Best Hikes Near Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is a Box Canyon ski town in the San Juan Mountains, with some of the most dramatic hiking access in Colorado.
Bridal Veil Falls
Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall drops 365 feet from a hanging valley. The trail follows a historic mining road with spectacular mountain views.
Sneffels Highline Trail
Spectacular high ridge walk along the spine of the Sneffels Range. The route crosses Mears Pass, traverses high alpine ridges with continuous views of the Sneffels group, and descends into a glacial cirque. A classic San Juan backcountry day.
Black Bear Pass Trail
Famous (and infamous) high alpine route between Red Mountain Pass and Telluride. Used mostly by experienced 4WD drivers; hikers do the upper section as a day climb to the pass. The descent into Telluride involves extreme exposure.
Hiking in Telluride: what to know
Telluride hiking is defined by the box canyon: the town sits at 8,750 feet, with 13,000-foot peaks rising directly above on three sides. Many hikes start within walking distance of downtown.
Bridal Veil Falls is the most iconic local destination: a 365-foot waterfall (Colorado's tallest free-falling) visible from town. The 3.6-mile trail follows a historic mining road; the falls and the historic power station at the top are the payoff. Snow melt creates the biggest flows in June.
Bear Creek Falls is the shorter, easier local option: a 5-mile round trip from town through wildflower meadows to a smaller waterfall. Best in June and July when wildflowers peak.
The free Telluride-to-Mountain Village gondola provides access to higher trails. From the Mountain Village end, the Wasatch Trail and connector trails reach the Wilson Peak / Lizard Head area.
Wilson Peak (the mountain on the Coors beer can) is the most accessible 14er from Telluride, 45 minutes from town at the Rock of Ages Trailhead. Mount Wilson, El Diente, and Wilson Peak together form a technical 14er trio.
For shorter, easier hikes, the Mountain Village area has paved trails and the Telluride Town Park provides easy nature walks.
The Sneffels Highline Trail is the area's premier ridge walk: 13 miles round trip along the spine of the Sneffels Range with continuous high-alpine views. This is a full backcountry day requiring acclimatization.
Telluride weather is volatile: afternoon thunderstorms are common July-September; September gets unpredictable early snow. Fall colors peak around the third week of September and are spectacular.
Winter shifts the hiking calendar: Bear Creek Falls is a popular snowshoeing destination; higher trails become backcountry ski tours.
14ers Near Telluride
3 Colorado 14ers (peaks over 14,000 ft) have their trailheads near Telluride.
Mount Wilson
San Juan Range
El Diente Peak
San Juan Range
Wilson Peak
San Juan Range