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    Hikes/United States/Colorado/Rocky Mountain National Park

    Cascade Falls

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Easy
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    2.5-3h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    11.0 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    122 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
    Overall Rating
    This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
    9.3
    Physical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Technical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
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    Directions to Trailhead
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    Panorama from the Cascade Falls hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

    RMNP’s Cascade Falls hike is a relatively easy hike that will take you to the West side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This part of RMNP is a little less traveled and the sights are just as amazing. Cascade Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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    Route Description for Cascade Falls

    The hike to Cascade Falls starts at the North Inlet trailhead and heads east. For the first 1.6 km, you’ll be parallel to the border of the park on the north side of the trail and private property on the south. You’ll be following a seldom-used dirt road for a private cabin you’ll pass at 2.4 km. This is where the trail starts to climb, but it’s not that hard at all, and you’ll be following the river.

    4.8 km into the hike, the trail gets steeper, but then you can start to hear Cascade Falls ahead.

    At 5.6 km, you’ll see a small sign pointing to the right for Cascade Falls. Follow the trail down to the base of Cascade Falls, crossing a river to get there. When you come back to the main trail, you can hike up further to the top of Cascade Falls. This is a great place to take pictures and sit on a rock as the falls cascade around you.

    To return to the trailhead, just go back the way you came, there are no intersections to worry about making any turns!

    Want to find more amazing hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out Chasm Lake hike, Lake Haiyaha hike or the Sky Pond and Lake of Glass hike.

    Insider Hints for Cascade Falls

    • A 1.6 km up the road is the East Inlet trailhead and a well worth the short hike to Adams Falls and a view of Grand Lake.

    Getting to the Cascade Falls Trailhead

    In the summer, from Estes Park, take highway 34 West over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake. This road closes with weather. If Trail Ridge road is closed, from Denver, take I-70 West, exit onto US 40 and head north through Granby and turn right on highway 34 toward Grand Lake. Once in Grand Lake, head east on Street 5 (highway 278) for 2.3 km. Turn left (north) on the dirt road to North Inlet Trailhead. Follow it to up the steep, bumpy road to the parking lot.

    Route Information

    • When to do

      Year round

    • Backcountry Campsites

      Summerland Park campground

    • Toilets

      In parking lot

    • Family friendly

      Yes

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      Moderate

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Cascade Falls Elevation Graph

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    Cascade Falls Reviews

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