HIKING
Your basecamp for beautiful hikes in the San Juans
The area surrounding Purgatory offers an endless variety of beautiful hiking trails for you to discover. The San Juan Mountains are a rugged, breathtaking subrange of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Famous for deep glacial valleys, jagged peaks, and vibrant alpine lakes, this region offers everything from mellow waterfall strolls to strenuous 14ers.
Please note: We do not offer any hiking trails from the base area of Purgatory. Hiking on bike trails is prohibited at all times, 7-days a week. This includes while our trail crews are performing maintenance Monday-Wednesday.
This doesn’t mean there aren’t hiking options close by! We are conveniently located close to many other trails on National Forest and BLM Land. With options across the highway, or up the forest service access road “Hermosa Park Rd”, Forest Rd 578, which is accessible to most 2WD vehicles with clearance.
Check out popular trail options all over Durango Here
If you are unfamiliar with Colorado Trails and access roads, or just need a refresher on our trail etiquette and rules, check out the City of Durango Open Space and Trails Website where they have put together a comprehensive guide to how to safely explore our wilderness!
The San Juans are also known for their rapidly changing weather patterns. Make sure to check local weather before departing on your adventures to ensure you are prepared for conditions, and are not at risk of being caught in a thunderstorm. We recommend checking out NOAA’s website here for our area.
Want to run up a mountain?
The Mountain Marmot is an epic trail race. The course is simple—start at the bottom of the mountain…run to the top and back. Sounds hard? It’s definitely a challenge. But think how great you will feel when you make it to the top!
Weather in the mountains
- In high altitudes, it’s easier to catch a sunburn and to become dehydrated more quickly than you’re used to. Apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes prior to partaking in summer activities, and reapply every two hours. Make sure to drink at least one 8-ounce bottle of water per hour. Also, bring along bars and snacks to replenish your energy throughout the day. Food, drinks and portable snacks are also available in the Village Market & Deli.
- Weather can change quickly and unexpectedly in the mountains. It is common for afternoon thunderstorms to build in July and August, and it is advisable to start your adventures early during these months and to carry extra layers for warmth and rain.
