The Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Loch

This popular subalpine lake is found nestled between Andrews Creek and Icy Brook.

Plan Around The Loch

A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.

Add to tripView park guide

Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.

The Loch Details

This popular subalpine lake is found nestled in the beautiful valley of Loch Vale, and is one of the more accessible lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its trail rises along Glacier Creek, and is lined with young aspens and pines as it makes its way to Alberta Falls before beginning a moderate climb to a pretty, scenic gorge tucked between the 12,688-foot flanks of Thatchtop Mountain and the Glacier Knobs. The forest thins as the trail nears the lake, and quickly opens up in the long valley, offering dramatic, unobstructed views across the lake and the surrounding peaks of the Continental Divide.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

3.0 miles

Estimated time

3 hours

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around The Loch

Compare nearby parks around The Loch when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

6.0 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

162.9 mi away

Black Canyon

National Park · CO

178.0 mi away

Great Sand Dunes

National Park · CO

242.1 mi away

Arches

National Park · UT

253.5 mi away

Mesa Verde

National Park · CO

257.0 mi away

Canyonlands

National Park · UT

Nearby Points of Interest Around The Loch

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond The Loch while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

Mills Lake

Mills Lake captures the beauty and sublimity of the Rocky Mountain wilderness.

0.1 mi away

Chaos Canyon

A valley with an elevation of 2,790 meters, or 9,154 feet.

0.3 mi away

Black Lake Trail

A crescendo of rivers, waterfalls, and stunning landscapes along the way make the entire hike feel incredibly special.

0.3 mi away

Bear Lake Trailhead

You have your choice of easy or difficult hikes from the Bear Lake Trailhead.

0.3 mi away

Bear Lake Trailhead

You have your choice of easy or difficult hikes from the Bear Lake Trailhead.