Top 5 Things to Do In: Telluride, CO
Sure, you’ve heard of the Telluride Film Festival and maybe even Mountain Film. There’s the Blues n’ Brew, the Bluegrass Festival, and the new-ish Ride Festival. Of course, there’s also the ski resort and plenty of shopping in the picturesque city center. All of the above is a must, but we have a few recommendations of our own that will get off the beaten path!
Telluride Via Ferrata
So long as you’re not afraid of heights, the Telluride Via Ferrata will give you the best views on town. As some of you may know, via ferratas were developed in the Alps primarily during the First World War to help soldiers access provisions in remote mountain locales. An iron cable and metal steps are affixed to the wall. Wearing a harness and using a via ferrata kit, you can clip into the cable and traverse the bare mountain face below Ajax Peak. It’s free if you know what you’re doing, but you can also book a guided trip through numerous companies in town.
Wasatch Trail
View of Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride by Rob Lee
Telluride has some of the best hiking trails in the San Juan Mountains right at its door step. Try out the 12.3 mile (RT) Wasatch Trail. With views of high alpine meadows, Bridal Veil Falls, and Wasatch Mountain, you’re likely to fill up your memory card with gorgeous pics. It’s definitely high-altitude, and steep in places, so make sure you’re acclimated and don’t forget to take your eNZees in case of blisters!
Camp in town or nearby
Telluride Town Park Camping by Brian Omura
Camp in town? That’s right. The Telluride Town Park has a wonderful campground within walking distance of the city center. It’s first come, first serve, so if there’s a festival on it’s likely to be full. Otherwise there are numerous Forest Service campgrounds in the area that are easily accessible. Why stay in a hotel when you can sleep in the great outdoors?
Ilium Boulders
Some of the best bouldering in Southwest Colorado is just a short drive from Telluride. These sandstone boulders just off the Ilium turnoff on CO 145, offers a mix of problems from V1 to V9. On a beautiful summer day, you can spend a good afternoon getting pumped! *Insider tip: we’ve heard from several climbers who use eNZees to prevent pinching in their toes on multi-pitch routes. Try it bouldering!
Imogene Pass Run
Flowers by Alan Stark
Feeling fit and spry? Sign up for the 44th Imogene Pass Run on September 9, a 17.1 mile point-to-point trail run from Ouray to Telluride over the 13,114 foot Imogene Pass. This race attracts runners from all over the country, and people have been coming back to race it year after year. And for good reason! The route takes you through some of the most spectacular countryside you’ll ever see! Registration opens June 1 and it fills up fast! Put it on your calendar and start training today!
Check out our post on the Top 7 Things To Do In: Durango, CO.