How long is the San Juan Skyway: Colorado's High Country Loop route?

This route takes 7 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Durango to Durango in Colorado, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is Late May to October: aspen gold late September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip, Culture.

San Juan Skyway: Colorado's High Country Loop

Loading…

The route · 6 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Durango

2 nights

The route's biggest hub and natural start, an 1880s railroad town at the foot of the San Juans. Spend two nights: ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge steam railroad, walk historic Main Avenue, and soak at nearby Trimble hot springs before the high passes begin.The route's biggest hub and natural start, an 1880s railroad town at the foot of the San Juans. Spend two nights: ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge steam railroad, walk historic Main Avenue, and soak at nearby Trimble hot springs before the high passes begin.

Recommendations

1h 8m · 81 km drive to Silverton

Silverton

1 night

A perfectly preserved 1880s mining town at 9,318 ft, reached over Coal Bank and Molas passes. A National Historic Landmark District with a dirt-street main drag: tour the Old Hundred Gold Mine, see the Mayflower Mill, and overnight before the Million Dollar Highway north.A perfectly preserved 1880s mining town at 9,318 ft, reached over Coal Bank and Molas passes. A National Historic Landmark District with a dirt-street main drag: tour the Old Hundred Gold Mine, see the Mayflower Mill, and overnight before the Million Dollar Highway north.

Recommendations

25m · 30 km drive to Ouray

Ouray

1 night

Wedged in a box canyon and known as the Switzerland of America. Walk to Box Canyon Falls, soak in the town hot springs pool, or take a guided Jeep tour up Yankee Boy Basin. The drive in from Silverton is the famous Million Dollar Highway over Red Mountain Pass.Wedged in a box canyon and known as the Switzerland of America. Walk to Box Canyon Falls, soak in the town hot springs pool, or take a guided Jeep tour up Yankee Boy Basin. The drive in from Silverton is the famous Million Dollar Highway over Red Mountain Pass.

Recommendations

17m · 20 km drive to Telluride

Telluride

2 nights

A former mining camp turned festival town at the head of a dramatic box canyon. Ride the free gondola to Mountain Village, hike toward 365 ft Bridal Veil Falls, and wander the historic district. Two nights leaves room for a festival, a hike, or a slow day at altitude.A former mining camp turned festival town at the head of a dramatic box canyon. Ride the free gondola to Mountain Village, hike toward 365 ft Bridal Veil Falls, and wander the historic district. Two nights leaves room for a festival, a hike, or a slow day at altitude.

Recommendations

1h 45m · 126 km drive to Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

1 night

The route's cultural high point: a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Take a ranger-led tour into Cliff Palace or Balcony House, drive the Mesa Top Loop, and base in nearby Cortez or Mancos. Reached over Lizard Head Pass from Telluride.The route's cultural high point: a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Take a ranger-led tour into Cliff Palace or Balcony House, drive the Mesa Top Loop, and base in nearby Cortez or Mancos. Reached over Lizard Head Pass from Telluride.

Recommendations

On the way

Durango
56m · 67 km
Close the loop with the easy run east on US-160 from Mesa Verde back to Durango, through Mancos and along the Animas valley. Drop the car, or spend a final night in town before onward travel.Close the loop with the easy run east on US-160 from Mesa Verde back to Durango, through Mancos and along the Animas valley. Drop the car, or spend a final night in town before onward travel.
Recommendations

San Juan Skyway: Colorado's High Country Loop