Where To Hike In Ouray?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The towns of Ouray and Telluride in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado are only 10 miles apart as the crow flies, but are separated by the rugged Sneffels Range.

In the summertime it’s possible to hike, run, bike, or even drive 17 miles over 13,114 ft.

How long is the Ouray Perimeter Trail?

Roundtrip Length:

4.4 Miles
Trailhead Elevation: 7753 Feet Total Elevation Gain: 1150 Feet Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: 523 Feet Highest Elevation: 8557 Feet

Is Ouray CO worth visiting?

However,

Ouray is gorgeous and totally worth visiting any time of the year

. We first visited Ouray 6 years ago on our very first trip to Colorado and instantly, I fell in love with its quaint small town feel and how tightly it’s nestled between the mountains.

What is the best trail in Hocking Hills?

  1. Cantwell Cliffs. First on our list is the scenic, one-mile hike to Cantwell Cliffs. …
  2. Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls is another fabulous hike in Hocking Hills State Park. …
  3. Rock House. Nestled deep in the woods, the Rock House Trail is memorable for hikers of all ages. …
  4. Conkle’s Hollow. …
  5. Ash Cave.

Which is better Telluride or Ouray?

As towns,

Telluride is more upscale than Ouray

. Classier restaurants, night life, etc. Ouray is still a “real town” despite its location (probably because no ski resort). Don’t miss the free gondola to Telluride Mountain Village.

What do you wear to a waterfall hike?

  • Hiking Shoes. I just cannot tell you how much I have loved my Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator Low Hiking Shoes (men’s and women’s). …
  • Rain Jacket. …
  • Shirt. …
  • Pants. …
  • Shorts. …
  • Daypack. …
  • Dry Sack. …
  • GPS Device.

What elevation is Ouray?

7,792′

Where does the Ouray Perimeter Trail start?

Driving Directions from Ouray: The official beginning of the Ouray Perimeter Trail is at the

Ouray Visitor Center, 1230 Main Street (Highway 550)

. The Visitor Center is located at the north end of town along the west side of Highway 550 and shares a parking lot with the Ouray Hot Springs.

Where does the perimeter trail start?

The track begins from

Mallawa Road and Bullara Street near the edge of the Terrey Hills Golf Course

. The loop follows a combination of road and single-track trails as it meanders through the hilly bushland of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

What is Ouray known for?

Known as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray, Colorado is a beautiful mountain town surrounded by rugged canyons and the unparalleled beauty of the San Juan Mountains. Located in Southwestern Colorado, Ouray is famous for its

hot springs, outdoor activities, and its historic charming downtown

.

What mountains surround Ouray?

Boxed in by the majestic

San Juan Mountains

, Ouray (elevation 7810 ft) sits at the bottom of a glacially carved valley. Prospectors established the town in the 1870s, but larger mining companies quickly came in and took over the gold mines, extracting over one million ounces of gold from the surrounding area.

Where do you fly into for Ouray?

Directions to Ouray, Colorado

The closest airports to Ouray are

Montrose Airport (MTJ, 45 miles away; Grand Junction and Durango Airports

, regional airports that are 2-hour driving distances from Ouray.

Can you swim in the waterfalls at Hocking Hills?

NO!

There is NO swimming or wading in Hocking Hills State Park waterfalls, creeks, or natural bodies of water

, except at the designated beach area at Lake Logan and Lake Hope State Park.

Can you swim in Devil’s Bathtub Hocking Hills Ohio?

Can you swim in Devil’s Bathtub Hocking Hills? Although it may look like a great place for a cool dip in the water,

no, you are not allowed to swim in Devil’s Bathtub

. In fact, with the tub being several feet deep, it is actually almost impossible to get out of.

Can you hike all of Hocking Hills in one day?

Check out my foodie guide to Columbus, Ohio here – yum!

Hocking Hills has 7 different hiking areas – all of which are relatively short and moderate making it easy to visit multiple stops in one day

. We stayed for two nights and it seemed like the perfect amount of time to explore it all.

Is there a gondola from Ouray to Telluride?

The town, at 8,750 feet, and upscale Mountain Village at 9,545 feet, are linked together by

a free gondola that runs from 7 a.m. to midnight every day

, and connects the two towns with a 13-minute ride.

What is there to see between Ouray and Telluride?

  • Box Canon Ouray.
  • Ouray Hot Springs.
  • Box Canon Falls.
  • Downtown Telluride.
  • San Miguel River Trail.
  • Telluride Walking Tour with Historian Ashley Boling.

Is Silverton Colorado worth visiting?

Its history is palpable, its services unpretentious, and its buffet of adventures endless. It’s not easy to get to, and can even feel like a step back in time, but

a trip to Silverton is a guaranteed adventure

.

Can I hike in vans?

While they do provide excellent grip, Vans offer little protection against the weather and are a totally flat shoe, which can cause discomfort when walking long distances. For anything other than a short hike on even terrain,

most hikers recommend that you do not wear Vans as a hiking shoe

.

Can you hike in crocs?


Crocs are not a good hiking shoe due to their lack of grip and ankle support

. They are not designed for any kind of incline or decline and are not especially good in rough terrain.

Are chacos good for hiking?

TRAILWORTHY SANDALS

Chacos –

The Chaco Z/1 Classic (men’s and women’s) model is our top pick for hiking sandals

. They are sturdy and comfortable, and they have an impressive amount of arch support. If you like a softer sole try the Chaco Z/Cloud (men’s and women’s).

Is Ouray open?

Rain, snow, or shine, the Ouray Hot Springs are

open year-round

for public use. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center houses five pools, three of which are geothermally heated.

Why is Ouray called the Switzerland of America?

Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of America”

because of the high mountains rising on three and a half sides of town

. It sits at 7,792 feet in the heart of the San Juan Mountains off of Highway 550. The town of 1,034 people was named after Chief Ouray of the Ute Indians, a native tribe to the area.

How do you pronounce the name Ouray?

Are dogs allowed on the Ouray Perimeter Trail?


Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash

. Ouray’s Perimeter Trail, a unique five miler, features the surrounding cliffs and mountains. It begins across from the Ouray Visitors’ Center on the east side of US 550.

Where is Box Canyon Az?

Location:

Southeast of Florence Junction, northeast of Florence

. Difficulty: Easy. Description: A unique and scenic drive through a narrow, steep-walled canyon. It’s tempting to rate this trail easy but there are several moderate-size rocks to get over.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.