fbpx
single-t2k_trails.php

Galloping Goose Trail BikingHiking

Difficulty
Condition
Fair
Trail Length
19 miles
Distance from Durango
107 miles
Directions
Gain
577 ft
Rating
0 Loves (log in or register to love this trail!)

Galloping Goose Trail

Biking, Hiking
Durango to TH

107 Miles

Gain

577 Feet

Condition

Fair

Trail Length

19 Miles

Part of Telluride area trails.

This gently graded, primarily non-technical trail follows an old narrow-gauge rail line for roughly 19 miles from the 10,222-foot Lizard Head Pass back toward the town of Telluride. Several options for rides exist: if you plan to ride the trail end to end and want a relatively easy downhill cruise, start at Lizard Head Pass and ride south. For a gradual but relentless climb, start outside Telluride and ride north. For a shorter ride (6 miles) with a little of both, do an out-and-back from town to the Ilium Trailhead.

Starting from Lizard Head, you’ll begin near the shimmering Trout Lake, surrounded by stunning 14,000 peaks. The trail winds its way through mixed forest, paralleling (and occasionally crossing underneath) the highway, and along the edges of ridges overlooking surrounding valleys and peaks. There are a few short, steep technical sections and one four-mile stretch of dirt road between Sunshine Mesa and Ilium Trailhead, but otherwise, enjoy relatively smooth single- or doubletrack the entire way.

Map & Directions

Map Coordinates: 37.9472, -107.87828

Where's the Trailhead?

dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

Galloping Goose Trailhead Parking

From Telluride: Travel west on State Highway 145 for approximately 3 miles. Turn south at the first highway intersection onto Highway 145 south. Parking is available on the east side of Hwy 145. Cross the highway and follow Society Drive 1/4 mile to San Miguel River Drive. Take a right on San Miguel River Drive. About 100 yards beyond the bus stop look for a dirt road that drops north toward the San Miguel River. This is the northern end of the Galloping Goose Trail.

Trailwork

help build our trails!

No upcoming trailwork events are currently scheduled.

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!