Estes Park, Colorado
Longs Peak via Keyhole Route
Colorado's most technical standard 14er route, with serious exposure.
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Length
- 14.5 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 5,100 ft
- Duration
- 10–15
- Best Season
- Mid-Jul–early Sep
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- 14er summit, Class 3 scramble
About the trail
Longs Peak (14,259 ft) is the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Keyhole Route is a true mountaineering objective despite being a 'hike.' Above the Boulder Field, the route climbs through the Keyhole formation, traverses ledges on the west face, ascends the Trough gully, threads the exposed Narrows, and finishes up the Homestretch to the summit. Mistakes are fatal.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 40.2549, -105.6160Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Longs Peak Trailhead off CO-7 (no permit needed for parking, but lot fills by 2 AM in season).
- Hike the East Longs Peak Trail past Goblins Forest.
- Reach the Boulder Field at 6 miles.
- Climb to the Keyhole (12,800 ft).
- Traverse Ledges, Trough, Narrows, and Homestretch to the summit.
- Reverse the entire route — descent is when most accidents happen.
Parking
Longs Peak Trailhead lot off CO-7. No reservation system; arrive between midnight and 2 AM.
Tips from the trail
- Start hiking by 3 AM to be off the summit before noon thunderstorms.
- Helmet recommended above the Boulder Field — rockfall is common.
- Turn around at the Keyhole if you have any doubt. It's the route's last easy bailout.