Bergen Peak Hike

The Bergen Peak Hike is an unassumingly beautiful adventure just outside of Denver. This scenic adventure presents epic vistas and wonderful woodland scenery, but don’t get us wrong it is no walk in the park. Reserved for hikers with some experience and older children, the Bergen Peak Hike demands stamina. Adventurers will have to hike up what seems like an endless amount of tightly wound switchbacks through the woodlands up to the summit. Though demanding, the views make up for the effort required. Make sure to wear sturdy footwear to avoid rolling an ankle on the rocky terrain!

The Bergen Peak Hike departs from the Sleepy S Trailhead in the Elk Meadows Open Space. From here, hike the Sleep S Trail northwest through the meadows, keeping an eye out for grazing elk. Soon after your departure from the trailhead you will encounter an intersection. Here, keep right and you will be diverted onto the Elk Ridge Trail. This path will guide you below the timberline and to another junction. At this point, veer left onto the Meadow View Trail before turning right onto the Bergen Peak Trail. This route will begin to more intensely climb as it winds through switchbacks beneath the coverage of old-growth pines, interspersed with aspens.

The path will then lead adventurers north to another intersection, turn left here, and ascend another set of switchbacks up to the summit of Bergen Peak. From the summit enjoy expansive vistas of Elk Meadows below and sights of the snow-capped Mount Evans and its neighboring peaks. Revel in the scenery, and when you are ready to return to the trailhead, simply retrace your footing back along the route.