Walking and Hiking in West Elk Wilderness
West Elk Wilderness in Gunnison, United States, offers an exhilarating experience for walking and hiking enthusiasts. With its stunning natural beauty and diverse terrain, this park is the ideal destination for those seeking an immersive outdoor adventure. The park's essential amenities, including parking lots, ensure convenience and accessibility for visitors. ...
West Elk Wilderness in Gunnison, United States, offers an exhilarating experience for walking and hiking enthusiasts. With its stunning natural beauty and diverse terrain, this park is the ideal destination for those seeking an immersive outdoor adventure. The park's essential amenities, including parking lots, ensure convenience and accessibility for visitors. Whether you are an avid hiker or a leisurely walker, the West Elk Wilderness caters to all levels of outdoor activity enthusiasts. The park's extensive trail system provides a range of options, from leisurely strolls to challenging treks, allowing visitors to explore the park at their own pace. As you traverse the park's picturesque trails, you'll encounter breathtaking vistas, serene woodlands, and an abundance of wildlife. The West Elk Wilderness in Gunnison is truly a haven for anyone seeking to connect with nature and indulge in the joys of walking and hiking.
View MoreView MoreOther Info about West Elk Wilderness
HoursOpen 24 hours
Websitehttps://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmug/recarea/?recid=80859
Essential Amenities in West Elk Wilderness
Best Walking Routes in West Elk Wilderness
#1 - Soap Creek Trail 443
Length: 10.5 milesEst. Time: 3h42m
Soap Creek Trail 443 is a 10.5 mile (24,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2319 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#2 - Castle Creek Trail 441
Length: 6.1 milesEst. Time: 1h52m
Castle Creek Trail 441 is a 6.1 mile (14,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1377.6 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#3 - Beaver Creek Trail 464
Length: 8.3 milesEst. Time: 2h38m
Beaver Creek Trail 464 is a 8.3 mile (19,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2319 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
See All Routes
See All Routes
West Elk Wilderness Leaderboard
*Leaderboard only shows top 10 users. Only public activities are eligible for leaderboards. For any one park, a user can only check-in a maximum of once per day.
Nearby Parks
Needle Rock Instant Study Area Curecanti National Recreation Area American Legion Memorial Park FAQs About West Elk Wilderness
Where is the best place to walk in West Elk Wilderness?
According to the Pacer community, some of the best places to walk in West Elk Wilderness include the Cliff Creek Trail 840, Soap Creek Trail 443, and Rainbow Lake Trail 449, each offering picturesque views and diverse terrains.
How many routes are in West Elk Wilderness?
West Elk Wilderness offers a total of 12 routes for walkers and hikers to explore and enjoy, providing a variety of options for different skill levels and preferences.
Which is the longest route in West Elk Wilderness?
The Soap Creek Trail 443 is the longest route in West Elk Wilderness, stretching for 10.5 miles and offering a rewarding hiking experience with stunning natural surroundings, as recommended by the Pacer community.
Are there facilities or amenities for walkers/hikers in West Elk Wilderness?
Yes, there are essential amenities available for walkers and hikers in West Elk Wilderness, including parking lots for easy access to the trails.
How accessible is West Elk Wilderness?
West Elk Wilderness is accessible for walkers and hikers, with designated parking lots to provide convenient access to the park's trails and natural areas.
What kind of sports can I do in West Elk Wilderness?
In West Elk Wilderness, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, walking, and exploring the natural beauty of the park.
What is the best season to hike in West Elk Wilderness?
The best season to hike in West Elk Wilderness is typically summer, from late June to early September. This is when the weather is generally milder and the trails are more accessible.
What are the typical weather conditions to prepare for in West Elk Wilderness?
In West Elk Wilderness, hikers should prepare for a wide range of weather conditions. Summers are generally warm, but thunderstorms are common in the afternoons. Winters are cold and snowy, and spring and fall can bring rapid weather changes. It's important to be prepared for all types of weather when hiking in this area.
What kind of wildlife might you encounter in West Elk Wilderness?
Hikers in West Elk Wilderness might encounter a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and various bird species. It's important to be aware of your surroundings and practice proper wildlife safety measures while hiking in this area.
Last updated: Dec 1, 2025
Parks Near West Elk Wilderness
Needle Rock Instant Study Area Curecanti National Recreation Area American Legion Memorial Park Latest Check-ins at West Elk Wilderness
andrew.chiaraluceJun 13, 2020
andrew.chiaraluceJun 14, 2020
*Latest check-in only shows the last 10 users. Only public activities are eligible. For any one park, a user can only check-in a maximum of once per day.
Total Check-ins at West Elk Wilderness
*Leaderboard only shows top 10 users. Only public activities are eligible for leaderboards. For any one park, a user can only check-in a maximum of once per day.
Best Walking Routes in West Elk Wilderness
#1- Soap Creek Trail 443
Length: 10.5 milesEst. Time: 3h42m
Soap Creek Trail 443 is a 10.5 mile (24,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2319 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#2- Castle Creek Trail 441
Length: 6.1 milesEst. Time: 1h52m
Castle Creek Trail 441 is a 6.1 mile (14,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1377.6 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#3- Beaver Creek Trail 464
Length: 8.3 milesEst. Time: 2h38m
Beaver Creek Trail 464 is a 8.3 mile (19,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2319 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#4- Coffeepot Creek Trail 456
Length: 8.7 milesEst. Time: 2h3m
Coffeepot Creek Trail 456 is a 8.7 mile (20,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 3749 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#5- Zigzag Trail 601
Length: 1.6 milesEst. Time: 27m
Zigzag Trail 601 is a 1.6 mile (3,500-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 0 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#6- Coal Mesa Trail 451
Length: 5.8 milesEst. Time: 1h26m
Coal Mesa Trail 451 is a 5.8 mile (13,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 488.7 ft and is rated as medium. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#7- Cliff Creek Trail 840
Length: 9.7 milesEst. Time: 2h37m
Cliff Creek Trail 840 is a 9.7 mile (22,000-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1899.1 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#8- Beckwith Bench Trail 845
Length: 3.7 milesEst. Time: 1h24m
Beckwith Bench Trail 845 is a 3.7 mile (8,500-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 560.9 ft and is rated as medium. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#9- Sun Park Trail 444
Length: 2.2 milesEst. Time: 37m
Sun Park Trail 444 is a 2.2 mile (5,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1636.7 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#10- Curecanti Trail 870
Length: 9.4 milesEst. Time: 2h32m
Curecanti Trail 870 is a 9.4 mile (22,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1275.9 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#11- Lion Gulch Trail 536
Length: 3.9 milesEst. Time: 1h38m
Lion Gulch Trail 536 is a 3.9 mile (9,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 816.7 ft and is rated as medium. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#12- Rainbow Lake Trail 449
Length: 9.4 milesEst. Time: 2h41m
Rainbow Lake Trail 449 is a 9.4 mile (22,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2138.6 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#13- Sink Creek Trail 861
Length: 5.6 milesEst. Time: 1h25m
Sink Creek Trail 861 is a 5.6 mile (13,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2643.7 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#14- Elk Basin Trail 854
Length: 6.4 milesEst. Time: 1h2m
Elk Basin Trail 854 is a 6.4 mile (15,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1761.4 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#15- Kaufman Creek Trail
Length: 8.1 milesEst. Time: 2h34m
Kaufman Creek Trail is a 8.1 mile (19,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2896.2 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#16- Sheep Lake Trail 848
Length: 1.6 milesEst. Time: 27m
Sheep Lake Trail 848 is a 1.6 mile (3,500-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 597 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#17- Through Line Trail 860
Length: 13.1 milesEst. Time: 3h39m
Through Line Trail 860 is a 13.1 mile (30,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2299.3 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#18- Soap Basin Trail 442
Length: 7.5 milesEst. Time: 2h18m
Soap Basin Trail 442 is a 7.5 mile (17,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1823.7 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#19- Curecanti Trail 870
Length: 2.5 milesEst. Time: 42m
Curecanti Trail 870 is a 2.5 mile (5,500-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 0 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#20- Peter Creek Trail 856
Length: 2.2 milesEst. Time: 37m
Peter Creek Trail 856 is a 2.2 mile (5,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1338.2 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#21- Mosley Ridge Trail
Length: 1.7 milesEst. Time: 30m
Mosley Ridge Trail is a 1.7 mile (4,000-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 872.5 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#22- Coal Basin Trail 859
Length: 2.7 milesEst. Time: 46m
Coal Basin Trail 859 is a 2.7 mile (6,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 16.4 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#23- Robinson Creek Trail
Length: 2.8 milesEst. Time: 48m
Robinson Creek Trail is a 2.8 mile (6,500-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1157.8 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#24- Little Elk Basin Trail 892
Length: 5.9 milesEst. Time: 1h30m
Little Elk Basin Trail 892 is a 5.9 mile (14,000-step) route located near Crawford, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 2200.9 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#25- Sheep Lake Trail 551
Length: 1.6 milesEst. Time: 28m
Sheep Lake Trail 551 is a 1.6 mile (4,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 623.2 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#26- Hoodoo Gap Trail 877
Length: 3.4 milesEst. Time: 58m
Hoodoo Gap Trail 877 is a 3.4 mile (8,000-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1827 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#27- Sheep Lake Cutoff Trail 885
Length: 1.1 milesEst. Time: 18m
Sheep Lake Cutoff Trail 885 is a 1.1 mile (2,500-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 0 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#28- Trail 852
Length: 2.7 milesEst. Time: 46m
Trail 852 is a 2.7 mile (6,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 32.8 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#29- Navajo Ridge Trail
Length: 2.7 milesEst. Time: 46m
Navajo Ridge Trail is a 2.7 mile (6,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1151.3 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#30- East Soap Trail 535
Length: 4.6 milesEst. Time: 1h7m
East Soap Trail 535 is a 4.6 mile (11,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1961.4 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#31- Curecanti Trail
Length: 10.5 milesEst. Time: 3h26m
Curecanti Trail is a 10.5 mile (24,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1141.4 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#32- Little Robinson Trail
Length: 3.8 milesEst. Time: 1h52m
Little Robinson Trail is a 3.8 mile (8,500-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1544.9 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#33- Lone Pine Trail 862
Length: 4.3 milesEst. Time: 1h32m
Lone Pine Trail 862 is a 4.3 mile (10,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 1771.2 ft and is rated as hard. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#34- Cliff Creek Trail 840
Length: 1.3 milesEst. Time: 23m
Cliff Creek Trail 840 is a 1.3 mile (3,000-step) route located near Gunnison, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 229.6 ft and is rated as medium. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
#35- Cliff Creek Cutoff 840.a
Length: 1.6 milesEst. Time: 27m
Cliff Creek Cutoff 840.a is a 1.6 mile (3,500-step) route located near Somerset, Colorado. This route has an elevation gain of about 426.4 ft and is rated as medium. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
