With its stunning scenery and abundance of trails‚ Telluride is a hiker’s paradise. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or a challenging climb‚ there’s a trail here to suit every level of hiker. Here are five of the best hiking trails in Telluride⁚
Bear Creek Trail
The Bear Creek Trail is a 5.5-mile loop trail that is perfect for hikers of all levels. The trail follows Bear Creek through a beautiful aspen forest‚ and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is relatively flat‚ with only a few short climbs‚ making it a great option for families with young children. There are also several picnic areas along the trail‚ making it a great place to stop for a lunch break. To get to the trailhead‚ take Highway 145 south from Telluride for about 2 miles. Turn left onto Bear Creek Road and follow it for about 1 mile. The trailhead is on the left.
Distance⁚ 5.5 miles
Elevation gain⁚ 400 feet
Difficulty⁚ Easy
Time to complete⁚ 2-3 hours
Best time to hike⁚ Spring‚ summer‚ and fall
What to bring⁚ Water‚ snacks‚ sunscreen‚ and insect repellent
Dogs⁚ Dogs are allowed on the trail‚ but must be leashed.
Tips⁚ The trail can be muddy in the spring and fall‚ so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. There is also no water available on the trail‚ so be sure to bring plenty of your own.
Jud Wiebe Trail
The Jud Wiebe Trail is a 6.5-mile loop trail that offers stunning views of the San Juan Mountains. The trail is named after Jud Wiebe‚ a local rancher who donated the land for the trail. The trail is moderately difficult‚ with some steep sections and rocky terrain. However‚ the views from the top of the trail are well worth the effort. To get to the trailhead‚ take Highway 145 south from Telluride for about 2 miles. Turn left onto Bear Creek Road and follow it for about 1 mile. The trailhead is on the left.
Distance⁚ 6.5 miles
Elevation gain⁚ 1‚200 feet
Difficulty⁚ Moderate
Time to complete⁚ 3-4 hours
Best time to hike⁚ Spring‚ summer‚ and fall
What to bring⁚ Water‚ snacks‚ sunscreen‚ and insect repellent
Dogs⁚ Dogs are allowed on the trail‚ but must be leashed.
Tips⁚ The trail can be muddy in the spring and fall‚ so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. There is also no water available on the trail‚ so be sure to bring plenty of your own.
Bridal Veil Falls Trail
The Bridal Veil Falls Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a stunning 80-foot waterfall. The trail is relatively easy‚ with only a few short‚ steep sections. The trailhead is located at the end of Bridal Veil Falls Road‚ about 5 miles from Telluride. To get to the trailhead‚ take Highway 145 south from Telluride for about 2 miles. Turn left onto Bear Creek Road and follow it for about 3 miles. Turn right onto Bridal Veil Falls Road and follow it for about 1 mile. The trailhead is at the end of the road.
Distance⁚ 3.5 miles
Elevation gain⁚ 600 feet
Difficulty⁚ Easy
Time to complete⁚ 1-2 hours
Best time to hike⁚ Spring‚ summer‚ and fall
What to bring⁚ Water‚ snacks‚ sunscreen‚ and insect repellent
Dogs⁚ Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Tips⁚ The trail can be muddy in the spring and fall‚ so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. There is also no water available on the trail‚ so be sure to bring plenty of your own.
Imogene Pass Trail
The Imogene Pass Trail is a challenging 13-mile hike that traverses the rugged San Juan Mountains. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys‚ and it’s a great way to experience the beauty of the Telluride region. The trailhead is located at the end of Imogene Pass Road‚ about 10 miles from Telluride. To get to the trailhead‚ take Highway 145 south from Telluride for about 5 miles. Turn left onto Imogene Pass Road and follow it for about 5 miles. The trailhead is at the end of the road.
Distance⁚ 13 miles
Elevation gain⁚ 3‚000 feet
Difficulty⁚ Difficult
Time to complete⁚ 6-8 hours
Best time to hike⁚ Summer and fall
What to bring⁚ Water‚ snacks‚ sunscreen‚ insect repellent‚ and appropriate clothing for the weather
Dogs⁚ Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Tips⁚ The Imogene Pass Trail is a challenging hike‚ so be sure to be prepared for the conditions. The trail is also high-altitude‚ so be sure to acclimatize yourself to the altitude before hiking. There is no water available on the trail‚ so be sure to bring plenty of your own.
Alta Lakes Trail
The Alta Lakes Trail is a beautiful 5-mile loop trail that takes hikers through a series of stunning alpine lakes. The trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys‚ and it’s a great way to experience the beauty of the Telluride region. The trailhead is located at the end of Alta Lakes Road‚ about 10 miles from Telluride. To get to the trailhead‚ take Highway 145 south from Telluride for about 5 miles. Turn left onto Alta Lakes Road and follow it for about 5 miles. The trailhead is at the end of the road.
Distance⁚ 5 miles
Elevation gain⁚ 1‚000 feet
Difficulty⁚ Moderate
Time to complete⁚ 2-3 hours
Best time to hike⁚ Summer and fall
What to bring⁚ Water‚ snacks‚ sunscreen‚ insect repellent‚ and appropriate clothing for the weather
Dogs⁚ Dogs are allowed on the trail.
Tips⁚ The Alta Lakes Trail is a popular trail‚ so be sure to start your hike early to avoid the crowds. The trail is also high-altitude‚ so be sure to acclimatize yourself to the altitude before hiking. There is no water available on the trail‚ so be sure to bring plenty of your own.