Hikes in San Juan Mountain Range

Hiking the Engineer Mountain Trail is a fun, albeit challenging, adventure in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will take you through the rugged landscape just below the summit. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through the forests and meadows that make up the lower slopes of Engineer Mountain, passing just below the summit while taking in amazing views of the rugged peak and surrounding landscape. While this route doesn’t climb up to the summit of the peak, it is still an exceptionally scenic journey that is perfectly suited for those who don’t want to challenge themselves with technical terrain.

The Cross Mountain Trail is a fantastic hiking route in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will lead you uphill through the forest for views of nearby mountain peaks. While out hiking the trail, you will climb through the dense cover of the surrounding woodlands, before breaking free of the tree cover for stunning views of the rocky summit of Lizard Head. This is a great adventure if you are simply looking to get out and enjoy the mountains without attempting a challenging summit.

Hiking the Navajo Lake Trail is an amazing experience in the San Juan Mountains that will lead you uphill for some of the most beautiful alpine views in Colorado. While out on the trail, you will hike alongside the banks of the West Dolores River, climbing uphill into an alpine basin that offers stunning views of Navajo Lake and the surrounding mountains of the Lizard Head Wilderness area. While the elevation gain can be a bit tough for beginner hikers to handle, the gorgeous views are absolutely worth the effort.

The Cascade Creek East Fork Hike is a fantastic adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will lead you along a winding creek for waterfall views. While out on the trail, you will pass through a lovely woodland landscape alongside the banks of Cascade Creek, taking time to stop off at the halfway and end points of the trail for some exceptional waterfall views. Hikers should take note that sections of this trail are a bit rugged and often quite wet, making proper hiking footwear with good support a necessity.

The Priest Gulch and Highline Driveway Loop Trail is a lengthy and challenging adventure in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will lead you through some rough and rugged terrain. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through a forested gulch to reach a picturesque meadow, before looping back along a wooded ridge to the trailhead. This is a long and arduous walk, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water.

The Kendall Peak Road Hike is a challenging adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you along a rugged road for views of nearby mountain peaks. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse the backcountry road as it climbs uphill to an alpine basin that offers stunning views of Kendall Mountain and Kendall Peak. Hikers should take note that this is a multi-use trail that is popular with off-road vehicle drivers, so make sure to exercise caution and share the trail.

The Highland Mary Lake Trail is a fun family-friendly adventure near Silverton that will take you uphill for beautiful views of the San Juan Mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way uphill through forests and meadows to arrive at the serene shores of the Highland Mary Lakes. If you plan on staying overnight and camping in the area, make sure to set up your camp away from the shoreline of the lakes to reduce your impact on the area.

The Highland Mary Lake Loop Trail is a fantastic adventure near Silverton, Colorado that will take you into the San Juan Mountains for incredible views of the surrounding landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill alongside Cunningham Creek to take in the views of the Highland Mary Lakes, before climbing above the basin and looping around through meadows on the return leg. Hikers should take note that while this trail is dog-friendly, there are some rocky areas with large steps where your dogs may need assistance.

Hiking to San Luis Peak via Stewart Creek Trail is a well-maintained and challenging route that will lead you up to the summit of a fourteener in the San Juan Mountains. While out on the trail, you will make a long and gradual ascent through Stewart Gulch, before the final push up to the summit of San Luis for incredible views of the surrounding landscape. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, including moose that are often spotted in the area!

The Big Lake Trail is a fantastic hiking route in the San Juan Mountains that will take you through some steep terrain to reach a lake. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through a beautifully serene stretch of forest and climb up a steep slope to arrive at the shores of scenic Big Lake. Although the trail is quite steep, this route is the perfect challenge for beginner hikers or families with kids.

Hiking to Potato Lake via Spud Lake Trail is a great little adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will lead you through the forest to reach the shores of a charming lake. While out on the trail, you will meander through the forest and gain a small amount of elevation as you climb uphill to Potato Lake, where you will then complete a quick loop around the water’s edge. Hikers should take note that the road leading up to the trailhead is fairly rough and rugged, requiring a 4x4 high clearance vehicle to traverse.

The hike to Sunlight Peak via Needle Creek Trail is a challenging adventure in Colorado that will take you up to the summit of a fourteener and should only be attempted by experienced climbers. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along the banks of Needle Creek as it cuts through the Chicago Basin, climbing uphill through the rugged terrain of the mountains before making the final ascent of Sunlight Peak. Hikers should take note that in order to reach the trailhead, you will need to take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and get off at the Needleton Flagstop.

The Haviland Lake Trail is a laidback adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you along the forested hillside for views of the surrounding mountains. While out on the trail, you will leave the shores of Haviland Lake behind and enter into the forest, climbing uphill for views of the surrounding landscape, before looping around the woodland terrain on the return leg. Hikers should take note that the route along this trail is not very well marked, so make sure to bring a GPS if you want to ensure that you stay on the right track.

Hiking the Highline Trail to Taylor Lake is a spectacular adventure in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will lead you to a charming lake. While out on the trail, you will make your way through a beautifully scenic meadow with gorgeous views of the surrounding alpine landscape, before arriving at the peaceful shores of Taylor Lake. Hikers should take note that the road leading into the trailhead is rough and rugged, requiring a 4x4 high clearance vehicle to safely traverse.

Hiking the Karni Mata Loop Trail is a fun experience on the edge of Ridgway State Park that will lead you uphill for views of the surrounding landscape. While out on the trail, you will meander through the forest along a lollipop trail, climbing up and looping around the forest for some amazing views that look out across nearby mountain peaks. Hikers should take note that this is a multi-use trail that is shared with mountain bikers, so make sure to keep an eye out for passing traffic and stay off to the side of the path.

The Dry Fork Loop Trail is a great intermediate length hiking route near Durango, Colorado that features a serene woodland landscape and scenic views. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through a beautiful meadow, before looping around the forest to reach the viewpoint known as Gudy’s Rest. This is a fantastic adventure that should be explored if you find yourself in Durango.

The American Basin Trail is a quick, albeit fairly steep, hiking route in Colorado that will lead you through the badsin for views of the surrounding mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill to the south along COunty Road 12, while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including American Peak and Jones Mountain to the south. Hikers should take note that the road into the trailhead is very rugged and will require a 4x4 off-road vehicle to safely traverse.

The Animas River Trail is an awesome hiking route in Durango, Colorado that will take you through the town along the banks of the Animas River. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along the winding river bank and cross over the water several times, as you take in the views of the city and surrounding landscape enroute to the turnaround point at Dallabetta Park. Hikers should take note that the terrain along this route is laidback and the trail is wheelchair friendly, making this an ideal hike for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

The Soaring Hawks Hike is a fairly quick and easy adventure in Durango, Colorado that will take you along the forested slopes of Animas City Mountain for views of the surrounding area. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill past several large rocks that are the result of the mountain crumbling, before taking in the stunning views of the surrounding area and looping around through the forest. Hikers should exercise caution and keep to the side of the trail, as this route is also used by mountain bike enthusiasts.

The Vallecito Creek Trail is a long and fairly easy-going hiking route in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will produce some beautiful views of the surrounding area. While out on the trail, you will hike through a wooded gulch alongside Vallecito Creek, enjoying the views of the surrounding mountain peaks as you work your way through the tree cover. Those looking for a quicker hike can shorten their route by turning back at the bridge, rather than continuing through the gulch.