Hikes and rides
Jud Wiebe Trail
The classic short hike from town, about 3.1 miles with 1,213 feet of gain. Start at the north end of Aspen Street or Oak Street and walk it in either direction.
- Best for:
- A big view on a short morning
More infoChecked November 2026
Bear Creek Preserve Trail
A canyon walk from the bottom of South Pine Street to a waterfall view, about 5 miles round trip with roughly 1,050 feet of gain.
- Best for:
- A waterfall hike you can start on foot from town
More infoChecked November 2026
Bridal Veil Falls
Visit Telluride calls this 365-foot drop the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. The trail to the base is about 1.1 miles each way with 859 feet of gain, hikers only, with dogs on leash. The road closes in winter, and the old power plant at the top is private.
- Best for:
- The big waterfall photo
More infoChecked November 2026
Lake Hope Trail
An alpine lake hike, about 5.5 miles round trip with about 1,200 feet of gain. Reach the trailhead by turning left at Trout Lake and following Forest Road 627. Dogs are allowed, bikes are not.
- Best for:
- Hikers happy to drive out of town for a lake
More infoChecked November 2026
Wasatch Trail
The long day out: a 15.5-mile loop from town that links Bear Creek and Bridal Veil over a saddle at about 13,050 feet.
- Best for:
- Fit hikers with a full day
- When:
- The Telluride trail map puts peak wildflowers around mid-July.
More infoChecked November 2026
Galloping Goose Trail
A 17.6-mile moderate ride between Telluride and Lizard Head Pass, with 1,450 feet of gain and a few short technical sections. Riding north from the pass is the easy downhill. Riding south from town is a steady climb. Bootdoctors in Mountain Village rents bikes.
- Best for:
- Mountain bikers
More infoChecked November 2026
Valley Floor Bike Path
A paved path of 6.6 miles out and back alongside Highway 145, groomed in winter. E-bikes are allowed. It links to the Galloping Goose in Lawson Hill. Dogs aren't allowed in Lawson Hill or on the Valley Floor, except on Boomerang Road.
- Best for:
- An easy family ride
More infoChecked November 2026
Imogene Pass
A difficult 4WD route to Ouray over a 13,114-foot summit, 17.9 miles in all, starting up Tomboy Road from the north end of Oak Street. It passes the Tomboy mining camp five miles in.
- Best for:
- Experienced drivers with a capable 4WD
- When:
- There's no set opening date. Check San Miguel County road conditions before you go.
More infoChecked November 2026
Ski and snow
Telluride Ski & Golf
The ski area above town and Mountain Village. Experts head for Revelation Bowl, the Gold Hill chutes, which aren't always open and can take 15 to 30 minutes of hiking, and 13,320-foot Palmyra Peak, a 1 to 1.5 hour hike rated experts only.
- Best for:
- Skiers, with hike-to terrain for experts
- When:
- Winter 2026-27 dates weren't posted when we checked.
More infoChecked November 2026
Nordic skiing at Town Park and the Valley Floor
The quiet side of winter. The Nordic Center in Town Park has rentals, maps and lessons, the Valley Floor has roughly 15 to 20 kilometers of groomed trails, and the Telluride Nordic Association posts a daily grooming report.
- Best for:
- A winter day away from the lifts
More infoChecked November 2026
Snowmobile tours with Telluride Outside
Family half-day, advanced half-day and full-day tours from a snow base on Fall Creek Road, about 30 minutes by van from town.
- Best for:
- Snow days for people who don't ski
- When:
- Late November through early April. Full-day tours start January 5.
More infoChecked November 2026
Climbing and guides
Telluride Via Ferrata
A fixed-iron traverse of more than 2 miles on the cliffs above town, with about 500 feet of exposure, taking 4 to 5 hours or more. Visit Telluride rates it experts only and recommends a guide. You need a harness, helmet and via ferrata lanyards.
- Best for:
- Climbers comfortable with serious exposure
More infoChecked November 2026
Telluride Mountain Guides
A guide service established in 1984. It runs via ferrata trips in summer and fall, and backcountry ski touring in winter.
- Best for:
- Anyone heading onto the via ferrata or into the backcountry
More infoChecked November 2026
In and around town
The free gondola
Free for everyone, about 12 minutes between Telluride and Mountain Village, running from about 6:30 a.m. to midnight. Hikers and bikers can get off at San Sophia station for the trails.
- Best for:
- Every visitor, at least once
- When:
- It closes in spring and fall. It reopens November 20, 2026, and winter service runs to April 4, 2027.
More infoChecked November 2026
Telluride Historical Museum
The town's history, in a building put up in 1896 as Hall's Hospital. It served as a hospital until 1964 and became a museum in 1966.
- Best for:
- A rainy afternoon
- When:
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays, and Mondays in winter.
- Where:
- 201 W Gregory Avenue, Telluride
More infoChecked November 2026
Sheridan Opera House
A 238-seat theater finished in 1913 and listed on the National Register. Check its calendar for what's on.
- Best for:
- A night out in a historic room
- Where:
- 110 N Oak Street, Telluride
More infoChecked November 2026
Festivals
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
The 54th festival fills Town Park in mid-June. Certain ticket types go quickly, and tickets go on sale December 10 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time.
- Best for:
- Music fans who plan early
- When:
- June 17 to 20, 2027.
- Where:
- Town Park, 500 E Colorado Avenue, Telluride
More infoChecked November 2026
Telluride Film Festival
Labor Day weekend screenings in theaters around town, with pass tiers sold by the festival and free Backlot programs open to the public.
- Best for:
- Film lovers who plan early
- When:
- September 3 to 6, 2027.
More infoChecked November 2026
Day trips
Ouray Hot Springs Pool
About an hour's drive by way of Highway 145, Highway 62 and Ridgway. There are five pools, and the hottest runs 102 to 106 degrees.
- Best for:
- A soak after a big hike
- When:
- Public hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where:
- 1220 Main Street, Ouray
More infoChecked November 2026
Silverton
A small old mining town at 9,318 feet. Plan a long day: the summit of Red Mountain Pass alone is about 1.5 hours from Telluride, and Silverton is farther on.
- Best for:
- A summer road trip
More infoChecked November 2026
Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Also see where to stay in Telluride and what's on.