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 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 a short three miles from Durango city limits, allowing easy access from town. For more information about the upper-elevation trails, see Colorado Trail (High Country).

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 – a rugged singletrack from Champion Venture Road (near Kennebec Pass) to the town of Durango.

Colorado Trail at Junction Creek

The Colorado Trail at Junction Creek is one of the best trails in the Durango area, great for both hiking and biking, and perfect for most skill levels. The trail is lovely in all seasons, with access to picturesque Junction Creek and its shallow pools in the summer; surrounding canopies of golden leaves in the fall; and snowshoeing and fat biking in the winter.

From the trailhead, you’ll start out on a nice, flat trail that follows Junction Creek. When you reach the bridge, you will have gone about 2.5 miles (if you are a beginner, the bridge is a good goal). After this, the trail begins some steep switchbacks and eventually winds its way up to Gudy’s Rest, which has a sitting spot and nice view of Durango.

Colorado Trail from High Point to Gudy’s

After Gudy’s Rest (along the Colorado Trail), you can turn left to head down Hoffheins and loop back around from Dry Fork, back to the Colorado Trail. Or continue straight and make it to High Point and come on back down. A roundtrip ride to High Point on a bike is 4-5 hours. Gudy’s Rest can be accessed from the Junction Creek Trailhead or Dry Fork.