These Colorado hikes are among the most grueling in the world

Reporting by Nate Trela, Fort Collins Coloradoan

Colorado has two of the toughest “bucket-list hikes” in the world — and one of its easiest, according to a new analysis.

Two Colorado hikes — The Capitol Peak Summit and the Longs Peak Keyhole Route — tied for the third most physically demanding in the world (and most demanding in North America) on the list.

At the other end of the difficulty spectrum, the Bear Lake to Nymph Lake Trail was the ninth easiest in the world on the list to complete.

PureGym, a fitness center chain, analyzed more than 130 “bucket-list hikes” around the world and rated them. The hikes, which do not require specialist training or equipment, were scored based on distance, elevation gain, gradient, maximum altitude, the presence of scrambling, average annual temperature, average wind speed, average humidity and average monthly precipitation.

Looking up at one of the Colorado hikes listed as one of the toughest in the world — Capitol Peak in the Elk Mountains range of the Rockies. (Xpda/CC BY 3.0)

The Capitol Peak Summit and the Longs Peak Keyhole Route also ranked as the toughest hikes in North America, with the Grays & Torreys Peaks hike in Arapaho National Forest ranking seventh in North America (17th in the world).

The Bear Lake to Nymph Lake Trail, which has received recognition before for its accessibility was the fourth easiest in North America, with Crater Lake Maroon Bells ranking 10th in North America (22nd easiest in the world).

The Colorado hikes that were near the easiest and most difficult in the world

What makes the Capitol Peak Summit tough?

While not requiring special gear or training, this route is recommended for more experienced hikers. There’s a thin rock ridge climbers must “straddle and scoot across for safety,” according to a release on the list, and hikers often choose to camp at Capitol Lake instead of pushing for the summit of the nearly 17-mile route on one go. Climbers gain about a mile (nearly 1,600 meters) of elevation and it requires scrambling. Only the dry, relatively comfortable conditions keep it from being higher ion the list.

What makes the Longs Peak Keyhole Route tough?

To complete the “American Matterhorn,” climbers are advised to start before dawn to avoid afternoon lighting. The hike gets its name in part for the naturally formed massive rock arch hikers must pass through. It’s almost as long as the Capitol Peak Summit and gains a little more than a mile of elevation (almost 1,700 meters) at a steeper ascent, but the weather is still relatively friendly, according to the list.

A view from one of the Colorado hikes listed as one of the toughest in the world — An east aspect of McHenrys Peak viewed from The Keyhole on Longs Peak in Colorado. (Dion Hinchcliffe/CC BY-SA 2.0)

What makes the Bear Lake to Nymph Lake Trail easy?

At less than two miles round trip and with only about 300 feet in elevation gain, the Bear Lake to Nymph Lake Trail offers a less challenging path than most walks on the list. Throw in warmer, dryer conditions and it becomes an inviting way to check out an amazing view.