Cathedral Lake

Managing agency

Pike-San Isabel NF — South Park RD

Cathedral Lake is a 5.4-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near the Pike-San Isabel National Forest's South Park Ranger District. The hike gains 1,955 feet of elevation, offering a moderate to challenging experience for hikers seeking alpine scenery. Starting from the trailhead, you'll ascend through forest terrain as elevation gain builds steadily toward the lake. The out-and-back format means you'll retrace the same route on your descent, totaling approximately 10.8 miles round trip with cumulative elevation considerations. The trail is managed by the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, South Park Ranger District, which maintains it according to Forest Service standards. This public land access provides reliable trail conditions and management. Cathedral Lake serves as the turnaround point for this hike, making it an ideal destination for day hikers. The trail's distance and elevation gain combination makes it suitable for those with solid hiking fitness and experience at Colorado's elevation.