Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United States
Colorado
Montezuma County

Cliff Palace Loop Trail & (Guided) Balcony House Loop Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United States
Colorado
Montezuma County

Cliff Palace Loop Trail & (Guided) Balcony House Loop Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

Easy

Cliff Palace Loop Trail & (Guided) Balcony House Loop Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

01:38

5.55km

160m

Climb ladders and crawl through tunnels to explore North America's largest cliff dwelling firsthand.

Ready to explore one of America's most incredible archaeological sites? This trail combines the famous Cliff …

Last updated: September 25, 2025

Download GPX

Save

Move start point

Edit route

Navigate

Send to Phone

Tips

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions

Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.

394 m in total

Waypoints

A

Start point

Get Directions

1

260 m

Cliff Palace View & Loop Trail

Highlight • Historical Site

Perfect photo spot for the Cliff Palace from the Cliff Palace Loop. The palace consists of at least 150 rooms and was home for around 100 people. One assumes that …

Tip by

2

3.08 km

Stone Steps and Ladders to Balcony House

Highlight • Historical Site

To get up to the Balcony House, you must climb some steep, narrow stone steps, with chains for your hands to help you up. There is also a modern 32-foot …

Tip by

3

3.31 km

Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)

Highlight • Historical Site

The Balcony House Tour in Mesa Verde National Park is a one-hour, ranger-guided experience that provides a chance to learn about a mid-sized cliff dwelling with 38 rooms and two …

Tip by

B

5.55 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.40 km

2.09 km

669 m

385 m

Surfaces

2.79 km

1.66 km

808 m

298 m

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Elevation

Elevation

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Weather

Powered by AerisWeather

Today

Monday 3 November

22°C

5°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

This route was planned by komoot.

Loading

Nearby routes

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

4.8

380

Petroglyph Point Trail loop – Mesa Verde National Park

01:15h

4.51km

80m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

4.8

377

Petroglyph Point Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

01:14h

4.51km

70m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

4.4

76

Spruce Canyon Trail loop — Mesa Verde National Park

01:16h

4.10km

150m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

4.7

55

Point Lookout Trail – Mesa Verde National Park

01:11h

3.82km

140m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

18

Prater Ridge Trail north loop — Mesa Verde National Park

02:34h

8.86km

230m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

5.0

8

Long House Tour and Loop — Mesa Verde National Park

02:19h

8.34km

150m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

3.0

21

Park Point Overlook Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

00:12h

746m

10m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

5.0

8

Prater Ridge Trail south loop – Mesa Verde National Park

02:05h

6.97km

220m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Intermediate

5

Knife Edge Trail and Mesa Verde Point — Mesa Verde National Park

03:01h

10.4km

270m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

1

Step House and Nordenskiold House — Mesa Verde National Park

01:09h

4.13km

80m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

4

Cedar Tree Tower and Farming Terrace Trail loop — Mesa Verde National Park

00:17h

999m

20m

How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Bike

Mountain Bike

Road Bike

Running

Easy
Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.
Intermediate
Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.
Expert
More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.
Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.
Easy

4.0

1

Far View Community Sites loop — Mesa Verde National Park

00:16h

1.00km

20m

Explore
RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepacking
B2B
PartnersConnectEmbed routes
Company
PressWhat's NewPioneersProduct UpdatesAmbassadorsAdventure Hub
Community
Help GuidesSupportKomoot Treasure Hunt
Download the app
Follow Us on Socials

© komoot GmbH

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Community guidelines
Vulnerability disclosure program
Imprint
Information for law enforcement