Last Updated on 21 January, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Welcome to Colorado, a hiker’s paradise where the trails are as diverse as the landscapes they traverse. From the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains to lush forests and tranquil alpine meadows, the state is a playground for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.

Today’s journey takes us to the Mt. Herman Trail in Monument, Colorado. This article will serve as your step-by-step guide to navigating this charming trail, nestled in the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains in the Pikes Peak Region. We’ll cover everything from the trailhead to the summit, ensuring you have all the information needed for a successful hike.

Stick around as we dive into the different ways to conquer Mt. Herman’s summit and share some handy tips for bringing your furry friends along. With its varied terrain and stunning vistas, this trail is a grand adventure for you and your four-legged companions!

What To Expect On The Mt. Herman Trail

Mt. Herman is located near Monument, Colorado, in the gorgeous Pike-San Isabel National Forest. It’s an easy drive north from Colorado Springs and a somewhat longer drive south from Denver.

Mount Herman is part of the Rampart Range and is the tallest mountain in the Palmer Divide. This Divide separates the Arkansas River Basin from the South Platte Basin. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says Mount Herman stands at 9,069 feet.

There are three different ways to conquer Mt. Herman. Rest assured, I’ll cover all three ways and let you know which one we enjoyed the most! But first, let’s talk about what to expect while hiking the beautiful Mount Herman Trail and what gear you might need.

As always, we must remember our loyal sidekicks! I’ll also cover anything special you might need for your pup.

Elevation Gain

No matter which trail you take, you can expect to gain at least 1,000 feet of elevation. One trail will gain 2,000 feet from base to summit. Getting acclimated before attempting this trail is essential if you’re unaccustomed to the elevation.

High altitudes have a few impacts on the body that you should be aware of, even if you’ve been living in Colorado for a while.

• Thin air: You’ll start the hike at around 8,000 feet. The air is thinner at these altitudes, so you might find yourself breathing heavier than usual and your heart beating faster than expected.
• High UV: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says UV increases by about 2% for every 1,000 feet of elevation. We like using mineral sunscreen like Badger Mineral Sunscreen because it’s kind to your skin and the environment.
• Water intake: You might notice that your thirst decreases at higher altitudes. This is a normal process in your body due to higher altitudes causing water retention. It’s super important to continue to drink water (about 32 ounces per hour) while hiking at elevation. We use the Nalgene Ultralite Wide-Mouth Water Bottle because it holds exactly 32 ounces of water and is lightweight at just 3.5 oz.

Terrain

The Mt. Herman Trail is a dirt path with loose rocks. There are many areas of switchbacks and quick elevation gain, so a sturdy pair of trekking poles is recommended. We like the Pursuit FLZ Trekking Poles because they pack up small and come with ergonomic cork grips.

Colorado is unique in that you typically do not need waterproof boots. The Mt. Herman Trail is easier to navigate in a light pair of trail shoes that have a solid grip on the bottom. Jarrod uses the Fresh Foam X Hierro V8 Trail Running Shoe, and Robyn uses the Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoes.

Weather

Another unique aspect of the mountain states is the weather. While Colorado is known for its many days of sunshine, their summers are plagued with wicked afternoon thunderstorms, often bringing severe lightning and hail.

If you plan to hike any mountain in Colorado, including the Mt. Herman trail, start your hike early, so you are off the mountain by late morning. Thunderstorms typically roll in in the early afternoon.

Pets

Dogs are welcome on the Mt. Herman Trail (all three), so feel free to bring your fuzzy sidekick. However, due to the rough terrain and high elevation, I recommend getting a few specific pieces of gear for your hike if you bring your dog.

• Boots: Much of the trail is soft dirt, but sections of loose rock can be rough on your pet’s paws. Consider a pair of dog booties like the Grip Trex™ Dog Boots.
• Water: Just like us, dogs need extra water when hiking at high altitudes. We love the Springland Travel Dog Bottle because you can return the excess water into the bottle, so there’s no waste!
• Cooling vest: Colorado summers can get hot, and when your dog is working hard on the trail, a cooling vest can help them regulate their temperature and avoid overheating. Our dog, Pawdrick, uses the Swamp Cooler™ Dog Cooling Harness. You can read about the best dog-cooling vests for hiking here!
• Snacks: You pack snacks for your hike, so it only makes sense to pack your pup some snacks, too! We always bring a summit bone for Pawdrick and some training treats for any training moments that happen on the trail. We use Portland Pet Food Company Pumpkin Biscuits.
• Emergency Rescue Sling: We never go on a hike without our Fido Pro Airlift Emergency Dog Rescue Sling. It’s a simple item that packs down super small. If your pup injures themselves and can’t walk, you can put them in the sling, wear them as a backpack, and hike safely to your car.
• First Aid Kit: Like the Fido Pro, we never go on a hike with Pawdrick without his Adventure Medical Kits Adventure Dog Series Trail Dog First Aid Kit. It has all the essentials to treat his scrapes and cuts. And believe me, as a 3-legged dog, he always gets them!

It goes without saying that your pup will need a leash and collar/harness on the trail. Check out our guide on the Best Dog Leashes for Hiking to choose the right hiking leash for your dog.

Hiking The Mt. Herman Trail: Option 1

The first option to hike Mt. Herman was our personal favorite. We did this hike with our previous dog, Gatsby, on our first summit of Mt. Herman. This is an excellent option if you want to take the easiest route to Mt. Herman, which I highly recommend!

Many hiking trails in the area lead to other points of interest, such as Raspberry Mountain, so make sure you stay on the correct path to avoid adding extra miles to your hike!

The other two trails to the summit are very steep with loose rocks. But hey, if you’re a glutton for punishment, you should gander at the following two options! For now, we’ll stick with the easiest Mt. Herman trail, which really isn’t all that easy!

Where to Park

Mount Herman Road is rutted and riddled with potholes. It’s dirt with no paved portions. To reach the parking lot, a high-clearance vehicle with 4×4 is advised but not required. We saw a minivan parked up there!

You’ll find the Mt. Herman trail parking lot along Mt. Herman Road.

• GPS coordinates: N39.0712, W104.9322
• Google Maps: Type in “Mt Herman Trailhead”

The lot is dirt and pretty small. I recommend securing a spot early because it can only fit about eight cars. This is also a popular mountain biking area, so you may be competing for parking spots with bikers.

Option 1 Hike: Step-by-Step Guide

This option for summiting Mt. Herman is a little over two miles long and moderately challenging. Over a mile, you’ll gain nearly 900 feet of elevation, which is pretty significant! Loose rocks and scree add to the difficulty.

1. From the parking lot, the trail will be evident as it’s the only trailhead at this parking lot. When we were there in April 2019, there was a bullet-riddled ‘No Shooting’ sign near the trailhead.

2. From there, walk about a tenth of a mile north until the first intersection. Turn right here to stay on the Mt. Herman Trail.

3. The trail will hook sharply south before continuing east and heading north toward the summit.

4. At around the 0.3-mile mark, the trail starts to even out, and you can see some pretty views of the mountains to the west.

5. Continue on the trail, winding through the forest, until you hit the 0.8-mile mark. At this point, the trail will appear to follow a creekbed, and Pikes Peak will be slightly visible.

6. At this point, you can expect to gain some serious elevation as you approach the saddle of Mt. Herman. There are no other intersections, so there’s nothing left to do but push for the summit!

7. Toward the summit, the trail can be challenging to follow. A clearing appears to be the summit, but it’s not. Continue on the trail until you see the yellow/orange flag waving in the wind and the weather station. This indicates you are at the summit!

8. Enjoy the views and the southern horizon where Pike’s Peak dominates your focus. When we went in April, Pikes Peak was still shrouded in snow, giving it a remarkable and intimidating appearance.

9. Head back the way you came to return to the parking lot.

Want a more challenging hike? Check out the next option!

Hiking The Mt. Herman Trail: Option 2

The second option is more challenging due to its longer length—3 miles round trip—and the increase in elevation gain—about 1,700 feet. Instead of summiting the mountain from the southern side, this trail will have you summit Mt. Herman from the north.

We recently hiked this face of Mt. Herman with our current dog, Pawdrick. It was much more challenging than the southern trail. However, Pawdrick made it, and he only has 3 legs, so you can definitely do it!

Where to Park

Parking for this trail is located east of the summit on Red Rocks Drive. The dirt parking lot is large but fills up on busy weekends.

• GPS coordinates: N39.0892, W104.9122
• Google Maps: Type in “Red Rocks Rd trailhead parking”

You’ll know you’re at the right lot if you see a large open grassy area behind the lot (facing away from the mountain). This is where paragliders land after launching from Mt. Herman!

Option 2 Hike: Step-by-Step Guide

This option involves a 3-mile uphill adventure. If you’re over 30, prepare your knees and pick up some Motrin before you start—you’ll need it after! But it’ll be just another walk in the park if you’re accustomed to switchbacks and the elevation gain associated with most Colorado hikes.

1. Start by crossing the road to the obvious large trail. No signs indicate it is the Mt. Herman Trail, but it is the only evident trail across the road from the parking lot.

3. Continue straight on the trail, passing four offshoots to the right in short succession.

4. At the 0.6-mile mark, you’ll come to another intersection. Turn left here and make a right soon after to head up some switchbacks.

5. You’ll pass one more offshoot trail to the right, but want to continue straight here.

6. After this, you’ll approach one more intersection at the 1.1-mile mark. Turn left here to jump on the Mt. Herman Trail.

7. While it might seem like you’re almost there, don’t get your hopes too high! You still have about 500 feet of elevation to conquer. I celebrated way too early…Still, the views at this point are already beautiful, with Palmer Lake sprawled out below.

8. Continue on the Mt. Herman Trail for another 0.5 miles to the summit. Again, you’ll know you’re there when you see the yellow/orange wind sock blowing in the wind. There’s also an ammunition box with a sign-in sheet to sign your name and date!

9. To complete the hike, head back the way you came. Take care on the way down; it is very steep and has plenty of loose rock.

For the more adventurous, opt for Option 3!

Hiking The Mt. Herman Trail: Option 3

The third option to summit Mt. Herman is by far the most adventurous. Near the top, you’ll have to use ropes to scramble up the steepest side of the mountain. When we hiked this option, we accidentally stumbled upon it because we made a wrong turn while trying to hike option 2.

Our poor Gatsby was so confused as to why we were scrambling up the face of the mountain! He was such a trooper and made it to the top with us!

Where To Park

Parking for the third option is the same as for option two, off Red Rocks Drive:

• GPS coordinates: N39.0892, W104.9122
• Google Maps: Type in “Red Rocks Rd trailhead parking”

Option 3 Hike: Step-by-Step Guide

You’ll start on the same trail as for option 2.

1. At the 0.4-mile mark, take a sharp left at the 4-way intersection.

2. After 0.2 miles, you’ll come to the next intersection. Make a right here. Shortly after, make another right.

3. After another tenth of a mile, you’ll see a trail cut off to your right. Take this trail to stay on the path.

4. Another tenth of a mile later, you’ll hit a T-intersection. Turn left here and prepare for the scramble!

5. At this point, you’ll be around 0.8 miles. As you head south, look for a trail heading straight up the face of Mt. Herman on the right side of the trail. If you start heading back east toward the parking lot, you’ve missed it.

6. Take the trail heading up the mountain. For the next 0.6 miles, you can expect to gain around 1,200 feet of elevation! Take your time, and take advantage of the ropes along the trail to help you up the path.

7. As you reach the 1.5-mile mark, huffing and puffing to the summit, pat yourself on the back for conquering the most challenging route to the summit of Mt. Herman!

8. You can either head back down the same way you came or take the trail for Option 2 for a less steep down-hike.

Wrapping Up Your Mt. Herman Trail Adventures!

No matter how you decide to hike the Mt. Herman Trail, you’re in for fantastic views and worthwhile hiking. Mt. Herman may not be the picturesque barren 14er with snow-capped peaks, but it’s still an adventure worth taking in Colorado.

Have you hiked Mt. Herman, or do you plan to? Which way will you hike? Let us know in the comments below! We’d be happy to answer any questions you have regarding this unique Colorado hike.

Until next time, keep adventuring, and give your pup an extra pet from us dirtbags! Want more Colorado hiking guides? We have guides on:

• Great Sand Dunes National Park (Mosca)
• Pancake Rocks (Divide)
• Red Mountain (Manitou Springs)
• Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
• Square Top Mountain (Dillon)
• Chautauqua Mountain (Palmer Lake)