Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail
~5 days · 71.6 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail is known for
The Rainbow Trail is a long traverse skirting the eastern base of the Sangre de Cristo Range in south-central Colorado, officially running for more than 160 km along the foot of the mountains (Ridgefold's mapped route measures 115.3 km). It links canyon mouths and trailheads that give access to the range's high peaks and lakes, crossing national forest land in the San Isabel and Rio Grande areas. It is used both as a point-to-point route and as a connector for shorter loops into the higher wilderness above.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 7,835 ft to 10,246 ft over 71.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 24.8 mi · 35%
- Downhill 19.6 mi · 28%
- Flat 26.8 mi · 38%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail scores 45/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Best hiked from late spring through fall (roughly May to October), with lower elevations melting out earlier than the high side canyons it connects to.
Permits: No permit is required to hike this national forest trail; portions passing through the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness follow standard Leave No Trace and wilderness regulations.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail in about 5 days (4 nights out) over its 71.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail?
The Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail climbs roughly 16,509 ft total — about 231 ft per mile, topping out near 10,299 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail?
Best hiked from late spring through fall (roughly May to October), with lower elevations melting out earlier than the high side canyons it connects to.
Do you need a permit for the Sangre de Cristo — Rainbow Trail?
No permit is required to hike this national forest trail; portions passing through the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness follow standard Leave No Trace and wilderness regulations.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.