The Durango area boasts literally thousands of miles of incredible hiking and biking trails. Below is a list of some of the more popular hiking trails.
For additional information on hiking trails and for trail maps visit:
San
Juan National Forest Office
San
Juan Mountains Association - Stewardship for public
lands in Southwest
Colorado
Trails
2000 - Trail work and trails advocacy group based
in Durango
You may also stop by the Visitor Center at Santa Rita Park for local's recommendations and trail maps. 
|
Colorado Mountain Expeditions, LLC
Enjoy hiking the backcountry of The Colorado Trail without the logistical worries and burden of carrying a heavy backpack! 3, 5 and 6 day supported, progressive hiking trips. Experience hiking a different segment of the trail each day.
3635 CR 301
Durango
, CO
81303
1-877-600-2656
970-375-1250
Email
Sales
Check
Availability
|
|
A few tips before you start your hiking trip:
- Be sure to get a good night's sleep before your hike.
- Remember to drink more water than usual, and remember
to bring your own. Although the water in the streams and
lakes looks clear, it may contain harmful bacteria.
- Carry a backpack with first aid supplies, a compass, map,
water, warm clothing, raingear and quick energy foods, such
as candy or dried fruit.
- Be sure to use sunscreen since there is more sun exposure
at higher altitudes.
- Hike quietly... there is plenty of wildlife to see, so
the quieter you are , the better chance you'll have of seeing
some.
- The best time to hike in higher elevations is the morning.
Rain showers are frequent in the afternoon. Avoid lightning
by reaching our highest altitude by noon.
- Hiking boots are best, but sturdy shoes are a must.
GOULDING CREEK TRAIL is especially nice in September and
early October when the aspen groves are shimmering gold. It's a moderately
difficult, 6-mile round-trip hike that climbs above Hermosa Cliffs near Tamarron
Resort. Three miles up the trail is a spot that offers a view into the secluded
Hermosa Creek Roadless Area, one of the best elk summering grounds in Southwest
Colorado.
Location: The trail begins about 17 miles north of Durango on the west side
of Highway 550, mile north of Tamarron Resort's entrance.
ANIMAS MOUNTAIN is a 5-mile, round-trip great any time of the year and
takes between 3-4 hours to complete. During winter months, November thru May,
most of the upper elevations are deeply covered with snow. When this occurs,
elk and deer descend to this level and are frequently sighted. Views of the
Animas Valley and River are a beautiful sight on this hike. Chipmunks, squirrels
and a variety of jays also inhabit this mountain. Hikers should use caution,
as this trail is heavily used by hikers, bikers and people on horseback.
Location: From
downtown Durango, make a left on 32nd Street (west of Main Avenue) to its end
on W. 4th Avenue. Turn right and travel about 2 blocks to the end of the street
where parking is available.
RAIDER RIDGE OVERLOOK is an easy 1-mile hike that offers a great view of the
Fort Lewis College campus and Durango. Parts of the La Plata Mountains can
also be seen on this hike. Wildlife sightings include deer, squirrels, chipmunks
and a variety of birds, year-round. During the winter months, elk can be frequently
spotted. This hike also continues east to County Road 234, which makes a longer
(about 10 miles) and uphill hike.
Location: Follow 8th Avenue, off of College Drive, to 3rd Street and go one
block east to its end. The trailhead begins here.
|
|
 |
|
ANIMAS VIEW OVERLOOK TRAIL is trail an easy .6-mile journey that can be treated
as a half or full-day hike. It is a short but pleasurable trail that tells
of the forces of nature that formed this area of Colorado. The trail, which
is fun and educational, is open May thru October. Along the hike, signposts
provide geological and ecological information about the trail. This trail is
also the only one in the Durango area which is wheelchair accessible. The hike
leads to the San Juan Mountain Overlook, which provides a beautiful view of
the Animas Valley. There are also plenty of signs of wildlife along this trail.
Squirrels, deer and a variety of birds can be seen on this hike.
Location: From Durango, head north on Main Avenue to 25th Street. Make a left
turn on 25th Street (also called Junction Creek Road) and proceed about three
miles past the forest boundary sign. Continue on the dirt road past Junction
Creek Campground, at milepost 7. On the right, you'll see a parking lot with
restrooms and the trailhead.
MOUNTAIN VIEW CREST offers spectacular views of Pigeon Peak, Turret Peak
and Chicago Basin, all located within the Weminuche Wilderness area. To reach
these classic viewing areas, it's necessary to plan a full day hike (9-10-miles,
round-trip.) The hike is moderately difficult and rises to 12,998 feet.
Location: From downtown Durango, head north on Main Avenue to 32nd Street and
turn right. Follow the road until you reach East Animas Road (County Road 250),
turn left and proceed 9 miles to Missionary Ridge Road. Take a right an travel
19 miles to Henderson Lake Road and turn right. Follow it 4 miles to the wilderness
boundary and park your car. The last 4 miles may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
From the wilderness boundary, hike north along the east side of Lima Mesa past
Silver Lake and up to the summit of Mountain View Crest.
POTATO (SPUD) LAKE TRAIL is an easy day hike or overnight camp is great for
children, offering fishing and picnic spots and plenty of places to camp. The
lily pond across from the trailhead provides and intriguing and valuable lesson
about lake ecology, while the 2-mile round-trip hike, climbing from 9,360 feet
to 9,800 feet, provides plenty of interesting diversions. Beaver ponds exist
along this journey and children have the chance to feel the toothmarks in Aspen
stumps. When reaching the trout-filled lake, the trail may be followed in either
direction. Children may explore the banks and find strawberries and raspberries.
Local campsites are available and no camping permits are required. Potato Hill
(also called Spud Mountain) is visible from the trail, as well as Engineer
Mountain and Graysill Peak and Grizzly Peak.
|
|
|
|
MISSIONARY RIDGE is a good half-day, advanced hike through deep woods, Haflin
Canyon takes you up from the Animas Valley through nearly 3,000 feet of ascent,
almost always through trees. The hike also illustrates different climatic zones
and associated forestation, staring among the pinion, junipers and oak brush,
reaching a level of Ponderosa Pine, and traveling through the quaking Aspen
before reaching spruce and fir forests. This 6.4-mile hike (round-trip) starts
at 6,620 feet and climbs to 9,400 feet, beginning near Haflin Creek. This trail
rises above the creek, crosses and reached to top of the ridge above the stream
source for a good view of the river valley below.
Location: From Durango, head east on 32nd Street and travel to the end, turning
left on County Road 250. After just over 5 miles of travel, you'll see a sign
(on the east side of the road) for Haflin Creek.
COLORADO TRAIL/JUNCTION CREEK offers an excellent chance to explore part of
the 469-mile Colorado Trail. Children have the perfect opportunity to explore
the woods and search for signs of wildlife along this spruce-covered trail.
The trail follows Junction Creek and provides beautiful views in all directions.
Hikers should be careful on this path because it is a very popular, multi-use
trail.
Location: From Durango, head north on Main Avenue, and turn left onto 25th
Street, also called Junction Creek Road. Travel on Junction Creek Road for
about 3 miles to where it enters the San Juan National Forest. A parking area
is located on the left, near the trailhead.
SANTA RITA PARK TRAIL is a very enjoyable paved trail great for all family
members. The path runs along the Animas River, beginning at the Durango Visitor
Center. The trail is a quick and easy 3-mile walk that can be followed by relaxing
in the park while the kids have fun at the playground.
Location: Take Highway 550 south to the Durango Visitor Center, at Santa Rita
Park (formerly called Gateway Park.) The trail can be taken to the east, leading
to the Durango Mall, or west, past the DoubleTree Hotel.
HERMOSA CREEK TRAIL offers beautiful scenery of pine, spruce and wildflowers.
Creeks follow parts of the trail and provide children with an excellent opportunity
to view creek life. Possible wildlife sightings include deer, squirrels, birds
and elk. Hermosa Creek Trail is one of the heavily used trails in Southwestern
Colorado. It is also considered one of the easiest because there are no major
changes in altitude. This is also a multi-use trail, so use caution when hiking.
Location: Take Highway 550 north of Durango to Hermosa. Turn left and travel
west until you meet County Road 203. Turn north and proceed about five miles
to where the road ends and the trail begins. Parking is available here.
|
|
|
|
LION'S DEN TRAIL is a hike which children will find very enjoyable. As will
all trails in the area, there is a chance of wildlife sightings. This path
is a multi-use trail, so hikers should use caution since the trail is also
used by bikers. The trail is located across from Fort Lewis College Recreation
Complex, complete with a playground, covered picnic areas, restrooms and softball
fields.
Location: From Durango, follow E. 3rd Avenue northeast to merge with Florida
Road. Continue 1.7 miles, turning right on College Drive. Follow uphill for
1 mile and take the 2nd right west onto Rim Drive. Follow for mile to the edge
of the mesa. Turn left into the first dirt parking lot on your right. Or turn
right and follow Rim Drive north to Lion's Den, where off-road parking is available
on the left.
CENTENNIAL NATURE TRAIL at Fort Lewis is a mile trail that connects Fort
Lewis College and Durango. It offers a beautiful view of Durango an up-close
look at nature. The trail begins at the south edge of the college, near the
chapel and descends 300 feet. After a series of turns, the hike comes to an
end at E. 10th Street and 6th Avenue.
Location: From Durango, follow North College Drive, or 8th Avenue, to Rim Drive.
Parking is available across from the chapel. This is the downhill version of
the nature trail hike.
DRY FORK LOOP offers views of the La Plata Mountains and
meets up with the Colorado Trail. Hikers must be careful on this path because
it is a very popular, multi-use trail.
Location: From Durango, head west on Highway 160 and turn north on Lightner
Creek Road (County Road 207). Follow this road for 1 mile, veering right onto
Dry Fork Road (CR 208). This gravel road enters the Perins Peak Wildlife Area.
Go 2 miles, taking a right at the fork. Continue 1 mile to the trailhead, parking
on the left. Follow the single-track trail up 1 mile to the intersection of
Dry Fork and Hoffheins Connection trails. Make a clock-wise loop by following
the Dry Fork Trail to the left. Continue up 3 miles, until you meet the Colorado
Trail. Turn right onto the Colorado Trail and continue for another 3 miles,
looking for Hoffheins Connection on the right. For a panoramic view, continue
another 300 yards to Gudy's Rest. Descend the Hoffheins Connection to the Dry
Fork Trail. Angle left and continue down to your starting point.
PASS CREEK TRAIL climbs up moderate switchbacks and then
gradually climbs up to the base of Engineer Mountain. Much of it falls on the
heavily timbered northern aspect of the mountain, and patches of snow may linger
in mid-summer. Toward the top, the trail breaks out into beautiful alpine meadows
at the base of the peak, offering sweeping views of the Needles Mountains and
Animas Valley.
Location: From Durango, drive 35 miles north on Highway 550. Turn left into
a graveled parking area at Coalbank Pass. The trailhead starts here. Parking
is also available on the left side of the highway before the trailhead.
