A 2,000-foot elevation gain to be exact. Another trail for those seeking wildflowers in all their native glory, it’s about a two-hour trek to the pristine, alpine lake, so do plan accordingly.How to get there: From downtown, take Highway 145 west for about three miles. Check out our post here on the new flight schedules, airlines that fly into Telluride, nearby airports that also work great, and a few road trip recommendations for a longer but more scenic route into the box canyon. Find out more about this stunning hiking home here. Why you should go: A secluded summit with 360° views of alpine lakes, waterfalls, rocky ridgelines, and snowy basins across the San Juan Mountains. From the apex of Ajax Peak, you’ll enjoy unrivaled views of the surrounding area in every direction. What remains offers plenty of watercourses to explore, and when we’re lucky, waterfalls. Sign up for our free email to join 85,000+ readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. And you won’t find truer terrain in which to explore all of Mother Nature’s hidden gems, no matter your age, size or fitness level. Sneffels Highline.

The fun thing about this trail is that you can take it in either direction. The locals like to take a “polar bear plunge” in Silver Lake, so don’t be surprised if you see a couple brave souls dive into the frigid water while you’re visiting! The lake is stocked with trout, so bring your rod and reel for some afternoon fishing on the shore.

Tomboy Road, Town of Tomboy & Imogene Pass.

The five-story Lewis Mill was built in 1907, and served as a 60-ton capacity ore-concentration facility in the early 20th century. Turn left to go toward Trout Lake and stay on 63A for about 5 minutes until you reach Hope Lake Road.

In addition to a birdseye view of the Town of Telluride, you’ll see Mt. After crossing Ingram Falls, it’s a pretty straightforward climb to the summit. how to deal with Telluride's high elevation and altitude sickness. Bring your backpack and you can even spend the night camping along the shore of the lower lake. Telluride Trail.

Turn around and you’ll enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Town of Telluride with the Sneffels Range in the background. Even if you don’t feel like completing the full 17.5-mile hike from Telluride to Ouray, it’s worth hiking a portion of the trail for the stellar views and a tour of the area’s mining history. Whether you’re looking to summit a mountaintop, spend the afternoon fishing at a secluded lake, or appreciate one of the areas many picturesque waterfalls, we’ve got your covered. These places are best for hiking trails in Telluride: Which places provide the best hiking trails in Telluride for couples? You’ll finish with a walk through an aspen forest before returning to the Town of Telluride. And if you need a place to stay in the area, check our guide to Telluride’s best airbnbs.

The trail initially winds through fir forests until the path opens to Pack Basin, a verdant meadow spotted with boulders and wildflowers. We also have detailed information and local advice for hiking Mount Sneffels, Telluride Via Ferrata, Wilson Peak, Sunshine Peak, Cross Mountain Trail, Eider Creek to Deep Creek, Wasatch Trail and Hope Lake.

Just 3.6 miles round trip to the top of the falls, the elevation gain is only 1,650 feet, and thus, suitable for all ages and abilities. Become completely immersed in the Colorado wilderness, as you experience maximum bliss because of the minimal amount of foot-traffic throughout this San Juan Mountain environment.How to get there: From downtown, walk south on Pine St, cross the bridge, and look for signs for the Wasatch Trail. If you’re feeling particularly bold, you can continue along the trail to Blue Lakes Pass for more panoramic vistas. Please note: the hike does require some scrambling on loose soil and rock for optimal viewing, so do wear sturdy shoes.How to get there: Walk north on North Aspen Street in downtown Telluride until it dead ends, at which point you'll see the trail to reach Cornet Creek Falls. Parking is extremely limited here, so it’s best to park 0.8 miles down the road at the base of Bridal Veil Falls and hike up to the trailhead. Wasatch Trail Loop. Following Bridal Veil Creek, you’ll pass several cascades and waterfalls while enjoying picturesque views. There are benches to catch your breath along the way, and when you reach the top you can take a free gondola ride back into town. Many of those are seasonal and intermittent, and countless others have been permanently changed or lost by manmade diversions and dams. Village Trail Telluride is a renowned year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world class skiing in the winter and gorgeous alpine hikes from spring to fall. Read our editorial policy to learn more. Be sure to be on the lookout for abandoned mini-cabins and antique equipment along your 5.7-mile roundtrip. It’s a great family-friendly hike, but considering you climb about 1,200 feet in a little over a mile it’s not for every little hiker out there. Stay in a gorgeous Basque-influenced home in the mountains, and step right onto the trails that leave from your backyard.

After crossing the first creek, you’ll climb a rocky trail that’s probably the hardest part of the hike.

How to get there: From downtown Telluride, head east on Main Street until it becomes East Highway 145. From Telluride's Bridal Veil Falls to the Black Bear Pass, find the perfect Telluride hike, snowshoe or nordic ski route. Why you should go: Experience the high alpine country of the San Juan Mountains with stellar views, alpine basins, and meadows with thigh-high fields of wildflowers. Starting from the bottom of the gondola in Mountain Village, the Ridge Trail climbs through gorgeous aspen forest for a little over 1,000 feet. We may earn a small commission when you make a purchase or booking through our links. Another moderate trail that can be accessed right from Telluride proper, this is a 3-mile loop that takes you lush aspen forests, sprawling fields and meadows, and wide-open sightlines of Telluride the entire way.How to get there: Go north on North Aspen Street from downtown just as you would to get to Cornet Creek Falls. You’ll definitely need a map and a few snacks.

From the Pandora Mill on the edge of town, you’ll hike up the gravel road towards Bridal Veil Falls. Come see the tallest free-falling falls in all of Colorado!

Just head for these hills and find the best Telluride hikes for you. As the second highest drivable pass in Colorado, it’s one of the most thrilling scenic drives in the entire state. Not to be confused with Telluride’s other Blue Lake (you can access that singular lake on the shorter Bridal Veil Falls to Blue Lake hike), the Blue Lakes on this hike are high in the San Juan Mountains between Telluride and Ridgway. That sound you hear is the Liberty Bell basin and mine calling your name. That’s great for those who are bold enough to bag Ballard Peak, as you’ll enjoy pristine alpine forests and spectacular views in solitude.

Arizona has more than 100,000 miles of river, creek, and stream. Jud Wiebe Trail & Cornet Falls. The locals recommend taking the loop counterclockwise. But once you’ve gathered all the necessary supplies, you now know the ideal Telluride’s hiking trail waiting for you. The first waterfall appears about 1.7 miles into your hike, but it’s not the main attraction. If you’re able to visit from mid July to early August, the hillsides along the trail are covered in wildflowers. Whether you’re just taking a leisurely stroll or going backpacking on a multi-day excursion along Telluride’s 14’ers, plan ahead. Trails: Bridal Veil Falls. Liberty Bell Trail. Bilk Creek Basin. "Its moderately steep, but great views of the falls, "We arrived at the road leading to the trail and it was occluded with, "Ice still in the lake and walked through, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Telluride, Hotels near Telluride Mountain Village Gondola, Hotels near (MTJ) Montrose County Airport, Hotels near (TEX) Telluride Regional Airport, Things to do near Telluride Mountain Village Gondola, See more hiking trails in Telluride on Tripadvisor, See more hiking trails for couples in Telluride on Tripadvisor, See more budget-friendly hiking trails in Telluride on Tripadvisor. All of the trails are dog-friendly, too, so it’s a great place to bring your furry friend along for some afternoon exercise. Be careful as you make the, at times, strenuous journey and always try to keep your eyes on what’s ahead (which will include immaculate views of wildflowers and wildlife).How to get there: From downtown, take North Oak Street north until it becomes Tomboy Road and veers right. Receive important updates on InvitedHome including new home listings and promotions. If you haven’t done any of these bucket-list hikes yet, get out there! You can learn more about our editorial and affiliate policy, Butcher Jones Recreation Site: Soak Up Saguaro Lake, Crown Jewels: 14 Majestic Hikes in Glacier National Park, 21 Epic Arizona Waterfalls You Can Hike To, 13 Secluded Cabin Rentals in Colorado for Remote Getaways, 10 Best Glamping Resorts in Colorado for Epic Outdoor Adventures, The 14 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Washington, 20 Incredible Hikes in Southern California. Why you should go: Aspen groves, mountain meadows, and panoramic views of Telluride from Bridal Veil Falls to the valley floor. Your guide to trails in Telluride. How to get there: Head up Bridal Veil Falls road until you see the parking area. Easily accessed and just 170 feet in elevation gain, be on the lookout for passing joggers who are out on their daily run with a view.How to get there: Start the trail anywhere in downtown Telluride, and take it easy toward the box canyon.

While the trail itself is moderate with a 1,500-foot elevation gain, it is very high in altitude (nearly 14,000 feet) so please take note. Summiting this picturesque peak isn’t easy, but it’s a relatively short hike for peak baggers with their eye on one of Colorado’s iconic peaks. But this short jaunt is definitely long on presentation and is still one of the best Telluride trails around. The trail includes two creek crossings, so be prepared to get your feet wet! Along the way, you’ll pass historic mining structures as you ascend the 2,500-foot elevation gain.

A combination of a technical climb and a ridgeline hike, the Via Ferrata is the international name for this type of protected climb. To the right is Wilson Peak and Gold Hill. From the trailhead at the end of South Pine Street you’ll head into the Bear Creek Preserve, a public open space preserved by the San Miguel Conservation Foundation in partnership with the Town of Telluride. Keep your navigation on point and pick up a copy of a Telluride area trails map too. From the trailhead at the end of South Pine Street you’ll head into the Bear Creek Preserve, a public open space preserved by the San Miguel Conservation Foundation in partnership with the Town of Telluride. We hesitate to even call this a proper hike, as it is only .5 miles, roundtrip. The Lewis Mine Hike begins at the gate blocking access to the historic power plant. When you reach the summit between Pack and Mill Basins, you’ll enjoy expansive views to the southwest including Lizard Head, El Diente, Wilson Peak, and the Telluride ski areas. Get the latest on our Commitment to Clean in response to COVID-19. This is an out-and-back trail, so you'll come down the same way you went up. Read our, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.