About
Length (round trip)1.1 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyModerate
Elevation gain260 ft up
Typical time45 min
TrailheadRock Cut, Trail Ridge Road
SurfacePaved path at 12,000 feet
Best seasonJuly to September for the high country. Trail Ridge Road opens late May and closes with the first heavy snow in October.
DogsNot allowed
What you'll see ⛰️ Summit🌄 Big views🌼 Wildflowers🦌 Wildlife

A paved path across genuine alpine tundra at 12,110 feet - the highest easy walk in any national park.

Tips
Paved but at 12,000 feet, so it will feel much harder than a mile should. Never step off the path; the tundra plants take decades to recover from a single footprint. Pika and marmots everywhere, and afternoon lightning is a serious hazard.
🎒 What to pack

A 1.1 mi walk — here's the short list worth having in the pack.

Other Hikers
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Trail data: USGS National Map / PAD-US, the National Park Service, state agencies, and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Access and conditions change — check with the managing agency before you go.