Choose Your Peak

Beginner-friendly 14ers ranked by difficulty

You have trained. You are ready. Not all 14ers are created equal. These peaks offer well-maintained trails, moderate elevation gain, and stunning summit views. Each peak is rated by trail class, elevation gain, and distance to help you choose the right challenge.

The Easiest 14ers

These are perfect first summits for beginners, featuring Class 1-2 trails with moderate elevation gain.

Peak	Elevation	Class	Gain	Distance	Time	Trailhead Access	Resources
Quandary Peak East Ridge	14,272 feet	Class 1	3,450 feet	6.75 miles round trip	5 to 7 hours	Easy The lot sits just off paved Colorado Highway 9, so any vehicle can reach it. From mid-June to mid-September, you need a parking reservation or a shuttle ticket from hikequandary.com.	Full Guide →
Mount Bierstadt West Slopes	14,066 feet	Class 2	2,850 feet	7.25 miles round trip	5 to 7 hours	Easy A paved scenic byway leads to two large paved lots at the top of the pass. Any vehicle can reach the trailhead in summer.	Full Guide →
Grays Peak North Slopes	14,275 feet	Class 1	3,000 feet	7.5 miles round trip	5 to 7 hours	Medium The last 3 miles are a rough dirt road with ruts and washboard sections. Bring a vehicle with good clearance, because low-clearance cars should park at the bottom of the road.	Full Guide →
Torreys Peak South Slopes	14,272 feet	Class 1	3,000 feet	7.75 miles round trip	5 to 7 hours	Medium The last 3 miles are a rough dirt road with ruts and washboard sections. Bring a vehicle with good clearance, because low-clearance cars should park at the bottom of the road.	Full Guide →
Mount Sherman Southwest Ridge	14,043 feet	Class 1	2,100 feet	5.25 miles round trip	4 to 6 hours	Hard County Road 18 is a rough dirt road that gets rockier near the gate. Most high-clearance vehicles can make it, and early summer can call for four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.	Full Guide →
Handies Peak Southwest Slopes	14,058 feet	Class 1	2,500 feet	5.75 miles round trip	4 to 6 hours	Hard The road to American Basin is long, rough, and rocky, with a stream crossing near the end. Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with good clearance is required for the final stretch.	Full Guide →
Mount Democrat East Slope	14,154 feet	Class 2	2,150 feet	4 miles round trip	3 to 5 hours	Medium County Road 8 from Alma is about 6 miles of dirt with washboard sections. The Forest Service regraded the upper road in 2025 and 2026, and hikers in 2026 reported that passenger cars could reach the new lot when the road is dry. There is an $8 day-use fee.	Full Guide →
Huron Peak Northwest Slopes	14,006 feet	Class 2	3,500 feet	7 miles round trip	6 to 8 hours	Hard The last 2 miles to the Lake Ann Trailhead are a rough, narrow four-wheel-drive road. From the two-wheel-drive South Winfield Trailhead, the hike grows to 11 miles and 3,800 feet of gain.	Full Guide →
Mount Lincoln West Ridge (over Mount Cameron)	14,293 feet	Class 2	2,600 feet	6 miles round trip	4 to 6 hours	Medium County Road 8 from Alma is about 6 miles of dirt with washboard sections. The Forest Service regraded the upper road in 2025 and 2026, and hikers in 2026 reported that passenger cars could reach the new lot when the road is dry. There is an $8 day-use fee.	Full Guide →

Quandary Peak

East Ridge

Class 1

Peak	Elevation	Class	Gain	Distance	Time	Trailhead Access	Resources
Grays & Torreys Combo Combined Route	14,275 feet and 14,272 feet	Class 1	3,600 feet	8.25 miles round trip	6 to 8 hours	Medium The last 3 miles are a rough dirt road with ruts and washboard sections. Bring a vehicle with good clearance, because low-clearance cars should park at the bottom of the road.	Full Guide →
DeCaLiBron Loop Combined Route	14,154 to 14,293 feet	Class 2	3,500 feet	7.5 miles round trip	5 to 8 hours	Medium County Road 8 from Alma is about 6 miles of dirt with washboard sections. The Forest Service regraded the upper road in 2025 and 2026, and hikers in 2026 reported that passenger cars could reach the new lot when the road is dry. There is an $8 day-use fee.	Full Guide →
Mount Elbert Northeast Ridge	14,438 feet	Class 1	4,500 feet	9.75 miles round trip	7 to 9 hours	Easy A well-maintained dirt road leads to the trailhead, and it suits all vehicles. The trailhead is a short drive from Leadville.	Full Guide →
Mount Belford Northwest Ridge	14,202 feet	Class 2	4,500 feet	8 miles round trip	7 to 9 hours	Easy County Road 390 is an easy two-wheel-drive dirt road that passenger cars can drive in summer. The trailhead has restrooms, and overflow parking is along the road.	Full Guide →
San Luis Peak Northeast Ridge	14,023 feet	Class 1	3,600 feet	13.5 miles round trip	8 to 10 hours	Medium The long dirt approach road has two creek crossings on concrete slabs. A vehicle with good clearance is recommended, especially in early summer or after heavy rain.	Full Guide →
Belford & Oxford Combo Oxford via Belford	14,202 feet and 14,158 feet	Class 2	5,900 feet	11 miles round trip	9 to 11 hours	Easy County Road 390 is an easy two-wheel-drive dirt road that passenger cars can drive in summer. The trailhead has restrooms, and overflow parking is along the road.	Full Guide →
Pikes Peak Barr Trail	14,109 feet	Class 1	7,600 feet	24 miles round trip	12 to 15 hours (or overnight at Barr Camp)	Easy The trailhead is in Manitou Springs on paved streets, and parking is paid. It is one of the easiest 14er trailheads to reach.	Full Guide →

Choose Your Peak

The Easiest 14ers

Quandary Peak

Mount Bierstadt

Grays Peak

Torreys Peak

Mount Sherman

Handies Peak

Mount Democrat

Huron Peak

Mount Lincoln

Go the Extra Mile

Grays & Torreys Combo

DeCaLiBron Loop

Mount Elbert

Mount Belford

San Luis Peak

Belford & Oxford Combo

Pikes Peak

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