Hiking and Backpacking Trips
Outdoor Pursuits offers a wide variety of hiking and backpacking courses. Take advantage of these great trips that will prepare you for your own hikes and adventures around Colorado. Early registration is recommended due to limited spots. Learn more about our registration, refund and transfer policies and trip logistics.
Trip Offerings
Day Trips
Language Exchange Hike
Meet other multi-language speakers and share a conversation while enjoying a beautiful hike through the flatirons.
Your trip leaders will speak German and Spanish, but all languages are welcome!
Participants will hike between 3-5 miles round-trip. No experience necessary, and transportation provided and additional hiking gear can be provided at no extra cost.
Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Chautauqua
Cost: Early Bird pricing (before Mar. 2): $15. Mar. 2-5: $20.
Pre-trip meeting:Mar. 5, 5:45-6:15 p.m., Outdoor Pursuits Classroom
Winter Sunrise Hike
The early bird gets the trail to themselves! Come join us for a sunrise hike and take in the beauty of the mountains at dawn.
Participants will hike between 3-5 miles round-trip. No experience necessary, and transportation provided and additional hiking gear can be provided at no extra cost.
Time: 5:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Chautauqua
Cost: Early Bird pricing (before Feb. 23): $15. Feb. 23-25: $20.
Pre-trip meeting: Feb. 25, 6:30-7 p.m., Outdoor Pursuits Classroom
Hiking & Painting
Join us for a relaxing hike and watercolor painting in Chautauqua enjoying beautiful views, painting and drawing inspiration from the natural world.
Participants will hike between 3-5 miles round-trip. No experience necessary, and transportation provided and additional hiking gear can be provided at no extra cost.
Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Chautauqua
Cost: Early Bird pricing (before Mar. 23): $15. Mar. 23-25: $20.
Pre-trip meeting: Mar. 26, 6:30-7 p.m., Outdoor Pursuits Classroom
Birding Hike
Come hike with us and learn about the migrant and resident birds of Colorado. No hiking experience needed—just a sense of adventure.
Participants will hike between 3-5 miles round-trip. No experience necessary, and transportation provided and additional hiking gear can be provided at no extra cost.
Time: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: TBD
Cost: Early Bird pricing (before Mar. 30): $15. Mar. 30-Apr. 2: $20.
Pre-trip meeting:Apr. 2, 6:30-7 p.m., Lobby Meeting Room
Multi-day/Overnight Trips
Intro to Winter Backpacking
Learn how to backpack during the winter months. This 2-day, 1-night trip will introduce techniques for staying warm and dry when it's cold out and participants will spend an unforgettable night camping in the snow!
Entry fee for entry into Rocky Mountain Natioonal Park included in registration fee. All food, transportation backpacking and camping equipment provided. Participants must be able to carry a 50 lb pack while hiking up to 5 miles per day on rocky and variable terrain. At least one prior backpacking trip experience required.
Trip dates: Feb. 21-22
Time: 7 a.m. Saturday-4 p.m. Sunday
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park
Pre-trip meeting: Feb. 18, 6-7 p.m., Outdoor Pursuits Classroom
Cost: Early Bird pricing (purchased before Feb. 16): $100. Purchased Feb. 16-18: $135.
Limited to 10 participants. Registration closes Feb. 18 at 12 p.m.
Spring Backpacking
Ditch your dorm for the night and join us on this 2-day, 1-night backpacking excursion with us in the Colorado mountains! Meet new new people and hone your backpacking skills. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to properly pack, set up camp, navigate using a map and compass, cook, plan a menu and more! Course fee covers backpacking equipment and food on the trail.
Entry fee for entry into Rocky Mountain Natioonal Park included in registration fee. All food, transportation, backpacking and camping equipment provided. Participants must be able to carry a 30-50lb pack while hiking up to 5 miles per day on rocky and variable terrain. Transportation provided.
Trip dates: Apr. 11-12
Time: 7 a.m. Saturday-4 p.m. Sunday
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park
Pre-trip meeting: Apr. 8, 6-7 p.m., Lobby Meeting Room
Cost: Early Bird pricing (purchased before Apr. 6): $100. Purchased 6-8: $135.
Limited to 10 participants. Registration closes Apr. 8 at 12 p.m.