Hikes in San Juan Mountain Range

The Piedra Ice Fissures Trail is an amazing hiking route in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will expose you to a series of interesting geological features in the area. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest to visit a series of naturally occurring chasms carved into the sandstone landscape. This is an excellent family-friendly adventure to take in the natural beauty and diversity of the Colorado landscape.

The Ella Vita, Hogsback, and Slime Gulch Loop is a fun hiking route in Durango, Colorado that will take you along several different trails with views of the surrounding valley landscape. While out on the trail, you will make your way through the undulating terrain of the hills west of Durango, exploring their forested slopes while taking in the beautiful scenery of the San Juan Mountains. Hikers should take note that this is a multi-use trail that is often populated with mountain bike enthusiasts, so be sure to keep an eye out and remember to share the path.

The Quartz Lake Trail is an exceptional hiking route in the San Juan Mountains that will see you gain a large amount of elevation on the way to the shores of a scenic lake. While out hiking the trail, you will pass through gorgeous meadows and tranquil forests, climbing uphill to traverse a rugged ridge before descending towards a charming alpine lake. Be sure to start early enough in the day to enjoy some time by the lake and still leave yourself enough time for the hike back out.

The Ophir Pass to Crystal Lake Hike is a short and exhilarating adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you through some rugged terrain to reach a beautiful lake. While out hiking the trail, you will clamber your way up a steep scree slope to quickly arrive at the scenic shores of Crystal Lake set within the beautiful landscape of Ophir Pass. Be sure to wear proper hiking footwear with good support and bring a GPS in order to easily find the trailhead.

The Haflin Creek Hike is a tough excursion near Durango, Colorado that features plenty of steep terrain and beautifully scenic views. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill along a series of switchbacks through Haflin Canyon, gaining a good amount of elevation for some incredible views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains and the Animas River Valley. The route may be tough, but the stunning views are a great reward for your effort.

The V2 and Ice Lake Basin Hike is a tough climb into the San Juan Mountains that features some rugged alpine terrain and wonderfully scenic views over several lakes. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill alongside creeks and waterfalls to reach the top of V2 with stunning mountain views, before completing the return loop around the Island and Ice lakes. As it is a popular route, be sure to arrive early or on off-peak days if you are looking for some semblance of solitude along the trail.

The Bullion King Lake Road Hike is a laidback hiking adventure in the mountains that will take you uphill along an off-road vehicle trail. While out hiking this route, you will follow the rough and rugged road as it winds up the mountainside, offering picturesque views of the surrounding mountain peaks before arriving at the shores of Bullion King Lake. As this hike does follow along an off-road vehicle route, be sure to keep an eye out for passing vehicles and allow them enough room to safely maneuver.

The Sauls Creek Trail is a great family-friendly excursion near Bayfield, Colorado that will take you through some woodland terrain for views of the surrounding landscape. While out on the trail, you will cross over the banks of Sauls Creek and climb uphill through the forest to reach a ridge with wonderful views across the undulating landscape, before looping back around to the trailhead. Although it is not a challenging route, you may want to bring a GPS or trail map along for this hike, as some of the trails are not very well marked.

The Rattus Maximus, Rat Trap, and Big Cheese Loop Trail is a fun adventure near Ridgway, Colorado that will take you along a multi-use trail to explore a forested hillside. While out hiking the trail, you will walk amongst countless trees and climb uphill through some switchbacks, before looping around the hillside on the return leg. Hikers should take note that this is primarily a mountain bike trail, so be sure to keep to the side of the path and make enough room for others to safely pass.

The Uncompahgre Riverwalk Trail is a fantastic hiking route in Ridgway, Colorado that will take you through a state park for beautifully scenic views. While out hiking the trail, you will pass through the town of Ridgway and meander along the banks of the Uncompahgre River, before entering into Ridgway State Park to hike along the shores of the Ridgway Reservoir. Hikers should take note that this is a one-way trail, meaning that you will need to either make travel arrangements to be picked up at the end of the hike or double the overall distance.

The Wetterhorn Basin via West Fork Trail is a breathtaking hiking excursion in the San Juan Mountains that will take you through some rugged terrain for stunning views. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse scenic alpine meadows and tranquil forests, before climbing over a scree slope to access the Wetterhorn Basin. Hikers should take note that the road leading into the trailhead is very rough and rugged, requiring a 4x4 high-clearance vehicle to safely traverse.

The Waterdog Lake Trail is a wonderfully scenic hiking route in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will see you traverse a very steep path on the way to a beautiful lake. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way up a series of wide switchbacks through the forest and pass through several charming meadows, before following the banks of Park Creek to the endpoint of the route at Waterdog Lake. Be sure to bring plenty of water for this steep hike, as well as bug spray to protect yourself from the plentiful amount of backcountry insects.

The Crystal Lake Trail is a beautifully scenic, albeit very challenging, hiking route in Lake City, Colorado that will take you uphill for gorgeous views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. While out on the trail, you will work your way uphill through meadows and sparse aspen groves along a steep trail that offers little in the way of a reprieve from the elevation gain, before arriving at the shores of Crystal Lake. Bring plenty of water for this hike, as the route is almost entirely exposed to the sun and is unrelenting in its steepness.

The Thompson Lake Hike is an excellent adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you along a fairly short but steep route to reach a charming little lake. While out hiking the trail, you will work hard to gain elevation above Lake City, eventually arriving at the peaceful shores of Thompson Lake for a well-deserved rest. This is a great trail for those times when you want to push yourself in terms of difficulty, not trail length.

The Inspiration Point Loop Trail is a fairly steep hiking route in the town of Creede that will see you gain elevation and views overlooking the surrounding landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will leave the town behind and climb up an exposed hillside to the northeast, passing through some sparsely populated trees to enjoy beautiful views overlooking Creede and nearby mountains. Although much of the trail is easy to follow, upper portions can be a bit tricky to navigate, making a GPS ideal if you are concerned about losing your way.

The Williams Creek Camp Trail is a fantastic hiking route in Colorado that will lead you uphill through an atmospheric forest to reach an elevated meadow. While out hiking the trail, you will gain a large amount of elevation as you work your way through a sea of pine and aspen trees, before arriving at a meadow with sweeping views across the landscape. Make sure to bring bear spray and exercise all precautions while out on the trail.

The Alder Bench Trail is a fun hiking route South Fork, Colorado that features some slightly challenging terrain and scenic views of the Colorado landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through a beautiful forest filled with aspens, traversing a series of switchbacks before arriving at a meadow with nice views of nearby mountain peaks. Hikers should take note that the trailhead is located just beyond a gate next to the Alder Guard Station on FR610.

The Stone Quarry Loop Hike is a rugged excursion southeast of Del Norte, Colorado that will take you through a desert like landscape with some light tree cover. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way through undulating hills while taking in the pleasant views of the surrounding landscape. Hikers should take note that this route is popular with mountain bike enthusiasts, so make sure to share the path and allow others to safely pass.

The Lookout Mountain Trail is a fantastic adventure in Del Norte, Colorado that will take you along the slopes of the mountain for views overlooking the town. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way through some sections of terrain that are steep and others that are fairly flat, enjoying the scenic views of the surrounding landscape as you loop around the mountainside. This is a great excursion to do on the weekend with the entire family.

The Silvercreek Trail is an amazing adventure in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will lead you along a beautiful stream for stunning views of the surrounding peaks. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along the brilliant banks of Silver Creek that are the result of a natural chemical process, climbing further uphill for amazing views of Redcloud Peak. The road leading into the trailhead is a bit rugged, but normal vehicles can safely traverse it if caution is exercised.