Photo by Alex PersonHigh Dune Loop
2h
Hidden gem
3 expert tips“Sand surface temperatures can exceed 150°F in midsummer afternoons — start hiking before 9am or after 4pm to protect your feet.”
Roman, Fyno expert“Bring at least 2 liters of water per person — the dry air and elevation accelerate dehydration rapidly.”
Roman, Fyno expert“Sandboards and sleds can be rented at Kristi Mountain Sports just outside the park if you want to turn the descent into something memorable.”
Roman, Fyno expertCompare prices:
HikingSunrise spotsEpic viewsSand dunesSoaring mountainsSandboarding
Curated byRomanUpdated I’d put High Dune Loop on the list for a hike.
More about this place
The High Dune Loop is the primary hiking trail into the heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park, a strenuous 2.6-mile round trip that climbs nearly 700 feet of loose sand to the crest of the tallest dunes in North America at 699 feet. The effort is demanding — each step sinks into deep sand — but the summit views are extraordinary: a sea of rippled dunes spreading in every direction, the flat San Luis Valley beyond, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a jagged backdrop.
The route is unmarked — you simply head toward the highest point you can see, crossing between dunes and ridges as you ascend. The descent is fast and can involve exhilarating sand-running or sledding. Timing the visit around sunrise or sunset rewards you with dramatic shadows in the dune ripples.
The dunes are a dynamic, ever-shifting system — the highest point changes over months and years as wind redistributes the sand, making each visit slightly different.
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