Perhaps the most quintessential of all national parks in the United States lies a couple of hours north of Denver, Colorado. It is here that you will see breathtaking mountains, beautiful alpine mountain lakes, epic wildlife sightings, and 355 miles of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park! Here are the Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes.
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
It is easy to say that Rocky Mountain National Park is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. You can find wonderful trails available for just about everyone from easy strolls along the forest for kids to one of the most challenging hikes in the National Park System.
If you’re planning a visit to the Rockies and find yourself wondering what are some of the best hikes in the park, here’s a guide to some of the best hikes in this hidden gem in Colorado for every experience level.
Common Questions about Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes
What are the most popular and best hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park?
I would say that Bear Lake is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Emerald Lake, Alberta Falls trail, Mt Ida, and Sky Pond round out the top five trails.
What are the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park?
The best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park include the Sprague Lake Trail, Bear Lake Trail, and Alpine Ridge Trail. Each of these trails is easy, and flat, and offers outstanding views!
Are pets allowed on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Pets are prohibited on ALL Rocky Mountain National Park trails, tundra, and meadows.
What is my favorite hike in Rocky Mountain National Park?
My personal favorite hike is to take the Emerald Lake Trail. Make sure to include a side trip to Lake Haiyaha. Also, make sure to get an early start to best photograph this amazing scenery! Park at the Bear Lake Trailhead in the Bear Lake Area.
The first Lake you will come across is Dream Lake which is the most photographed in the park! Rightfully so as it is breathtaking and is partially filled with water lilies.
Continue to Emerald Lake before making your way to Lake Haiyaha. From here, you will also discover spectacular views of Loch Vale and Longs Peak on your way to Lake Haiyaha which itself is jaw-dropping! I can't think of a better hike in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Alpine Ridge Trail
Trail Length: 0.6 miles
Elevation gain: 209 feet
Difficulty rating: Easy Trail
Location: Alpine Visitor Center
This is a fantastic hike to introduce people to the Alpine Tundra environment! You will get to see outstanding vistas, you’ll get to see peaks such as Mount Chiquita, Mount Chapin, and Ypsilon Mountain, not to mention you will have great wildlife viewing opportunities with a chance of spotting animals such as pikas and marmots! If that's not enough, the wildflowers are plentiful in late spring and early summer!
Park Ranger John Pro Tip:
Don’t let this trail's short length fool you. Even though it’s extremely short Barely over a half-mile roundtrip, with an elevation gain of just over 200 feet, it does end at over 12,000 feet in elevation. That's well over a whopping 2 miles above sea level! This has given this short hile the name Huffers Hill and for good reason, anyone not used to the high elevation will almost certainly be huffing for air by the time you reach the top.
Bear Lake Trail
Trail Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation gain: 49 feet
Difficulty rating: Easy Trail
Location: Simply drive to the end of Bear Lake Road to the Bear Lake Trailhead
If you’re visiting with toddlers or elders, Bear Lake is definitely one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park because it feels more like a lakeside stroll than anything else.
This trail will have you looping your way around Bear Lake, a subalpine lake tucked away in the middle of a beautiful forest. While the trail is only 0.7 miles long and has a slight elevation gain of just 49 feet, it still has a ton to offer. Views of Longs Peak, Half Mountain, and Hallet Peak are just a few of the highlights this wonderful trail has on its menu!
As a tip, this hike is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National park so it tends to get pretty crowded, so starting early in the morning is recommended.
Sprague Lake Loop Trail
Trail Length: 0.9 mile
Elevation Gain: 10 feet
Difficulty Rating: Easy Trail
Location: Sprague Lake Trailhead on Bear Lake Road
This is an easy loop trail with spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains! This is a great hike for photographers to bring their camera equipment and take that jaw-dropping photo that you will tell all your friends about! There are endless opportunities to take great photos as you have beautiful surrounding mountains, pine forest, Sprague Lake, beautiful clouds, lots of interesting subjects to place in the foreground for contrast, etc. I personally spent hours here taking photos!
This trail also offers hikers plenty of park benches to simply stop and take in the scenery and fresh mountain air. Sit back and relax and watch anglers try their luck fishing with hopes of catching a Brook trout, Rainbow Trout, or Brown Trout.
Alberta Falls
Trail Length: 1.7 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Difficulty rating: Easy
Location: Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Another comfortable hike perfect for first-timers or those looking to acclimatize to the altitude, Alberta Falls is another popular trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.
While the hike is a bit more challenging compared to Bear Lake, it’s still manageable even for first-time hikers. It’s only 1.7 miles long, and the trail finishes with views of a gorgeous 30-foot waterfall.
Emerald Lake
Trail Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: 650 feet
Difficulty rating: Easy
Location: Bear Lake Trailhead
Emerald Lake is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for all the right reasons.
Not only is it pretty short and easy, but it also boasts some of the most beautiful views in all of Colorado, making it the perfect choice for first-timers who want to get a quick peak of what the park has to offer. This out-and-back, 3.5-mile hike is also an excellent choice for those who want to get acclimatized to the altitude.
While the star of the show is Emerald Lake, this hike also gives visitors access to two more alpine lakes: Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. It also provides plenty of lookout points to several peaks, including the iconic Long Peak.
As a note, take into account that this is a very popular hike in Rocky Mountain, so solitude won’t be exactly a thing. Plan to get to the trailhead as early as possible in order to avoid crowds.
Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge
Trail length: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 405 Feet
Difficulty rating: Easy
This hike starts along Trail Ridge Road, making it ideal for those who also have a scenic drive on their Rocky Mountain itinerary.
What makes this hike an absolute dream is not only the gorgeous views you’ll get to see as you traverse the alpine tundra, but also the fact that this route is considered a historic one because the indigenous Ute and Arapaho people once used the exact same one for hunting purposes!
This hike is also all about views and historical significance rather than “reaching” something at the end. This means you can hike more calmly, and if you don’t necessarily want to complete the 4 miles, you can turn around whenever you wish to.
Moderate Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Lake Hayiaha
Trail Length: 3.9 Miles
Elevation gain: 865 Feet
Difficulty rating: Moderate Hike
If you did the Emerald Lake hike and couldn’t get enough or want to get views just as gorgeous without having to share them with too many people, you can actually continue onwards towards Lake Hayiaha!
This hike can be considered an “extension” of Emerald Lake, but since most people only reach the lake and turn back, it doesn’t get nearly as crowded.
To get there, you’ll need to hike an extra mile round trip. Lake Haiyaha is another gorgeous mountain lake in the Chaos Canyon, it boasts blue/green water and is surrounded by massive granite cliffs, making the views as alluring as they get!
Bridal Veil Falls
Trail Length: 6.2 miles
Elevation gain: 990 feet
Difficulty rating: Moderate Hike
Running along the Cow Creek area of Rocky Mountain, Bridal Veil Falls, as its name suggests, ends at a beautiful waterfall.
Bridal Veil is a beautiful 20-foot high waterfall, and while it’s definitely the prize at the end of the hike (6.1 miles), there’s plenty to see as you make your way there, so you’ll have a lot of excuses to stop and catch your breath if you need to.
Make sure to hike as quietly as possible, as sightings of mule deer and elk are very common in this region of the park, especially during the fall months.
Deer Mountain
Trail Length: 6.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,210 feet
Difficulty rating: Moderate Hike
If you want high mountain views but don’t necessarily want to brave a challenging hike, Deer Mountain is a great alternative.
This hike is 6.2 miles long and is considered moderate. Deer Mountain tops out just over 10,000 feet, making it a great option if you’re not super experienced at hiking but still want to conquer a peak or if you wish to acclimatize before summiting a fourteener.
The hike is mostly uphill and will have you traversing the forest. Unlike other hikes, this trail doesn’t offer much to see along the way in terms of views, but the ones at the summit are well worth the effort.
Strenuous/Difficult Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Twin Sisters
Trail Length: 7.0 miles
Elevation gain: 2475 Feet
Difficulty rating: Strenuous
With a length of almost 8 miles and an elevation gain of 2,500 feet, this trail is a wonderful choice for those who want to get busy conquering peaks.
Along the hike, you’ll be crossing forests and landslides, all while getting glorious views of several peaks along the divide, including, of course, Twin Peaks.
The best part about this hike is that it gets split in two after a few miles, allowing you to choose which of the Twin Peaks you want to summit. As a tip, the western one is slightly less-challenging, but both peaks are relatively accessible!
Boulder Brook Hike
Trail Length: 8.6 miles
Elevation gain: 1510 feet
Difficulty rating: Moderate to strenuous
If you’re visiting Rocky Mountain National Park during the fall, Boulder Brook Hike is an absolute must.
This trail is a bit of a hidden gem, making it ideal for those who want more solitude. You can complete the trail any other time of the year, but fall brings in gorgeous foliage that makes it look even prettier.
The hike is almost 9 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 1,500 feet. Still, it’s considered moderate to strenuous and you will mostly walk through the forest along a creek, so the trail is pretty idyllic and perfect for those who want a peaceful hike (you’re very likely to get it all to yourself!).
Chasm Lake
Trail Length: 8.5 Miles
Elevation gain: 2500 feet
Difficulty rating: Strenuous
If you’re looking for a bit of a more challenging hike, Chasm Lake is a wonderful choice.
While it’s not the toughest hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, it does come with its challenges, but the rewards you’ll get at the end (and well throughout the hike) are well worth the effort.
Along its 8.5 miles, you’ll be greeted with glimpses of Longs Peak, Columbine Falls, and Peacock Pond, not to mention the beautiful lake you’ll get to see at the end.
Sky Pond
Trail Length: 9.0 Miles
Elevation gain: 1780 Feet
Difficulty rating: Moderate to strenuous
Location: Glacier Gorge Trailhead
This is yet another wonderful hike for those who can’t get enough of the beautiful alpine lakes the park has to offer.
With a length of 9 miles and an elevation gain of almost 2,000 feet, this hike is considered somewhat strenuous and a great alternative for those who want to see lakes but want a trail that feels like more of a challenge.
Along the way, you’ll get treated to views of valleys, rock spires, waterfalls (Alberta Falls), a couple of lakes, and some of the most stunning peaks in the park.
Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida
Trail Length: 9.8 miles
Elevation gain: 3,060 feet
Difficulty rating: Strenuous
What makes this hike extremely special is the fact that most of it happen over the tree line along the Continental Divide, providing spectacular panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park on pretty much every single step you take.
The trail is almost 10 miles long and is considered strenuous, but if you have a decent fitness level, you should be able to complete it if weather conditions are right, especially considering you’ll be making tons of stops along the way to gawk at the beautiful views below!
Black Lake Falls
Trail Length: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 1430 feet
Difficulty rating: Strenuous
As you make your way through Glacier Gorge for a total of 10 miles, you’ll be treated to alpine lakes, waterfalls, streams, meadows, and glorious aspen forests, all before arriving at Black Lake Falls, a waterfall that crashes down from humongous granite cliffs and into a lake.
Even though this hike is definitely demanding, it’s the perfect trail for those looking for variety in landscape, extremely idyllic views, and solitude.
Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route
Trail length: 14.5 miles
Elevation gain: 3825 feet
Difficulty rating: Extremely strenuous. Experience and proper hiking gear are musts.
This is one of the toughest and most sought-after hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, especially for peak collectors eager to conquer one of the most iconic fourteeners in Colorado.
Longs Peak is the highest point in the park, and considering how tall some of the mountains here can get, that’s no small statement to make! There are several different routes to conquer Longs Peak, but Keyhole is one of the favorites for hikes.
This is an out-and-back, 14.5-mile-long trail. It has an elevation gain of almost 4,000 feet and hikers are faced with loose rocks, steep cliffs, and several challenges along the way. Scrambling is a must, and the trail is considered difficult, so we only recommend tackling it if you are an experienced hiker and have conquered fourteeners before!
I hope this list of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your time in the park! Luckily, there are hikes available for every experience level, so even if it’s your first time hiking, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to practice, just make sure you acclimatize properly in order to adjust to the altitude.
Have you ever visited Rocky Mountain National Park? What are some other incredible hikes worth tackling? If you have any other recommendations, please feel free to drop them in the comment section below!
Additional Rocky Mountain National Park information
Complete Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park This complete guide will help you plan a perfect trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Includes general park information, camping, lodging options, weather by season and so much more!
Things to do at Rocky Mountain National Park include all the top activities to do while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park!
Things to know before your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park
Entrance fee
1 day pass - vehicle - $25
1-day pass - person - $15
1 day pass - motorcycle - $36
7-day single-vehicle park pass - $35
7-day motorcycle park pass - $30
Annual Park Pass - $70
Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder.
Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Timed Entry Reservations
The National Park Service is bringing back timed entry reservations for those looking to tor the park between May 26 through October 22, 2023, so be sure to make reservations and read the fine print if you’re hoping to visit during this time.
If you are visiting between October 12-May 27 or have a camping reservation, a guided trip, or a commercial tour, you will only need to pay the entry fee or have a National Park Pass.
Rocky Mountain National Park has seen unprecedented traffic congestion in recent years without any signs of slowing down. This forced the National Park Service to implement a ticketed entry program to relieve this congestion.
This means that now you must get a Park Pass or pay the entry fee plus obtain a timed ticketed entry pass between May 28 to October 11. You can get the ticketed entry pass at:
Online at recreation.gov
U.S. Callers (877)444-6777
International callers (606)515-6777
Use the Recreation.gov mobile app
National Park Passport Stamps
You’ll be able to get your own National Park Passport stamps from any of the three visitor centers - Alpine Visitor Center, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center.
Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us.
Rocky Mountain NP is part of the 1990 Passport Stamp Set
Accessibility
The National Park Service strives to make the parks accessible to all. The Rocky Mountain National Park has several landmarks that are easily accessible, like visitor centers, self-guided trails, campgrounds, scenic lookouts, and more.
Here’s a list of some accessible trails within the park -
- Bear Lake (9,475 feet) - Located at a high altitude, this half-mile hike is a gravel trail surrounding the spectacular Bear Lake.
- Coyote Valley Trail (8,840 feet) - An easy gravel 1-mile trail that crosses the Colorado trail and leads you to the Kawuneeche Valley.
- Lily Lake (8,880 feet) - A primary trail by Lily Lake with stunning overlooks and near an accessible fishing pier.
- Sprague Lake (8,690 feet) - This half-mile hike circles the beautiful Sprague Lake and has benches and accessible fishing docks along the trail. It’s also located near an accessible campground.
Guided Tours
Guided tours are a great way to explore the park, especially if you are visiting in the summer and have missed your opportunity on the ticketed day-use entry that is now required in the busy summer months.
You can also get a professional guide that is there to help you make the most of your trip to the park.
From Estes Park - Rocky Mountain Safari Tour
Be guided through the majestic wonders of Rocky Mountain NP on this national park safari tour. There are multiple stops along the way. This tour captures the most scenery and gives you the most opportunities to spot wildlife.
From Denver - Sightseeing with Picnic Lunch
Discover Rocky Mountain NP on a full-day guided tour. Take in mountain views at Many Parks Curve, explore Horseshoe Park, and visit the hotel that inspired the famous novel "The Shining."
From Denver - Rocky Mountain Day Trip and Lunch
Connect with nature on this day trip from Denver to the Rocky Mountain NP. See the Flatirons sandstone formations, the Stanley Hotel from "The Shinning" film, and stop for a picnic lunch.
From Estes Park - Bear Lake Corridor Tour
This is a specialty tour that takes you to the Bear Lake Corridor in Rocky Mountain.
From Longmont - Rocky Mountain Scenic Airplane Flight
Take to the skies for a 30-minute private flight overlooking the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. Enjoy a guided tour and stunning views of Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes.
From Denver - Rocky Mountain Jeep Tour with Picnic Lunch
Explore Rocky Mountain National Park in a Jeep with a naturalist guide. Marvel at unique flora and fauna while learning about spectacular geology and history. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way.
From Denver - Guided Hiking Tour
Explore the Rocky Mountain National Park on a guided hiking tour from Denver. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the national park with entrance fees and a picnic lunch included as part of the tour.
Where to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park
There are no National Park Lodges within the park.
Nicky's Resort - Nicky's Resort provides amenities like a terrace and a restaurant. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn - At Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, you can look forward to game and wildlife viewing, a terrace, and a firepit. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. The onsite restaurant, Bird and Jim Restaurant, features brunch and happy hour. In addition to a coffee shop/café and a bar, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Silver Moon Inn - Silver Moon Inn provides amenities like free breakfast and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Ponderosa Lodge - Consider a stay at Ponderosa Lodge and take advantage of a firepit, a garden, and a playground. Adventurous travelers may like the fishing at this lodge. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a library and an outdoor entertainment area, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Brynwood on the River - Brynwood on the River provides a hot tub and more. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
The Historic Crag's Lodge - At The Historic Crag's Lodge, you can look forward to a library, laundry facilities, and a hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a restaurant are available to all guests.
Click on the map below to see current vacation rental and hotel rates near the park including Estes Park, Colorado.
National Park Camping
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando
Aspenglen Campground
Season: Summer, Late May to mid-October
Campsites: 52 (RVs permitted, up to 30 ft in length)
Accessibility: Yes, two ADA sites are available
Located in proximity to the Fall River Entrance to the park, the Aspenglen Campground is surrounded by gorgeous alpine trees and meadows. It requires a reservation and has flush toilets, potable water, firewood and ice, and other basic amenities and costs $30/night.
Glacier Basin Campground
Season: Summer, Late May to mid-October
Campsites: 150 (RVs permitted, up to 35 ft in length)
Accessibility: Yes, four ADA sites are available
Located near US. Highway 36 near Estes Park, the glacier Basin Campground is a scenic site with a mix of meadows, alpine trees, and shrubs. It requires a reservation and has flush toilets, potable water, firewood and ice, and other basic amenities and costs $30/night.
Moraine Park Campground
Season: Open year-round, with limited amenities in the winter
Campsites: 244 (RVs permitted, up to 40 ft in length)
Accessibility: Yes, three ADA sites are available
Located near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on US. Highway 36, the Moraine Park Campground, is located north of Moraine Park and boasts scenic vistas of the park and the surrounding mountain peaks. It requires reservations in the summer and operates on a first-come,first-serve basis in the wintertime. It has flush toilets, potable water, firewood and ice, and other basic amenities and costs $30/night (summer) and $20/night (winter).
Timber Creek Campground
Season: Summer, Late May to mid-October
Campsites: 98 (RVs permitted, up to 30 ft in length)
Accessibility: Yes, four ADA sites are available
Located at 8900 feet along the gorgeous Colorado River about eight miles north of the Grand Lake entrance to the park, the Timber Creek campground is the only campground in the west part of the park. It requires a reservation and has flush toilets, potable water, firewood, and other basic amenities and costs $30/night.
Longs Peak Campground
Season: Summer, Late May to mid-October
Campsites: 26 (tent-only, RVs not permitted)
Accessibility: No, zero ADA sites are available
Located 20 minutes south of Estes Park on US. Highway 7, this campground is situated at an altitude of 9500 ft. Here you’ll have panoramic views of the lakes, the mountain peaks, the valley, and beyond. It is a first-come, first-serve-only campground with vault toilets and potable water and costs $30/night.
If you are unable to get a reservation in the park check out these nearby campgrounds.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park -Estes Park, CO
This campground offers lodging, RV and Tent Sites.
Winding River Resort - Grand Lake, CO
This campground offers lodging, RV and Tent Sites
River Run RV Resort - Granby, Co
This campground offers lodging, RV and Tent Sites
Check out all of the campgrounds near Rocky Mountain on Campspot.
National Parks near Rocky Mountain National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park This complete guide will help you plan a perfect trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Includes general park information, camping, lodging options, weather by season and so much more!
Great Sand Dunes National Park This complete guide will help you plan a perfect trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Includes general park information, camping, lodging options, weather by season and so much more!
Arches National Park This complete guide will help you plan a perfect trip to Arches National Park. Includes general park information, camping, lodging options, weather by season and so much more!
Canyonlands National Park This complete guide will help you plan a perfect trip to Canyonlands National Park. Includes general park information, camping, lodging options, weather by season and so much more!
National Park sites to visit near Rocky Mountain National Park
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The park offers not only the opportunity to see amazing petrified trees but also has several amazing hiking trails.
Colorado National Monument Colorado National Monument is located on the western edge of Grand Junction, Colorado. This park offers one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the National Parks, several hiking trails, and camping. This is a hidden gem!
Dinosaur National Monument Dinosaur National Monument is located along the eastern border of Utah and the western border of Colorado. What makes Dinosaur National Monument so unique is seeing such a large concentration of dinosaur bones, a few of which visitors can touch!
Curecanti National Recreation Area Curecanti National Recreation Area borders the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. The park offers boating, hiking, camping and so much more.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site In 1834 Fort Laramie evolved as a private fur trading fort. This fur-trading post evolved into the largest and best-known military post on the Northern Plains before its abandonment in 1890.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located in Western Nebraska near the border of Wyoming. This semi-remote park offers the opportunity to explore two trails that lead to fossil dig sites.
Scotts Bluff National Monument Scotts Bluff National Monument is located in Western Nebraska near the border of Wyoming. The park offers the opportunity to drive through the three auto tunnels in the entire state of Nebraska and learn about the Oregon Trail.
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