San Juan Mountains

Get trail details, safety tips, gear recommendations, and everything you need for this epic via ferrata adventure in Telluride Colorado.

Discover the best hikes in Telluride! Explore stunning alpine lakes, waterfalls, and scenic trails perfect for a summer adventure in the San Juan Mountains.

Skip Red Mountain Pass on the Million Dollar Highway—take this off-road route for a better view of Red Mountain’s vibrant peaks and stunning scenery in Ouray, Colorado

Cornet Falls is a half mile hike located close to the town of Telluride. The beautiful, red rock waterfall is great for a quick hike

Lake Hope in the San Juan Mountains is a moderate 2.8 mile hike with 1100 ft of elevation gain. It gets steep but the vibrant blue alpine lake is worth it

This is one of the best waterfalls in Colorado near Silverton. The flat, 0.8-mile out and back trail leads to a stunning turquoise waterfall.

Navajo Lake is a less common alpine lake hike in the San Juan Mountains but this 9.5 mile out and back trail has many columbine wildflowers and a turquoise lake

If you like alpine lakes and easy peaks with no crowds, this needs to be on your summer hike list. Short hike to a Colorado 13er & blue lake

Gold Mountain is the newest via ferrata route in the San Juan Mountains of Ouray Colorado and has the second longest bridge in the US. It’s open to all levels – read on to learn more about what a via ferrata is and my experience with a fear of heights.

Blue Lakes Trail in the San Juan Mountains is a must-do for all nature loves. The moderate-level hike goes to three stunning alpine lakes but Lower Blue Lake is the most turquoise lake. This is easily one of the best bang-for-your-buck hike.