CW Guided Adventures: Rock Climbing Tours - Best Climbing Trips in Colorado
- admin171125
- Mar 28
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Colorado Wilderness through our guided rock climbing adventures. Discover Colorado's stunning scenery and the Front Range's breathtaking vistas, with routes for all skill levels led by expert, local guides.
Why Choose Us?
Our guides are not only knowledgeable but are genuine experts in their field and are professional AMGA certified Rock Climbing Guide or Instructors. With years of experience and a profound understanding of the different Colorado crags, they are more familiar with the best spots than anyone else. Venture out with an expert guide to discover hidden gems and some of our favorite locations in Colorado's wilderness.
Join Us for an Adventure!
Let us take you on a journey where you can connect with nature and enjoy the thrill of rock climbing in some of the most beautiful settings Colorado has to offer.
In this article:
Boulder 2-Day Multi Pitch
Boulder 5 Days
Intro To Mountaineering
Learn To Lead Trad Climbing
Rock Climbing Development Series
Climb: Half Day
Boulder Beginner Adventure
Have you ever wanted to try the amazing sport of rock climbing or transition to the outdoor environment from gym climbing? This is a great introduction to the sport of rock climbing while learning some of the basic safety systems and getting the chance to climb on some great granite or sandstone. Located just minutes outside of Downtown Boulder, Elephant Buttress features a bevy of beginner to intermediate routes that are perfect for first time climbers and families. The easy approach, fun routes, and proximity to downtown make the buttress one of the most favorite climbing spots in the city. This 3.5-hour trip or course is meant to get the beginner or novice climber outdoors and help those who have climbed before but want a refresher. This is a great trip for families, groups, group tours, wedding groups, reunions, individuals, aspiring photographers, and those wanting a great 1/2 day of climbing.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 5-10 minutes each way to and from a trailhead or climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Normally it is a 5-10 minute hike to our climbing site (Boulder Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, Golden, and Estes Park). We then head off for 3 hours of great climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Easy to Moderate
Golden Beginner Adventure
Set just outside of Golden, these south-facing cliffs are perfect for guided rock climbing any time of the year, with an easy approach and easy top-roping. The routes here are generally short, many no more than 60-feet, but feature many different features including arêtes, dihedrals, and technical face climbing. Take on classics such as Deck Chairs on the Titanic or Lemons Limes and Tangerines. Then get into some Colorado crack climbing with routes such as Killian’s Dead and Big Dihedral. This 3.5-hour trip or course is meant to get the beginner or novice climber outdoors and help those who have climbed before but want a refresher. This is a great trip for families, groups, group tours, wedding groups, reunions, individuals, aspiring photographers, and those wanting a great 1/2 day of climbing.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 5-10 minutes each way to and from a trailhead or climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devices, and more). Normally it is a 10-20 minute hike to our climbing site where we spend 3 hours climbing on the cliff. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Easy to Advanced
Climb: Full Day
Bastille Crack
The Bastille Crack is well known as one of America’s greatest rock climbs. This absolutely spectacular ascent will test your skills on chimneys, distinctive cracks, and face climbing as you follow in the footsteps of Colorado climbing legends that established the line as one of the nation’s great climbs outside of Yosemite. The climb goes at 5.7 but feels much more stout. The moderate cracks begin on the first pitch as climbers twist and jam their way with nuanced footwork and careful hand placements, then make their way into a long chimney which leads to several tough ledges. After making our way through a last set of wide cracks, we will top out onto a magnificent summit where we’ll have the opportunity to overlook Eldorado Canyon from one of the highest vantage points in the park. This classic Colorado ascent is simply not to be missed.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 10-35 minutes each way to and from the climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). It is a 5-10 minute hike to the start of the climb. We then head off for 4-6 hours of great climbing. If time permits we may also explore other climbs in the park. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Easy to Difficult
Boulder Learn to Rock Climb
If you have ever wondered ‘how did they get the rope up there?’ then our most popular outing could be the trip for you! Our full day learning to climb trip is the perfect trip for families, groups, group tours, wedding groups, reunions, individuals, and those wanting a great full day of climbing. If you want to get a great workout and experience the climbing mecca of Boulder Colorado we can make it happen. With thousands of routes to choose from our guides know the best areas to take you out for a great day of climbing. All our guides have been trained by the American Mountain Guide Association and are local professional climbing guides with years of experience. With a full day, we have time to go over all the techniques, skills and equipment needed for an enjoyable and safe day on the rock. We have time to rest between attempts and to try various routes and styles of climbing. After a day of climbing with our guides you will be more knowledgeable, have greater confidence in your skills and abilities to overcome obstacles and you just might be hooked on new sport!
Itinerary: We depart and end from your Boulder or a central meeting spot, while driving 10-20 minutes to the climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Our hike to the climbing area will be between 5 to 20 minutes based on where we decide to climb and the desires of the group. On the rock, we will spend about 6.5 hours climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Easy to moderate
RMNP Muti-Pitch
Come join Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides for a guided rock climbing adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park. We are one of the few companies in the country permitted to guide technical rock climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park so let us show you a truly Colorado experience. Whether it is your first time thinking of putting on climbing shoes or you are an old hand looking for some new challenges, our guides can make your climbing adventure a trip you won’t soon forget. Rocky Mountain National Park has thousands of climbing routes to choose from and is known as one of the premiere climbing destinations in the United States. With so many different routes and areas to choose from our guides can tailor each trip to your exact specifications. We take pride in our attention to safety, details and our clients wishes. Our full day trips for beginners takes care to teach techniques, safety and fun to our clients and have them excited for the next time. If you’ve climbed before we can take you on the ultra-classic routes or off the beaten path to get away from the crowds. This is a great trip for beginners, families and groups, as well a great way to have our guides show you the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park. Let us help you make your Colorado climbing vacation a memory you will cherish forever!
Itinerary: We depart and end from your Boulder or Estes Park hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 30-50 minutes to the climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Our hike to the climbing area will be between 5 minutes to an hour based on where we decide to climb and the desires of the group. On the rock, we will spend about 6 hours climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Easy to Difficult
RMNP Single Pitch
As well as being an alpine paradise, there are a number of single-pitch options across Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, including Mary’s Lake and Lily Lake, which are just minutes from Downtown Estes Park. With a spectacular view of the Diamond Face of Longs Peak, Lily Lake and the area known as Jurassic Park features sport and trad climbing with routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.12, providing options for beginner and advanced climbers alike. The main feature here is the breathtaking Edge of Time, a 5.9 fin with one of the best and most scenic arête ascents in North America. The 85-foot climb up the edge to the lip of route is challenging, with fun moves and a photogenic finish. Farther south is Mary’s Lake, which is smaller, but is the perfect place for beginners, with routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.7+. The rocks are fun and blocky, and the climbing is easy, which makes it a great place for learning or honing skills and techniques before we move onto some of the bigger walls of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 45 minutes – 1 hour each way to and from a trailhead and climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Normally it is a 30-40 minute hike to our climbing site. We then head off for a 5-6 hours of great climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Learn To Lead Sport Climbing
Looking to take your climbing to the next level? Our one-day outdoor sport climbing course is designed for gym climbers who want to learn the essential skills and techniques for safely and confidently leading sport climbs outdoors.
This comprehensive course covers everything from an introduction to sport climbing to identifying well or poorly bolted climbs. You’ll learn climbing safety and equipment, stick clip techniques, types of sport climbing anchors, cleaning a route, lead climbing and belaying, as well as trip planning and preparation. Plus, you’ll get tips on finding climbing partners to help you continue your progress.
Our experienced instructors will guide you through each step of the process, giving you the knowledge and confidence you need to lead with ease. By the end of the day, you’ll be equipped with the skills you need to climb and lead with confidence, taking your climbing to new heights. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn from the best – sign up for our one-day outdoor sport climbing course today!
Curriculum
Introduction to sport climbing
Climbing safety and equipment
Stick clip techniques
Types of sport climbing anchors
Cleaning a route
Lead climbing and belaying
Identifying well or poorly bolted climbs
Trip planning and preparation
Finding climbing partners
Climb: Long Day
Notchtop Spiral Route
The Spiral Route on Notchtop is a great introduction to alpine climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Going at 5.4, the climb features fun, blocky ledges, and spaced out technical climbing with the crux coming in just before the summit. This is a great climb for those who are learning to lead alpine trad in Rocky Mountain National Park or those who want to improve their route-finding abilities. The route combines fun 3rd class scrambling with climbing that is not too sustained for the grade and a spectacular view overlooking the park. It’s a great introduction to climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park and a great route to advance climbing skills.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 40-60 minutes each way to and from a trailhead or climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Normally it is a 2 -3 hour hike to the climb. We then head off for 6-8 hours of great climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Difficult
Mt. Meeker Flying Buttress
Mt. Meeker’s Flying Buttress is a classic of Rocky Mountain National Park alpine climbing. With 6-pitches going up to 5.10a, this is a climb for those who are willing to take a burly, long, and exposed route with serious fun climbing. The line follows a narrow buttress that flies up Meeker’s North Face and features a number of face, crack, and dihedral moves to reach Meeker’s summit. This extra-long day features tough climbing, which will test your alpine skills over a committing and rewarding line. It is not a climb to be taken lightly and demands prior experience.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 40-60 minutes each way to and from a trailhead or climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Normally it is a 2 -3 hour hike to the climb. We then head off for 6-8 hours of great climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Difficult
Spearhead North Ridge
This easy route following the blocky North Ridge up the Spearhead with fantastic face climbing, dihedrals and cracks up to 5.6. Set at the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, the North Ridge of the Spearhead looks out at the backside of Longs Peak and follows a long, exposed ridge to a dramatic pointed summit. This is a great climb for those who are getting introduced to more technical alpine climbing and want to climb one the most classic routes in the park.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 40-60 minutes each way to and from a trailhead or climbing site. While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, and more). Normally it is a 3 -4 hour hike to the climb. We then head off for 6-8 hours of great climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Difficult
Longs Peak Cables Route
This Grade III ascent is a great introduction to technical alpinism in the park and a classic Rocky Mountain route. There is only one pitch of technical climbing with the rest easy 4th and low 5th class scrambling, following the old eyebolts, which were part of the original cables established on the peak. The approach follows through the boulder field and then follow a long line which may be ice covered throughout most of the year, providing an exhilarating alpine experience. For those who are looking for their start into alpine climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Cables Route is a great introduction.
Itinerary: We start this trip well before dawn and depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving about an hour to our trailhead.While driving, we will cover vital safety and climbing considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will confirm all safety and personal climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmets, belay devises, food, clothing and more). Normally it is a 3 -4 hour hike to the climb. We then head off for 6-8 hours of great climbing. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience
Special Notes: This climb is for clients with prior climbing experience.
Difficulty Description: Moderate to difficult due to a long approach (2-3 hours minimum, high altitude at the top of Longs peak is over 14,000 feet) and overall length of trip is up to 16 hours.
Climb: Multi Day
COMING SOON
What's Included In Our Rates?
The services of a professional AMGA certified Rock Climbing Guide or Instructor
Round-trip transportation between your Boulder or Estes Park hotel or our office and the fishing location for groups of 6 or less
All necessary climbing gear (harness, helmet, shoes, belay devices)
Bottled water and snacks (lunch is also included during full-day trips)
Education about the local and natural history (including a library of Rocky Mountain flora and fauna)
Group CB, medical kit, & emergency support.
What's NOT Included In Our Rates?
Gratuities for your guide (while it is up to your discretion, the recommended gratuity is 15-20%) - *Gratuity is auto-added for groups of 6 or more.
Transportation for groups of 7+, we can accommodate larger groups for an additional cost
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