Telluride Summer Activities

The San Juan Mountains are a beautiful place to hike during the summer. Wildflowers are at their height beginning mid-July. Year-round mountaineering, trekking, and climbing schools provide backcountry and technical skills for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.

Women's Climbing Adventures
San Juan Outdoor School
Telluride's premier source for mountain adventures, the San Juan Outdoor School offers adventures in rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, and snowshoeing. With the guidance of expert instructors and naturalists, participants in our programs gain an appreciation for rich natural and cultural history of the majestic San Juan Mountains. The San Juan Outdoor School provides the highest quality instruction in a safe and supportive learning environment and creates a nurturing and comfortable outdoor experience for people of all ages and abilities.
Phone: (888)376-9770
Email:reservations@telluride.com.


Hiking from Town
Due to Telluride's unique location, many great hikes can be started right from town. Families with young children may wish to try the San Miguel River or Bear Creek trails. Distances reported start from trailhead.

Bear Creek Canyon
This area is a 325-acre mountain canyon that has been preserved forever by the town's Telluride Land Trust. This precious parcel,with its stunning scenery and cascading waterfall is now protected from development and is preserved for the enjoyment of the public.Please help us preserve this unique site by remaining on designated trails.
Distance: 2.5 mi. one way
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Access: Trailhead starts at south end of Pine Street. Follow Bear Creek up scenic canyon to waterfall and the trailhead for strenuous Wasatch Trail.

Bridal Veil Falls
Distance: 2.2 mi. one way to top of falls
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Access: East end of Hwy. 145 where asphalt ends. Hikers continue on dirt road 1.2 miles to bottom of falls, or 2.2 miles to top. Trail to Bridal Veil Basin continues past privately owned historic building at top of falls, and from there continues on to Blue and Silver Lakes.

Cornet Falls
Distance: 1/4 mi. round-trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Access: North end of Aspen. Stay to the right and do not cross the bridge to Jud Wiebe.

Jud Wiebe Trail Distance: 2.7 mi. loop
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Access: North end of Aspen St. The trail loops above town with views of Bridal Veil and Ingram Falls. Continue to Tomboy Road and back to town.

San Miguel River Trail Distance: 2.5 mi. one way. Town Park to valley floor.
Difficulty: Easy
Access: From Town Park, the trail follows the river along the edge of town, past beaver ponds to the valley floor.


Area Hiking Trails
Hundreds of miles of hiking trails extend throughout the region.Listed is a small sampling of day hikes. For complete information andmaps, contact the Norwood Forest Ranger Station, 327-4261. Topography maps and guides are available at stores in town.

Deep Creek/Sheep Creek Distance: 12 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Off Last Dollar Rd. Takes 1/2 day. This wooded hikeends at Mill Creek trailhead.

Lake Hope Distance: 6 mi. round trip
Difficulty: Moderate but high altitude
Access: Hwy. 145 to Trout Lake. Start at Hidden Lakes Rd#627.Above timberline, Lake Hope is man-made and stores water for the Ames Power plant. Wildflowers are at their height in August.

Woods Lake Distance: 4 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Hwy. 145 to Placerville, left at Fall Creek Road,follow for 8 mi. to Woods Lake. Trailhead left of the picnic area.Extensive views of the southwestern edge of the San Juan Range. The trail becomes difficult as it continues to Navajo Lake.