodle made it up just fine, but coming down was a little trickier for him, and he got nervous on one section and we had to help him down. If you’re looking to escape the crowds of Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park but still want those jaw-dropping views, this hike is absolutely worth it. Total stunner. There’s a $10 parking fee at the start of the dirt road, but honestly, it’s money well spent for the experience. Highly recommend!
a year ago
Beautiful trail, multiple astounding views of Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains, lots of wildlife and probably the best hiking area in Northern Colorado! Moderately difficult, especially at the end but as a 6’4, 300 pound man it was totally doable. Took me 3 hours in total and that’s while stopping to take photos and videos.
a month ago
Definitely a moderate hike, but a lot of fun and plenty of places to stop and take in the view or take pics. We saw kids (maybe 7 or 8) and dogs completing the hike, so as long as youre reasonably fit you should be alright.
