Colorado Trail
A roughly 500-mile route links Denver and Durango through six wilderness areas, high passes, forests, and long resupply gaps. Plan by segment, elevation, water, and bailout options before thinking about total mileage; thru-hike averages conceal major differences.
Artwork inspired by William Henry Jackson
The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles (782 km) from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. Its highest point is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Despite its high elevation, the trail often dips below the alpine timberline to provide refuge from the exposed, storm-prone regions above.
Plan by segment, elevation, water, and bailout options before thinking about total mileage; thru-hike averages conceal major differences. Distinguish the Collegiate East and West alternatives and know where bicycles must detour around designated wilderness.
- Route
- Roughly 500 miles, Denver to Durango
- Prepare for
- Wilderness sections reroute bicycles
- Allow
- 2–6 hours
Quick guide
- Route question
- Collegiate routes ↔ wilderness bicycle detours
- Final evidence
- the route transition that should control pace and turnaround
Build an evidence-led visit to Colorado Trail
- Plan
- Plan one segment in detail
- Watch
- Distinguish Collegiate East and West
- Know variants
- Distinguish Collegiate East and West plus bicycle wilderness detours.
- Plan deeply
- Snow, lightning, fire, water, altitude, and transport drive logistics.
Good to know
Snowpack, lightning, wildfire, water treatment, altitude, and transportation logistics matter more than a generic gear checklist.
Notice these
- A roughly 500-mile route links Denver and Durango through six wilderness areas, high passes, forests, and long resupply gaps.
- Distinguish the Collegiate East and West alternatives and know where bicycles must detour around designated wilderness.