Best Hikes Near Durango, Colorado
Durango is the gateway to the San Juan Mountains and the southwestern Colorado wilderness, with hiking from town day-walks to multi-day Weminuche Wilderness backpacks.
Ice Lake Basin
A spectacular hike to a pristine turquoise alpine lake surrounded by colorful peaks and abundant wildflowers. One of Colorado's most beautiful destinations.
Highland Mary Lakes
A scenic hike through historic mining territory to a series of alpine lakes with dramatic views of the surrounding San Juan peaks.
Engineer Mountain Trail
Steep climb from Coal Bank Pass on Highway 550 to the summit of Engineer Mountain. Wildflowers in July, distinctive layered rock formations near the top, and full San Juan panorama from the summit.
Spud Lake Trail
Short, family-friendly hike to a small alpine lake near Coal Bank Pass. Aspen forest in fall, wildflower meadows in summer. Excellent introduction to San Juan alpine hiking.
Crater Lake Trail (Weminuche)
Long approach into the Weminuche Wilderness via the Andrews Lake Trail and Continental Divide Trail to a remote alpine lake beneath Vestal and Arrow peaks. Backpack-worthy destination.
Pine River Trail
Long Weminuche Wilderness valley trail starting at Vallecito Reservoir. Day-hikable to about mile 4 or used as a backpack approach for the upper Pine River basin. Excellent fall colors.
Vallecito Creek Trail
Day-hike or backpack approach into the southern Weminuche Wilderness following Vallecito Creek. Less crowded than the Pine River. Excellent for shorter day-hikes from the Vallecito Reservoir area.
Cascade Creek Trail (Durango)
Wide aspen-and-meadow trail north of Durango along Cascade Creek. Excellent mountain biking and hiking shared use. September aspens are the highlight.
Lime Creek Trail
Easy hike from Old Lime Creek Road through the historic Lime Creek Burn area. Aspen regrowth in the burn zone, with bright fall colors. Lower difficulty than typical Silverton-area trails.
Endlich Mesa Trail
Long Weminuche Wilderness mesa traverse from Vallecito Reservoir. Very quiet backcountry, excellent for backpacking. Aspen forest below treeline, alpine meadows above.
Andrews Lake Trail
Short roadside loop around an alpine lake just off Highway 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) at Molas Pass. Excellent reflections of the surrounding peaks on calm mornings. Connects to the longer Crater Lake Trail for hikers wanting more.
Animas River Trail
Paved riverside trail running 7 miles through downtown Durango. Used by locals for commuting, dog walks, and casual jogs. Connects multiple parks and the historic train depot. The Durango Tour de Force runs on this trail.
Animas Overlook Trail
Short paved loop above Durango with sweeping views of the Animas River valley, downtown Durango, and the San Juan Mountains. Wheelchair accessible. Interpretive signs along the route.
Animas Mountain Trail
Loop up the mountain that frames Durango on the north side. Views down into the Animas Valley, west to Mesa Verde, and east toward the Weminuche Wilderness. The local after-work classic.
Hermosa Creek Trail
Long valley trail through the Hermosa Creek Wilderness, popular as a backpack or a mountain-bike shuttle. Hikers usually do a 6-10 mile out-and-back from either trailhead. Aspens turn early September.
Hiking in Durango: what to know
Durango hiking spans three distinct categories: in-town trails (Animas River Trail, Animas Mountain Trail), trails on the Million Dollar Highway corridor (Andrews Lake, Crater Lake, Ice Lake Basin), and the high alpine destinations in the Weminuche Wilderness (Chicago Basin, the Needles).
The Animas River Trail is a 7-mile paved trail running through downtown Durango along the river. It connects multiple parks and is used by locals for commuting and casual recreation. The Animas Overlook Trail provides a quick easy hike to a viewpoint of the city and valley.
For a real Durango day hike, the Animas Mountain Trail (5.4-mile loop, 1,700 feet of gain) climbs to a summit with views down to town. This is the locals' after-work classic.
The Million Dollar Highway (US 550) accesses some of the best alpine hiking in Colorado. Ice Lake Basin (7 miles round trip, 2,400 feet of gain) is the area showstopper: a high-alpine basin filled with multiple turquoise lakes and wildflowers. Trailhead is at South Mineral Campground near Silverton.
For backcountry trips, Chicago Basin in the Weminuche Wilderness is the iconic destination. Access is by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: the train drops you at Needleton, and you backpack into a high basin to climb the Eolus, Sunlight, and Windom 14ers. Plan 3-4 days for the full trip.
Vallecito Reservoir, 30 minutes northeast of Durango, has shoreline trails and longer hikes into the Weminuche.
Durango sits at 6,512 feet, which makes it a reasonable acclimatization stop for visitors planning the high San Juan hikes (everything in the area starts above 9,000 feet).
Mid-September fall colors in the San Juans are some of the most dramatic in Colorado. The Durango & Silverton train ride during fall colors is justifiably popular.