Bear Lake
Bear Lake in Colorado is a stunning high-alpine lake located within Rocky Mountain National Park, and it’s a popular destination for hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies. Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and lush forests, Bear Lake offers easy access to some of the most iconic views in the park. Bear Lake is situated at an elevation of 9,450 feet (2,880 meters), making it a high-altitude destination. The lake is about 12 miles from the town of Estes Park, Colorado, which is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake is known for its postcard-worthy views of the surrounding peaks, including Hallett Peak and Longs Peak, the latter of which is the highest summit in the park at 14,259 feet. The lake itself is framed by subalpine forests of pine, spruce, and aspen, which create a serene, reflective setting. In the fall, the aspen trees turn a brilliant gold, making it an especially beautiful time to visit.
Region: Colorado
City: Estes Park
Distance: 14.71 km
Elevation Gain: 471 m
Elevation Loss: 91 m
Difficulty: 278 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 1.77 FIETS
Avg Grade: 3.95 %
Max cat climb: 2
Min elevation: 2419 m
Max elevation: 2867 m
Ride Category: Hilly