Hike to 6 Phenomenal Views of Durango

Durango serves as the access point for adventurers heading into the mountains across all of Southwestern Colorado. Consequently, most hikers will arrive in town, provision up and spend the night, and then head out into the San Juans to bag 14ers, enjoy crystal-clear alpine lakes, or backpack deep into the backcountry.

While the San Juans are undeniably one of the most stunning mountain ranges in North America, hikers shouldn't overlook the incredible network of trails accessible directly from downtown Durango. With over 100 miles of natural-surface trails in the city limits and over 300 miles within 30 minutes of downtown, you're confronted with a mind-blowing array of adventures without even having to get in your car!

Durango itself is a picturesque town straddling the divide between the high mountains of the San Juans and the dry desert of the Southwest. Nestled in the Animas River Valley beneath towering mesas and with soaring peaks providing a stunning backdrop, Durango is a picture-perfect destination in its own right.

In this guidebook, you'll find six hikes that all lead to incredible vistas directly over the town of Durango. These six views all provide different vantage points, including four different sides of town and several different elevations. If you don't want to head deep into the mountains, pick one of these stellar options close to town!