Durango is a beautiful little historic town nestled in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. It offers an abundance of outdoor activities, making it the perfect place to go have an adventure in nature. One of the best things to do when visiting Durango? Set out on foot and discover the best hikes near Durango!
With its beautiful scenery, rich history, and diverse terrain, there are plenty of unique and interesting hiking options in the area. There are trails for all levels of hikers, meaning you will absolutely find something to suit your needs.
Not sure how to find an awesome hike? Here are some of the best hikes near Durango, CO.
RVs For Rent Near Durango
Where to Stay
First, let’s talk about where to stay. You will of course need someplace awesome to rest after each long day of hiking the best trails in Durango. This is where Outdoorsy Durango comes into play. We offer everything you need for the ideal luxury camping experience while still putting you right in the middle of the beautiful natural scenery offered by Colorado.
You can choose to bring your own RV and park in one of our full-hookup campsites, rent an RV and have it delivered to the campground (or bring it yourself), or relax in one of our luxury camping tents. There’s something for everyone!
Must-Have Hiking Gear
Before you hit the trail, be sure you’re stocked up on a hiking checklist like this:
Animas Mountain Trail
The Animas Mountain Trail is a local favorite, and for good reason. The path offers breathtaking views of the Animas River Valley as well as the surrounding San Juan Mountains. These gorgeous views are picture-perfect, so you will definitely want to make sure to bring a camera along on this gorgeous hike!
Wondering what to expect in terms of difficulty? Well, Animas Mountain Trail is a 6-mile loop with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet. It is rated as a moderate hike, and we have to agree with that rating, as you will want to be somewhat physically fit in order to tackle it. You will want to allow at least 3.5 hours to complete the hike, but may need more time depending on how often you stop to rest.
One of the best things about this particular trail is that the trailhead is located just a few minutes from downtown Durango, making it easily accessible.
Engineer Mountain Trail
Looking for something a little more challenging? Engineer Mountain Trail is a strenuous hike that passes by beautiful aspens, pine groves, and open meadows, and gives you an awesome view of Engineer Mountain. Additionally, the stunning views from the trail’s summit absolutely make your efforts well worthwhile.
As mentioned, this trail is a lot of work and is not recommended for beginners. In total, the hike is around 13.1 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of just over 3,000 feet. It’s located about 20 miles north of Durango, near the town of Silverton, so be sure to account for drive time when deciding how much time to allow.
You’ll also want to watch out for mountain bikers along the trail, as this is a popular trail for biking as well as hiking.
Spud Lake Trail
Sometimes you just need a short and sweet hike to do with the kids. Spud Lake Trail is the perfect trail for those times.
At about 3 miles in length, this is a relatively easy hike that’s suitable for families or those looking for a shorter hike. It takes you along a rocky path through the trees and meadows to Potato Lake, a beautiful body of water that is surrounded by majestic mountains. If you visit during the summer, be sure to bring swimming gear and don’t forget your goggles so you can check out the wildlife in the lake!
The trailhead is located about 15 miles northeast of Durango, and the final mile of road leading to the trail really should be driven with a high-clearance vehicle. That said, it’s totally possible to park a low-clearance vehicle before you reach the actual trailhead and hike along the road for that last mile.
Highland Mary Lake Trail
One of the best trails in Durango, CO, Highland Mary Lake Trail is simply wonderful. This is a scenic hike that takes you through alpine meadows and past several waterfalls and lakes. You’ll cross the water several times, so be prepared for wet feet!
The trailhead is located about 25 miles north of Durango near the town of Molas Pass, but the drive is lovely and you won’t regret it. The hike itself is rated as moderate and does include a few more technical spots, but is likely doable by most people who are in decent shape, including older kids.
To see the entire trail, you will need to hike for about 5 miles out and back, with an elevation gain of 1,400 feet.
Colorado Trail
Lastly, we must mention the Colorado Trail. This is a 500-mile hiking trail that spans from Denver to Durango. It passes through some of the most scenic areas of the state, including the San Juan Mountains.
Obviously, most people don’t hike the whole 500 miles that this trail has to offer. That said, there are many access points to the trail near Durango, making it easy to hike a section of the trail. We recommend Colorado Trail: Segment 28, a nearly 20-mile moderately challenging section that includes babbling streams, beautiful views, and plenty of wildflowers.
As you can see, Durango offers some of the best hiking in Colorado. Whether you’re looking for a strenuous hike, a leisurely stroll, or something in between, Durango has something to offer and will give you plenty of beautiful things to look at along the way.
