fbpx
single-t2k_trails.php

Colorado Trail System (High Country) BikingHiking

Difficulty
Condition
Poor
Trail Length
500 miles
Distance from Durango
43 miles
Directions
Gain
89354 ft
Rating
0 Loves (log in or register to love this trail!)

Colorado Trail System (High Country)

Biking, Hiking
Durango to TH

43 Miles

Gain

89354 Feet

Condition

Poor

Trail Length

500 Miles


The iconic Colorado Trail stretches 500 miles from Denver to its terminus in Durango and is one of the state’s great recreational assets. The trail travels at high elevations through the spectacular Rocky Mountains and traverses craggy peaks, alpine lakes, and creeks amongst diverse ecosystems. The trail’s thru travelers experience six wilderness areas, pass through eight mountain ranges and top out at 13,271 feet, just above Coney Summit.

The average elevation of the Colorado Trail is over 10,300 feet and users traveling from Denver to Durango will clock 89,354 feet of elevation gain. The trail ends only three short miles from Durango’s city limits, allowing easy access from town. The Colorado Trail near Silverton has popular high elevation routes for mountain biking and hiking. Road access to the trail in this section is remote and 4WD, but many long loops are possible.

History

Maintenance of Colorado’s premier long-distance trail is undertaken by teams of volunteers who caretake sections. Durango Trails 2000 adopts the longest section in the state – rugged singletrack from Champion Venture Road (near Kennebec Pass) to the town of Durango. To learn more about the Colorado Trail or the primary entity responsible for its upkeep, visit the Colorado Trail Foundation.

Map & Directions

Map Coordinates: 37.331364, -107.902931

Where's the Trailhead?

dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

Molas Pass Parking Lot

To access the Colorado Trail (High Country), take Highway 550 North from Durango for 42 miles. Turn right at Molas Lake and park in the Molas Lake Parking Lot.

To access the Colorado Trail (Lower), park at the Junction Creek Parking Lot.

Trailwork

help build our trails!

Thursday, September 12 Trailwork

Join us for a weekday trailwork party at [location TBD]. Thank you for volunteering with Trails 2000 at our trailwork party on Thursday, September 12  from 4:30 to 7:30pm!

Volunteer!

Love the Trails Like a Local

Say Hi

Greet all trail users by saying hi when passing on the trail.

Announce Yourself

Say "on your left" as approaching other trail users from behind.

Pick Up After Yourself

Pick up after yourself and your pet. Please don’t litter.

Keep Dogs on a Leash

Keep your dogs on a leash or leave them at home. Off-leash dogs are not allowed on City Open Space and are the number one source of trail conflict.

Stay on the Trail

Help protect natural areas and habitats by staying on established trails. Creating "social trails", cutting switchbacks, or ignoring trail closures leads to greater erosion and impacts on ecosystems.

Give Uphill Traffic the
Right of Way

Uphill traffic always has the right of way. Downhill traffic must be in control, especially around blind corners, to avoid coming in contact with uphill traffic.

Check Conditions

Stay up to date by checking the Trail Conditions report and following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Give Back

Donate to Durango Trails or volunteer for trailwork to help give back to the trails you love.

Similar Trails

other trails you may enjoy

Trip Reports and Recent Photos

Colorado Trail at Molas Pass

Date Visited:

6/20/20

Submitted by: Dan Brown

Support the trails that connect you to the outdoors

Trails are the cornerstone of our community and the gateway to the outdoors.

Help support our work so you can continue to connect to the outdoors by giving to Durango Trails!