North Inlet Trail, Hiking trail in Grand County, Colorado, US

The North Inlet Trail begins at the North Inlet feeder into Grand Lake and climbs 11.5 miles to Flattop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. A 2.8-mile spur, the Nokoni-Nanita Spur, branches off the main route. The trail follows a course built between 1926 and 1931.

The trail underwent reconstruction between 1926 and 1931 by the National Park Service, connecting existing pathways under landscape architect Allison van V. Dunn's direction. In 2008, the route earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places for its designed features and approach to land stewardship.

The trail has also been known as the Grand Lake Trail and the Flattop Trail, names that reflect its two endpoints: the North Inlet feeder into Grand Lake below and Flattop Mountain at the top of its 11.5-mile course. A 2.8-mile spur, the Nokoni-Nanita Spur, branches off the main route.

The route starts at Grand Lake and presents varying difficulty depending on how much of the network you choose to explore. Proper footwear and preparation for mountain conditions will help make your hike safer and more enjoyable.

The path was designed by a notable landscape architect who brought knowledge about conservation and trail building into every detail, visible in the carefully planned curves and grades. This crafted approach sets it apart from simple mountain paths and makes it an example of intentional wilderness route planning.