The best cycling routes in San Miguel County

San Miguel County offers a variety of touring cycling routes. There are 10 routes available for touring cyclists, ranging from easy to difficult, providing options for different skill levels.

Touring cycling in San Miguel County features incredibly diverse terrain. You'll encounter dramatic box canyons, rugged cliffs, majestic alpine peaks within the San Juan Mountains, lush valleys, and high desert mesas. The San Miguel River valley also offers scenic views of surrounding peaks.

Yes, there is at least one easy touring cycling route suitable for beginners. The End of the Box Canyon route is 12.2 miles (19.6 km) long with minimal elevation gain, making it a great option to start exploring the region's characteristic box canyons.

San Miguel County is rich in natural beauty. Along your rides, you can encounter stunning landmarks such as Bridal Veil Falls, one of Colorado's tallest waterfalls. You'll also find numerous viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the San Juan Mountains and the unique red-rock sandstone walls of the San Miguel River canyon. Other notable spots include Trout Lake and Coonskin Mountain.

Yes, the region boasts significant natural preserves. The San Miguel River is a vital natural feature, supporting rich riparian habitats. You can explore areas like the San Miguel Canyon Preserve and the San Miguel River South Fork Preserve, which are recognized for their pristine condition and diverse ecosystems. For more information on these areas, you can visit nature.org/san-miguel-canyon-preserve and nature.org/san-miguel-river-south-fork-preserve.

Absolutely. San Miguel County offers several challenging routes with significant elevation gains. For instance, the Iron Springs Mesa loop covers over 50 miles (82 km) with nearly 1,000 meters of ascent. Another demanding option is the Wrights Mesa – Dallas Divide loop from Rattlesnake Claims, which is over 66 miles (107 km) long and features more than 1,500 meters of climbing.

Yes, several touring cycling routes in San Miguel County are loops, offering a varied experience without retracing your path. Popular options include the Telluride/Mountain Village loop, the Ophir loop, and the scenic Woods Lake loop.

The best time for touring cycling in San Miguel County is generally during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. This period offers favorable weather conditions to enjoy the diverse landscapes, from valley floors to challenging mountain passes, before winter snows arrive.

Yes, some routes connect the charming communities in the county while offering stunning views. The Telluride/Mountain Village loop is a moderate 16-mile (25.7 km) path that provides scenic mountain views and links these two key areas. You can also explore the town of Telluride itself.

Many routes in San Miguel County provide spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains. The Mountain Village to Lizard Head Pass route, for example, leads through alpine landscapes with significant elevation gain, offering expansive mountain vistas. The Last Dollar Road route is also renowned for its panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains and high desert landscapes.

Yes, the San Miguel River Trail is an excellent option for those seeking river views. This route follows the San Miguel River, which is known for its pristine riparian habitat and flows through a narrow canyon with impressive red-rock sandstone walls soaring up to 2,000 feet.