Four Lake Loop Hike

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The title will fool you, but who are we to change tradition? The Four Lake Loop Hike will actually guide you to five, not four alpine lakes! Hike around the mountain cirque and revel in the various perspectives you will be granted of the looming peaks, and the lakes which each reveal a different element of beauty. This mistitled trail is one for the books!

Route Description for Four Lake Loop Hike

Though we hold a bit of resentment towards the trail's name, the Four Lake Loop Trail is a stunning outdoor adventure. Hike to some of the Rocky Mountain National Park’s (RMNP) most scenic lakes, all while enjoying the expansive vistas of the looming peaks. This area of the park is highly frequented, so if you want to snag a parking spot you better arrive bright and early! If you are worried about parking, take the park's free shuttle. Note: visitors are required to purchase a park pass to utilize the trails.

Begin your adventure around the Four Lake Loop Trail from the Bear Lake Trailhead. From here, take the Bear Lake Trail and loop around the shoreline from either direction. When you complete the loop, track the leftmost Connector Trail over Chaos Creek to an intersection. Here, hook onto the Glacier Gorge Trail. Hike this route up past Alberta Falls and around the base of Glacier Knobs. After hiking around the Glacier Knobs, take the Haiyaha Cutoff Trail up to Haiyaha Lake. Explore the lake, then merge onto the Haiyaha Trail and track north.

Shortly after, you will arrive at Dream Lake. Turn left at the intersection and trek west along the shoreline of Dream Lake and up to Emerald Lake. From here, turn around and retrace your steps back to the Dream Lake intersection. At this point, you will want to keep left and hike down the Nymph Lake Trail past the small alpine lake and back to the Bear Lake Trailhead.