Hikes in San Juan Mountain Range

The Lime Mesa to Ruby Lake Hike is a long and difficult route in the San Juan Mountains that will take you through some rugged terrain to reach a series of charming lakes. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through forests and over the rough terrain of Lime Mesa, before traversing alpine meadows on the way into the Ruby and Emeralds lakes. Hikers should take note that the road leading into the trailhead is fairly rugged/remote and will require a 4x4 vehicle to access.

The Silver Falls Hike is an amazingly scenic route in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will take you uphill to visit a cascading waterfall. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way uphill through the forest alongside Waterfall Creek, before arriving at the majestic viewpoint of Silver Falls. The road leading into the trailhead is fairly rough and will require a high clearance 4x4 vehicle to safely traverse.

The Four Mile Creek and Anderson Trail Loop is a challenging route north of Pagosa Springs that will take you into the San Juan Mountains to view several waterfalls. While out hiking the trail, you will pass through stunning forests along the banks of Four Mile Creek and take in the views of the Lower and Upper Four Mile Creek Falls, before visiting Four Mile Lake and looping around through the mountains along the Anderson Trail. Hikers should be aware that this hike passes through bear country, so make sure to bring bear spray and follow all best bear safety practices while out on the trail.

The Smelter Mountain Trail is a stunning hike in the San Juan Mountains that offers amazing views overlooking Durango. While out hiking the trail, you will quickly gain elevation up the steep slope of the mountainside, before meeting up with a road that will take you to the summit for views over the town. While the best time to access this trail is during the May-October window, it can also be hiked in the winter, albeit with very reduced opening hours.

The West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike is a short but difficult adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you up a steep trail for stunning views of the surrounding alpine landscape. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through a dense stretch of forest, before traversing a rocky ridgeline and doing some light scrambling on the way to the summit. Although the trailhead is fairly remote, the road itself is in great shape and does not require a 4x4 high clearance vehicle, making it accessible to a wide variety of hikers.

The Centennial Peak Hike is a physically challenging adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will lead you up to the summit of a rugged and rocky peak. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest to reach Sharkstooth Pass, before making a steep and rocky ascent of Centennial Peak for incredible views. Hikers should take note that the road leading into the trailhead is a rugged dirt road that will require a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance to safely traverse.

The Wright Lake Hike is a short adventure in Colorado that will lead you up to a charming alpine lake set in the San Juan Mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along a rugged off-road vehicle trail that climbs uphill through the alpine on the way to Wright Lake, where you will have some nice views of the water and surrounding mountains. As the road leading up to the trailhead is quite rugged, you will need a 4x4 high clearance vehicle to reach it. Alternatively, you can park a bit further down the road and tack on the extra distance to your hike.

The Up and Over Trail is an amazing hiking route in Creede, Colorado that will provide casual hikers with a good amount of exercise and scenic views across the valley. While out hiking the trail, you will leave the town behind and climb uphill over a forested hillside, where you will come to a wonderful lookout that is a great spot to spot for a mid-walk rest. The trailhead can be a bit tricky to locate, but it can be found at the very end of E 7th Street, near the broken down cars.

The Church Campo Trail is an easy-going hike near Durango Colorado that features waterfall views and is perfect for a fun family outing. While out hiking the trail, you will hike through open terrain and brush covered hills, before arriving at the site of Falls Creek Falls for some lovely views of the cascading water. Hikers should take note that the waterfall is located on private property, so be sure to stick to the marked pathways and respect the land.

The Perins Peak Hike is a fantastic adventure in Durango that climbs up a rugged mountain for exceptional views overlooking Durango and the surrounding landscape. Hikers should take note that this route is closed periodically for habitat protection purposes. You can check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Website for information on trail closures. You will also need a valid hunting or fishing license in order to enter the Perins Wilderness Area, or else you will be fined.

The Crater Lake Trail is a fantastic long-distance hiking route in Colorado that will take you uphill through the woodland landscape to reach a charming lake. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through a vast forest to the southwest, climbing uphill and enjoying intermittent views of the Surrounding San Juan Mountains, before arriving at the shores of Crater Lake beneath the looming summit of Twilight Peak. This is a great hike to turn into a multi-day backpacking adventure with an overnight stay at Crater Lake.

The Lake Eileen Trail is a relatively short and steep hiking route near Vallecito that will lead you uphill to a small lake set in the San Juan Mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will climb sharply uphill along a route through the forest, before arriving at the tranquil shores of Lake Eileen. Be careful when exploring the landscape around the lake, as the terrain is fairly boggy.

The Windy Pass Trail is a great excursion near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that will take you uphill through the forest to reach a scenic viewpoint. While out on the trail, you will gain a fair amount of elevation as you climb through the woodland terrain, before eventually experiencing some beautiful views over the San Juan Mountains from Windy pass. Hikers should take note that there are often downed trees along the trail, so you might need to do a bit of climbing/ducking in order to continue on your hike.

The Cutler Creek Trail is a pleasant hiking route in Colorado that will take into the San Juan Mountains along a winding creek bank. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill alongside Cutler Creek, enjoying the views of the surrounding forests and mountains, before making the return journey out again. As the road leading into the trailhead is very rough and rocky, you will need a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance to safely reach it.

The Lobo Overlook Hike is a fantastic adventure in Colorado that offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape and is suitable for the entire family. While out on the trail, you will take in some spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains from the Lobo Overlook, before hiking along an elevated position through meadows and stretches of woodland. This is an excellent trail if you are simply looking to get outside and experience the beautiful Colorado scenery.

Hiking the Beaver Mountain Trail is a fun experience in Colorado that will take you uphill for a short adventure with mountain views. While out on the trail, you will work your way up through the forests and open meadows, where you will enjoy sweeping views of the undulating landscape. While this route is suitable for families, there is a small amount of elevation gain that will need to be accounted for.

The Alberta Peak Hike is a wonderful excursion in the San Juan Mountains that will take you uphill to experience some beautifully scenic views of nearby peaks. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way into the mountainous terrain above the Wolf Creek Ski Area to experience the spectacular alpine scenery of Colorado. Although there is a small amount of rugged terrain on this hike, it is still a great adventure that the family will be able to enjoy.

The Molas Lake to Animas River Hike is a great outdoor adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you through a variety of terrain with scenic mountain views. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through meadows and forests as you descend alongside Molas Creek, eventually arriving at the peaceful banks of the Animas River. Hikers should make sure to bring bear spray and exercise all precautions along the trail, as bears are sometimes spotted in the area.

The Coyote Hill Loop Trail is an excellent walking route near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that features some lovely views and laidback terrain. While out hiking the trail, you will meander through a mixture of open meadows and lightly forested terrain, while taking in the views of the surrounding landscape. The easy-going nature of this hike and close proximity to Pagosa Springs makes it ideal for a fun family adventure on the weekend.

The Animas Overlook Trail is a short and sweet hiking route in the San Juan Mountains that will produce some gorgeous views overlooking the surrounding landscape. While out on the trail, you will meander along a lightly forested path that offers an amazing sightline across the Animas River, Animas Mountain, and the town of Durango. Parking at the trailhead can fill up rather quickly, so you might want to arrive early or at off peak times to easily secure a parking space.