Telluride to Durango 5-Day Singletrack Tour
RIDING TYPE
Advanced
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
July - August
Telluride to Durango 5-Day Singletrack Tour
Experience the San Juan Mountains on Two Wheels
Imagine a multi-day mountain bike trip through the heart of the San Juan Mountains, riding from the iconic peaks of Telluride to the vibrant cycling town of Durango. Our Telluride to Durango bike trip is your all-inclusive ticket to experiencing this legendary route. With Western Spirit, you can leave the logistics behind. We handle all the planning, gear, meals, and camping, so you can simply immerse yourself in the high-alpine adventure and the breathtaking scenery of this guided Colorado mountain biking tour.
Advanced Challenge, 12,000 ft Alpine & Iconic Trails
This Telluride to Durango Tour is tailored for Advanced riders who can handle high-altitude and technical challenges. Featuring:
High-Alpine Traverse: Cycle between Telluride and Durango through the San Juan Mountains, conquering passes up to 12,000 feet.
Iconic Trail Access: Ride legendary singletrack including the Colorado Trail, Hermosa Creek Trail, Stagecoach Trail, and the historic Galloping Goose.
Technical & Exposed: Expect very difficult riding on narrow, steep mountain trails with exposure along steep ridges.
Fully Supported: All-inclusive logistics with support vehicles and expert guides ensure a worry-free immersion into the high country.
Remote & Rewarding: Experience true backcountry singletrack far from vehicle support, with stunning views of Engineer Peak and the Grenadier Range.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
After meeting in Durango, we’ll take a scenic shuttle to the historic town of Telluride.
We’ll start our ride by taking the gondola out of town, a unique launch to our adventure.
An incredible 2,000-foot singletrack descent awaits, plunging us into the beautiful Ilium Valley for lunch.
The afternoon is spent climbing a steady grade on the historic Galloping Goose railroad trail, leading us to our high-alpine camp for the night.
We’ll begin with a warm-up loop around beautiful Trout Lake before tackling the challenging but rewarding East Fork Trail.
This primitive singletrack takes us through breathtaking high meadows beneath the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains.
We’ll finish the day at our scenic Bolam Pass camp, situated at 11,000 feet with incredible views.
An optional ride to Sliderock Pass is available for those who want a little more.
This ride is a spectacular out-and-back from our Bolam Pass camp.
We’ll climb up to Sliderock Pass, where a quick regroup allows us to take in amazing high-alpine views.
From there, we’ll enjoy an exhilarating and technical descent down to Cascade Falls for a trailside lunch.
Our guides will ensure a safe and fun experience as we make the climb back up to the pass, followed by a familiar, thrilling descent back into camp.
Today, we’ll ride on the iconic Colorado Trail, experiencing spectacular alpine singletrack at an altitude few people ever reach on their bikes.
The trail winds around Hermosa Peak before ascending 12,000-foot Blackhawk Pass.
This is a true Colorado singletrack adventure, featuring short hike-a-bike sections that reward us with far-reaching views.
We’ll enjoy an incredible, long descent off the backside of Blackhawk Pass and onto the Stagecoach trail, which brings us to our final camp along Hermosa Creek.
We’ll finish our Telluride to Durango bike trip on what is considered one of the best singletrack trails in the Rockies: the Hermosa Creek Trail.
This challenging and rewarding ride follows the creek through vast aspen and conifer forests.
The ride finishes with a thrilling, long descent down to the valley floor, leaving you with a huge smile.
We’ll load up the shuttle van at the trailhead and head back into Durango, concluding a truly unforgettable cycling journey.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Singletrack on clay, packed sediment, some rocky sections, pine needles, smooth dirt and short sections of county roads and asphalt.
Overall Rating
Advanced
Technical Difficulty
Moderate to difficult. Technical, narrow trails; lots of obstacles.
Physical Difficulty
Moderate to difficult. High altitudes (over 10,000 feet), steep climbs and long
Altitude
Biking Mileage
14-20 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding up to 14 miles.
Hiking Mileage
14-20 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding up to 14 miles.
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Durango, CO, 7:30 AM MST at 2nd Ave Sports, 640 East 2nd Avenue, 970-247-4511 (3-hr shuttle to Telluride). Ending time: return to Durango 2:00-3:00 PM last day. Getting there: 6-hr drive from Denver via US 160; fly into Durango (DRO).
Lodging Before Your Trip
Lightner Creek Inn B & B
Comfort Inn
Best Western Durango Inn
Best Western Mountain Shadows
Budget Inn
Super 8
970-259
4818 or 800-626-2066
PACKING
What we provide
- Meals
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Camp mugs & dining ware
- 1 cycling water bottle
- Camp chairs
- Dry bags
- Solar showers
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Bike stand
- Lube
- First aid kit
Bring or rent
- Bike
- Helmet
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Cycling & camp clothing
- Rain gear
- Personal items
- Tipping cash (10-20%)
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
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Western Spirit
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