Durango, Colorado
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Hiking in Durango

Some hiking trail suggestions are listed below:

GOULDING CREEK TRAIL is especially nice in September and early October when the aspen groves are shimmering gold. It's a moderately difficult, 6-mile round-trip hike that climbs above Hermosa Cliffs near Tamarron Resort. Three miles up the trail is a spot that offers a view into the secluded Hermosa Creek Roadless Area, one of the best elk summering grounds in Southwest Colorado.
Location: The trail begins about 17 miles north of Durango on the west side of Highway 550, mile north of Tamarron Resort's entrance.

ANIMAS MOUNTAIN is a 5-mile, round-trip great any time of the year and takes between 3-4 hours to complete. During winter months, November thru May, most of the upper elevations are deeply covered with snow. When this occurs, elk and deer descend to this level and are frequently sighted. Views of the Animas Valley and River are a beautiful sight on this hike. Chipmunks, squirrels and a variety of jays also inhabit this mountain. Hikers should use caution, as this trail is heavily used by hikers, bikers and people on horseback. Location: From downtown Durango, make a left on 32nd Street (west of Main Avenue) to its end on W. 4th Avenue. Turn right and travel about 2 blocks to the end of the street where parking is available.

RAIDER RIDGE OVERLOOK is an easy 1-mile hike that offers a great view of the Fort Lewis College campus and Durango. Parts of the La Plata Mountains can also be seen on this hike. Wildlife sightings include deer, squirrels, chipmunks and a variety of birds, year-round. During the winter months, elk can be frequently spotted. This hike also continues east to County Road 234, which makes a longer (about 10 miles) and uphill hike.
Location: Follow 8th Avenue, off of College Drive, to 3rd Street and go one block east to its end. The trailhead begins here.

ANIMAS VIEW OVERLOOK TRAIL is trail an easy .6-mile journey that can be treated as a half or full-day hike. It is a short but pleasurable trail that tells of the forces of nature that formed this area of Colorado. The trail, which is fun and educational, is open May thru October. Along the hike, signposts provide geological and ecological information about the trail. This trail is also the only one in the Durango area which is wheelchair accessible. The hike leads to the San Juan Mountain Overlook, which provides a beautiful view of the Animas Valley. There are also plenty of signs of wildlife along this trail. Squirrels, deer and a variety of birds can be seen on this hike.
Location: From Durango, head north on Main Avenue to 25th Street. Make a left turn on 25th Street (also called Junction Creek Road) and proceed about three miles past the forest boundary sign. Continue on the dirt road past Junction Creek Campground, at milepost 7. On the right, you'll see a parking lot with restrooms and the trailhead.

MOUNTAIN VIEW CREST offers spectacular views of Pigeon Peak, Turret Peak and Chicago Basin, all located within the Weminuche Wilderness area. To reach these classic viewing areas, it's necessary to plan a full day hike (9-10-miles, round-trip.) The hike is moderately difficult and rises to 12,998 feet.
Location: From downtown Durango, head north on Main Avenue to 32nd Street and turn right. Follow the road until you reach East Animas Road (County Road 250), turn left and proceed 9 miles to Missionary Ridge Road. Take a right an travel 19 miles to Henderson Lake Road and turn right. Follow it 4 miles to the wilderness boundary and park your car. The last 4 miles may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. From the wilderness boundary, hike north along the east side of Lima Mesa past Silver Lake and up to the summit of Mountain View Crest.

POTATO (SPUD) LAKE TRAIL is an easy day hike or overnight camp is great for children, offering fishing and picnic spots and plenty of places to camp. The lily pond across from the trailhead provides and intriguing and valuable lesson about lake ecology, while the 2-mile round-trip hike, climbing from 9,360 feet to 9,800 feet, provides plenty of interesting diversions. Beaver ponds exist along this journey and children have the chance to feel the toothmarks in Aspen stumps. When reaching the trout-filled lake, the trail may be followed in either direction. Children may explore the banks and find strawberries and raspberries. Local campsites are available and no camping permits are required. Potato Hill (also called Spud Mountain) is visible from the trail, as well as Engineer Mountain and Graysill Peak and Grizzly Peak.

MISSIONARY RIDGE is a good half-day, advanced hike through deep woods, Haflin Canyon takes you up from the Animas Valley through nearly 3,000 feet of ascent, almost always through trees. The hike also illustrates different climatic zones and associated forestation, staring among the pinion, junipers and oak brush, reaching a level of Ponderosa Pine, and traveling through the quaking Aspen before reaching spruce and fir forests. This 6.4-mile hike (round-trip) starts at 6,620 feet and climbs to 9,400 feet, beginning near Haflin Creek. This trail rises above the creek, crosses and reached to top of the ridge above the stream source for a good view of the river valley below.
Location: From Durango, head east on 32nd Street and travel to the end, turning left on County Road 250. After just over 5 miles of travel, you'll see a sign (on the east side of the road) for Haflin Creek.

COLORADO TRAIL/JUNCTION CREEK offers an excellent chance to explore part of the 469-mile Colorado Trail. Children have the perfect opportunity to explore the woods and search for signs of wildlife along this spruce-covered trail. The trail follows Junction Creek and provides beautiful views in all directions. Hikers should be careful on this path because it is a very popular, multi-use trail.
Location: From Durango, head north on Main Avenue, and turn left onto 25th Street, also called Junction Creek Road. Travel on Junction Creek Road for about 3 miles to where it enters the San Juan National Forest. A parking area is located on the left, near the trailhead.

SANTA RITA PARK TRAIL is a very enjoyable paved trail great for all family members. The path runs along the Animas River, beginning at the Durango Visitor Center. The trail is a quick and easy 3-mile walk that can be followed by relaxing in the park while the kids have fun at the playground.
Location: Take Highway 550 south to the Durango Visitor Center, at Santa Rita Park (formerly called Gateway Park.) The trail can be taken to the east, leading to the Durango Mall, or west, past the DoubleTree Hotel.

HERMOSA CREEK TRAIL offers beautiful scenery of pine, spruce and wildflowers. Creeks follow parts of the trail and provide children with an excellent opportunity to view creek life. Possible wildlife sightings include deer, squirrels, birds and elk. Hermosa Creek Trail is one of the heavily used trails in Southwestern Colorado. It is also considered one of the easiest because there are no major changes in altitude. This is also a multi-use trail, so use caution when hiking.
Location: Take Highway 550 north of Durango to Hermosa. Turn left and travel west until you meet County Road 203. Turn north and proceed about five miles to where the road ends and the trail begins. Parking is available here.

LION'S DEN TRAIL is a hike which children will find very enjoyable. As will all trails in the area, there is a chance of wildlife sightings. This path is a multi-use trail, so hikers should use caution since the trail is also used by bikers. The trail is located across from Fort Lewis College Recreation Complex, complete with a playground, covered picnic areas, restrooms and softball fields.
Location: From Durango, follow E. 3rd Avenue northeast to merge with Florida Road. Continue 1.7 miles, turning right on College Drive. Follow uphill for 1 mile and take the 2nd right west onto Rim Drive. Follow for mile to the edge of the mesa. Turn left into the first dirt parking lot on your right. Or turn right and follow Rim Drive north to Lion's Den, where off-road parking is available on the left.

CENTENNIAL NATURE TRAIL at Fort Lewis is a mile trail that connects Fort Lewis College and Durango. It offers a beautiful view of Durango an up-close look at nature. The trail begins at the south edge of the college, near the chapel and descends 300 feet. After a series of turns, the hike comes to an end at E. 10th Street and 6th Avenue.
Location: From Durango, follow North College Drive, or 8th Avenue, to Rim Drive. Parking is available across from the chapel. This is the downhill version of the nature trail hike.

DRY FORK LOOP offers views of the La Plata Mountains and meets up with the Colorado Trail. Hikers must be careful on this path because it is a very popular, multi-use trail.
Location: From Durango, head west on Highway 160 and turn north on Lightner Creek Road (County Road 207). Follow this road for 1 mile, veering right onto Dry Fork Road (CR 208). This gravel road enters the Perins Peak Wildlife Area. Go 2 miles, taking a right at the fork. Continue 1 mile to the trailhead, parking on the left. Follow the single-track trail up 1 mile to the intersection of Dry Fork and Hoffheins Connection trails. Make a clock-wise loop by following the Dry Fork Trail to the left. Continue up 3 miles, until you meet the Colorado Trail. Turn right onto the Colorado Trail and continue for another 3 miles, looking for Hoffheins Connection on the right. For a panoramic view, continue another 300 yards to Gudy's Rest. Descend the Hoffheins Connection to the Dry Fork Trail. Angle left and continue down to your starting point.

PASS CREEK TRAIL climbs up moderate switchbacks and then gradually climbs up to the base of Engineer Mountain. Much of it falls on the heavily timbered northern aspect of the mountain, and patches of snow may linger in mid-summer. Toward the top, the trail breaks out into beautiful alpine meadows at the base of the peak, offering sweeping views of the Needles Mountains and Animas Valley.
Location: From Durango, drive 35 miles north on Highway 550. Turn left into a graveled parking area at Coalbank Pass. The trailhead starts here. Parking is also available on the left side of the highway before the trailhead.