hiking Castle Peak

Hiking Castle Peak | 14er Route Info, Map & Advice

Please Follow Leave No Trace Ethics!

This area is increasingly popular and experiencing heavy impacts from public use. Please stay on the designated trail, pack out trash, practice good trail etiquette, and leave pets at home. Click here to learn more.

The Elk Mountains are the most dangerous Colorado mountain range. Their loose, rotten rock makes rockslides and accidents more common than any other peaks in the state. The six fourteeners here aren’t to be taken lightly. Hiking Castle Peak is one of the easiest 14ers in the Elk Mountains, great for those looking to get their feet wet in this area without the risk of the Maroon Bells or Capitol Peak. It’s still a long, touch climb that deserves to be taken seriously. Before you go hiking Castle Peak, take some time to plan ahead with my route guide below.

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Hiking Castle Peak: Fast Facts

Hiking Castle Peak - Northeast Ridge Route

Remember Mountain Safety Best Practices!

14ers can be dangerous due to altitude sickness, lightning, variable weather conditions, loose rock, and exposure. If you are new to hiking and climbing 14ers, click here and take a minute to review our safety tips and advice.

Alex Derr, Creator of The Next Summit

Alex is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Follow him on Linkedin or Twitter or click here to contact him.

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Don't Miss My Next Free Webinar: How to Climb a Fourteener in the Autumn

September, October, and November are great months to hike and climb 14ers, with fewer people crowding the trails. However, the weather is more variable, and there’s a greater risk. In my next webinar, I’ll share everything you need to know to have a safe and successful ascent during the Fall. Save a seat today!

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