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    Hikes/United States/Colorado/San Juan Mountain Range

    Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Moderate
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    3.5-5h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    14.5 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    381 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
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    The Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail is a great hiking route in Durango, Colorado that features some challenging sections of terrain and scenic views of the surrounding landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will loop around the lightly-forested terrain surrounding Twin Buttes and take in views of nearby Perins Peak, before completing the final leg of the hike back into the trailhead. As this trail is primarily utilized by mountain bike enthusiasts, hikers should try and stick to the right side of the path in order to leave room for them to safely pass by.

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    Route Description for Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail

    If you are after a bit of a longer hiking route in the Durango area that features some tough terrain and beautiful views of the San Juan Mountains, the Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail is a great option to explore the landscape to the west of the city.

    Setting out from the parking lot, you will head to the north and begin climbing through the forested landscape towards Twin Buttes. As you gain elevation and skirt around the slope of the mountain, you will enjoy some scenic views of Perins Peak to the northeast, before turning back to the south.

    Here, you will head downhill along the slopes of Twin Buttes until you arrive at the winding banks of Lightner Creek. Following along the water’s edge to the southeast, you will eventually arrive back at the parking lot where you began your adventure.

    Getting to the Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail Trailhead

    The trailhead for the Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail can be found at the Twin Buttes MTB Trail Parking Area along US-160.

    Route Information

    • Backcountry Campground

      No

    • When to do

      April-October

    • Pets allowed

      Yes - On Leash

    • Family friendly

      Older Children only

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      Moderate

    • Route Type

      Circuit

    Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail Elevation Graph

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    Twin Buttes and Lightner Creek Loop Trail Reviews

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