The town of Telluride is located in a box canyon deep in the beautiful San Juan Mountains.
The steep forested peaks surrounding the town are snow-capped in winter, but spring is bursting with vibrant color.
Although Telluride is most famous for its massive ski resort, it serves as a year-round attraction for outdoor enthusiasts.
The weathered ruins of old mining operations are scattered across the hillsides while popular Bridal Veil Falls sits at the head of the canyon, serving as a popular tourist attraction.
Best Hikes Near Telluride
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sneffels Highline Trail 37.94134, -107.81236 | Difficult to Strenuous | 13 miles |
| Bridal Veil Falls Trail 37.92875, -107.77651 | Moderate | 4 miles |
| Lizard Head Trail 37.81241, -107.90864 | Difficult | 11.7 miles |
| Bear Creek Falls Trail 37.93442, -107.81192 | Easy – Moderate | 4.6 miles |
| Blue Lake Trail 37.91937, -107.76776 | Moderate – Difficult | 6 miles |
| Wasatch Trail 37.93433, -107.81191 | Difficult – Strenuous | 7 miles |
| Telluride Trail 37.93611, -107.81379 | Easy | 4.8 miles |
| Navajo Lake Trail 37.80533, -108.06319 | Difficult | 9.2 miles |
| Whipple Mountain Trail 37.96439, -107.90212 | Difficult | 14.5 miles |
| Lake Hope Trail 37.80503, -107.85168 | Moderate | 4.5 miles |
How to Get There
Getting to Telluride can be a bit challenging because of its distance from major international airports.
Denver is the closest major airport, located about six hours away from town. From Denver, you can rent a car and drive to Telluride.
Alternatively, smaller airports are located closer to Telluride, including the spectacular Telluride Regional Airport nestled right in the mountain.
From Denver or Dallas-Fort Worth, you can fly into the Montrose-Telluride airport. It’s a 75 minute drive from Montrose-Telluride into town.
Another option is to fly into the Grand Junction Regional Airport, located about two and a half hours from Telluride.
Six major cities offer non-stop flights into Grand Junction, including Denver. Durango-La Plata is another airport located the same distance away as the Grand Junction Regional Airport, with options to fly in from various major cities.
Great Lakes Airlines serves Telluride’s airport, located fifteen minutes from the ski resort, and offering year-round flight options.
Flying directly into the Telluride airport is the only way to avoid a significant amount of drive time.
Things to Know
The hiking season is from May to early October, with the wildflowers peaking in early July.
The trails vary from easy day hikes to high elevation excursions.
Many of the mountains around Telluride exceed 13,000 feet and are sprinkled with high alpine lakes.
Bridal Veil Falls is the highest free-falling waterfall in Colorado, serving as a popular hiking destination.
Although mornings can foretell a beautiful sunny day, afternoons often bring Colorado rainstorms – especially if you are hiking in the summer – so it’s important to be prepared for wet weather and changing temperatures.
It’s essential to carry sunscreen and extra layers, not to mention that bug spray is recommended during the summer months.
There are over 90 total hikes and historic walks through town, making for a coveted adventurer’s destination that never really loses its charm.
Tips For Hiking At Elevation
If you don’t live in Colorado or another place at elevation, you need to take precautions when coming to hike in this area.
The peaks are big – with many towering above 14,000 feet – and the elevation gains for each trail are another factor entirely.
Hiking at elevation can be uncomfortable and dangerous if you don’t prepare yourself and acclimate properly.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Understand high altitude hiking: All routes above 8,000 feet are considered high altitude hikes. The town of Telluride is situated at 8750 feet – so this includes all the hikes. 8,000 feet is the height your body begins to be affected by reduced air pressure, which means less oxygen to breathe.
- Understand altitude sickness: Learning to identify someone suffering from altitude sickness is essential before setting out on an excursion. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the mildest form of altitude sickness and feels similar to a hangover, including tiredness, nausea, and a headache. If someone is suffering from these symptoms, it’s necessary to get them back down to a lower elevation.
- Acclimate/ascend gradually: One of the easiest ways to avoid coming down with altitude sickness is to take your time gaining elevation. If you plan on attempting to summit a very high peak, spend time hiking mountains at lower altitudes before attempting to summit something very high.
- Fitness: While this isn’t a sure way to avoid getting altitude sickness, it helps. Do training hikes with a weighted pack at lower elevations. Perform regular cardio, including running and climbing stairs.
- Drink plenty of water: It’s essential to stay hydrated while you’re hiking and even more so while you’re hiking at elevation. Avoid alcohol, as this will only dehydrate you. Eating a healthy diet is also helpful, especially one loaded with carbohydrates (carb lovers, rejoice!)
Top 10 Telluride Hiking Trails
Sneffels Highline Trail
If you’re looking for exposure to all kinds of scenery and you want to see it all in one day, you can hike the Sneffels Highline Trail, and you would achieve your goal.
This epic trail takes you through fields of wildflowers, gorgeous alpine basins, and an aspen forest.
You will climb more than 3,000 feet to the high point on the saddle below Mt. Emma.
Though not for the inexperienced or faint of heart, it’s worth its weight in gold.
If you’re an experienced hiker, acclimatized to the elevation, and are looking for a full day of activity, then make the Sneffels Highline Trail your top priority.
Difficulty: Very Difficult/Strenuous
Distance: 13 miles
Time: 5.5-8 hours
Trail Type: Loop
Where to Start: Aspen Street at the Judd Weibe Trailhead
Hike to Bridal Veil Falls
Colorado’s largest free falling waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls, isn’t just a sight to behold — the area is full of history and photographic opportunity.
A historic power plant is located at the top of the falls, and the Bridal Veil Basin area is full of trails leading to other aesthetic destinations for those looking to extend their journey.
The Bridal Veil Falls trail ascends a jeep road and offers sweeping sights of the Telluride Valley.
A modest 1,380-foot elevation gain makes for a great warm-up for bigger hikes.
Bridal Veil Falls trail comprises mostly switchbacks, including excellent vistas for photographs and ends at a gate to the power plant.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2-2.5 hours round trip
Trail Type: Hike in, hike out
Where to Start: Pandora Mill
Lizard Head Hiking Trail
This incredibly scenic route to the base of Lizard Head Peak takes you past Trout Lake and many other scenic natural features, including Pilot Knob and Golden Horn.
If you can arrange shuttle vehicles, the best way to execute this hike is to connect to the Cross Mountain Trail and make for a nearly complete loop.
Nearly 3,000 feet in elevation gain makes for a challenging trek — but you’re rewarded with unbelievable sights along the way, highlighted by the 400-ft Lizard’s Head spire.
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The Lizard’s Head Hike is essentially a sweeping traverse of the ridge of Black Face Mountain.
Enjoy nearly four miles of alpine meadows.
Difficulty: Difficult (loop), Moderate-Difficult (in and out)
Distance: 11.7 miles (loop version), 7.6 miles (in and out)
Time: 5 hours (loop)
Trail Type: Loop option or in and out to Black Face Peak
Where to Start: From CO-145 South, travel 18.5 miles to the Lizard Head Trail Head and Parking Area
Bear Creek Falls Trail
If you’re looking for an easy trail with epic views, consider the Bear Creek Preserve Trail.
This trail could also serve as an excellent acclimatization hike.
Bikers and horseback riders often use it in addition to hikers, so you’re guaranteed not to be alone.
You will enjoy excellent views of canyon cliffs, and the waterfall at the end serves as the icing on the cake, making Bear Creek Falls one of the most popular Colorado hiking trails.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Trail Type: Hike in, hike out
Where to Start: South Pine Street
Blue Lake Trail Hike
If you’ve ever wanted to see an alpine lake above 12,000 feet in elevation, the Blue Lake trail is the way to get there.
In addition, the area is loaded with mining relics, serving as a joint historical exploit.
Your journey begins up Bridal Veil Basin past the waterfall and the mine.
It continues through fields of wildflowers until you arrive at the spectacular Blue Lake, situated at an elevation of 12,400 feet.
Blue Lake Trail offers views of waterfalls, an old tram, mining cabins, and a bunkhouse.
You begin on the switchbacks that brought you to Bridal Veil Falls and continue into the alpine wilderness.
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Distance: 6 miles
Time: Approximately four hours
Trail Type: Hike in, hike out
Where to Start: Pandora Mill, Bridal Veil Falls hike
Wasatch Hiking Trail
For scenic views of Bear Creek Canyon beyond what the Bear Creek Preserve Trail can provide you, consider continuing along Wasatch Trail.
Winding views of alpine basins, waterfalls and the remnants of winter snow deliver you onto the scenic saddle between the Bear Creek and Bridal Veil basins at an elevation exceeding 13,000 feet.
The best time to hike the Wasatch trail is in summer or autumn when you can see the wildflowers in all their splendor.
While not an exceedingly long trail, it gains more than 4,300 feet in elevation, so it’s best to be acclimatized and prepared to take it slowly while bringing along plenty of water and food.
The trail comprises a large loop around Wasatch Mountain and La Junta Basin.
Difficulty: Difficult/Strenuous
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 6-8 hours
Trail Type: Loop
Where to Start: South Pine Street, starting on the Bear Creek trail. After two miles, you’ll see the Wasatch Trailhead on your right.
Telluride Trail
In summer, if you want to check out the Telluride ski area, follow the Telluride Trail for a scenic journey on foot.
This is a beautiful beginner’s trail that serves as a ski run in the winter. Look out for wildlife — including marmots, porcupine, and deer.
The Telluride Trail is an excellent hike for those of all abilities because you can always bail at the top and take the gondola back down.
Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the quaint town of Telluride below you.
The elevation gain is less than 2,000 feet.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.4 miles one way
Time: Approximately 2 hours
Trail Type: Hike in, ride down or hike down
Where to Start: Next to the resort gondola/Lift 8
Navajo Lake Hiking Trail
If you enjoy changing sceneries and have already done a warm-up hike in the Lizard Head Wilderness area, it’s time to step up your game on the Navajo Lake Trail.
This hike offers views of the breathtaking Navajo Lake and meanders through forests, waterfalls, and wildflower-filled alpine meadows.
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The journey takes you along the broad valley formed by the West Dolores River while also providing views of three 14,000 foot peaks, including Wilson Peak, Mount Wilson, and Diente Peak.
The elevation gain of the Navajo Lake trail is about 2,400 feet.
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 9.2 miles
Time: Approximately 6 hours
Trail Type: Hike in, hike out
Where to Start: Navajo Lake Trailhead, beyond the Burro Bridge Campground
Whipple Mountain Trail
Whipple Moutain trail offers options for those who love downhill or uphill hiking — pick your poison.
There is both a Western and an Eastern trailhead.
West to East awards you with a downhill trail, while East to West will require a significant gain in elevation.
Both options offer stunning views of the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, including Mt Wilson and the La Salle mountain range in Utah.
It is not recommended to hike the Whipple Moutain trail during winter due to thick vegetation and the difficulties that snow can pose to the trailhead access.
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 14.5 miles
Time: 2-6 hours depending on the chosen direction
Trail Type: Loop
Where to Start: The “lower” trailhead is 3 miles West of Telluride driving on 145. Take a right on Last Dollar Road and just before the airport, make another right to stay on Last Dollar Road. Look for Deep Creak/Whipple Mountain trailhead parking on your right.
Lake Hope Trail Hike
The Lake Hope trail offers a combination of lavish meadows speckled with wildflowers, 13,000-foot peaks, and a spectacular alpine environment complimented by the gorgeous glacial Trout Lake and Lake Hope.
The Lizard Head Wilderness is full of wonders — for this journey, let the colorful Vermillion Peak serve as your backdrop.
Lake Hope trail is short, but the elevation gain is over 1,000 feet, serving as a respectful day hike or a warm-up for a higher summit.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Trail Type: Hike in, hike out
Where to Start: Take forest Service Road #627 (marked as Hope Lake) 2.5 miles to Hope Lake Trailhead.
Wrapping It Up…
Smaller towns like Telluride are often overlooked by the larger, bustling Colorado cities and the attraction of more significant infrastructure.
But if you’re looking for a hidden gem that’s still a resort town and remains untouched by the larger masses, go hiking in Telluride.
The access difficulties are worth every mile of the area’s scenic views.
The San Juan Mountains retain a sense of absolute wilderness that is hard to come by and offer their own sprinkling of historical remnants.
Still uncertain? Visit in July when the wildflowers are at their peak and don’t forget your camera because every step you take is a spectacular photograph just yearning to be taken!
Did I miss any of your favorite Telluride hikes? Let me know in the comments below!
I have a timeshare at the Fairmont and love doing hikes when I’m there. But I have an irrational fear of meeting up with a hungry mountain lion. Ever heard of anyone in the Telluride area coming across them?
Hi Earl and thanks for stopping by! There have been mountain lions spotted from time to time in the Telluride area but I wouldn’t let that deter you. If you do happen to encounter a mountain lion though remember the following…
1. Stay calm (easier said than done I know!) and back away slowly.
2. Whatever you do, DO NOT RUN away. This could actually trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase.
3. Don’t crouch down to avoid appearing as a four-legged creature.
4. Try to appear big and wave your arms slowly and speak loudly.
5. If it keeps coming towards you throw things at it like a rock, branch or a water bottle.
6. If that doesn’t do the trick and the mountain lion attacks you will have to harness your best fighting spirit but we hope it won’t come to that!
I hope that helps and make sure to let us know what Telluride hikes you enjoy the most!