An afternoon in Telluride
A walk around the historic centre and a ride on the free gondola to Mountain Village and back.
Telluride, Ouray and Silverton
Telluride, Ouray and Silverton
Current weather
Ouray
Data will appear when this section is open.
Weather model data for Ouray. On Red Mountain Pass, more than 900 m higher, it is noticeably colder and the weather changes faster.
The towns and the road in photos
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These three towns are best seen together. Telluride sits in a box canyon to the west, the Million Dollar Highway links Ouray and Silverton, and the whole area forms the San Juan Skyway scenic loop.
Sources checked: . The gondola according to Telluride.com, the road according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the train according to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Hours and prices change, so check them before you go.
DistancesTelluride → Ouray via Ridgway: about 80 km. Ouray → Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway: about 40 km, roughly 45 minutes without stops.AltitudeOuray 2,375 m, Telluride about 2,670 m, Silverton about 2,840 m, Red Mountain Pass 3,358 m.Time neededOne and a half to two days: an afternoon in Telluride and a full day for the drive to Silverton and back.
From my experience: the charm of mountain towns. What wins you over here is the charm of these mountain towns: a slightly pioneer feel, a remarkable setting and views like Switzerland. On my Colorado trip we drive through here in mid-September, when the summer crowds are gone.
Telluride
A former mining town in a box canyon closed off by high mountain walls. Its whole historic centre is protected as a landmark, and above the valley Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall, drops from the cliffs.
The biggest attraction is free: the gondola to Mountain Village takes about 12 minutes and runs daily from 6:30 to midnight, with maintenance breaks in spring and autumn (the 2026 summer season runs from 21 May to around 25 October). Telluride is expensive, and over Labor Day weekend, during the film festival, hotels are hard to find.
Telluride.com — gondola ↗Ouray — the "Switzerland of America"
Ouray sits in a natural rock amphitheatre at 2,375 m, surrounded by steep peaks, hence the nickname "Switzerland of America". Main Street is lined with buildings from the mining era, and the town is a good base before and after the Million Dollar Highway.
For the evening there are the town's hot springs pools (Ouray Hot Springs Pool), and just outside town Box Canyon Falls Park, where a walkway leads to a waterfall in a narrow rock slot. Both charge admission; check current prices locally.
Visit Ouray ↗Million Dollar Highway (US 550)
The stretch of US 550 between Ouray and Silverton, about 40 km. The most spectacular part is the Uncompahgre Gorge south of Ouray and the climb to Red Mountain Pass (3,358 m). The road is narrow, with tight hairpins taken at 15 mph in places, steep drop-offs and, on many stretches, no guardrails.
Drive slowly, in daylight and well rested. Stop for photos only in marked pull-outs. Heading north from Silverton you are on the inside, by the rock; heading south from Ouray you are on the outside, by the drop. Check conditions on COtrip before you set off.
COtrip — road conditions ↗Silverton
The highest of the three towns, at about 2,840 m, in a mountain basin. Its historic centre is a protected landmark, and on Blair Street, once a street of saloons and brothels, 19th-century buildings still stand.
Silverton is the end of the line for the historic narrow-gauge train from Durango, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Passengers step off right by Blair Street, and the train heads back a few hours later. On my trip we do not ride the train, but its arrival is worth seeing.
Durango & Silverton Railroad ↗Altitude and weather
All three towns lie higher than the highest peaks in many European ranges you might have hiked. On the first day you may notice shortness of breath, a headache or poor sleep: drink plenty of water, do not overdo it and go easy on alcohol.
In September the days are usually pleasant, but the nights are cold, and the first snow may already fall on the passes. In mid-to-late September the aspens turn gold: one of the most beautiful moments of the year.
When to go →Where to stay and how to combine it
Ouray is the most convenient base: it sits in the middle, close to both Telluride and Silverton. Telluride has the most expensive hotels, Silverton the smallest choice. Book ahead, especially for weekends.
The towns lie on the San Juan Skyway scenic loop. From Moab you reach Telluride in about 3 hours, and from Silverton you can continue south to Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.
My Colorado trip →Two days in the San Juan Mountains — step by step
Via Ridgway to Ouray
An early start, about 80 km through the mountains. A short walk along Main Street in Ouray.
Million Dollar Highway
The Uncompahgre Gorge and Red Mountain Pass, with stops in marked pull-outs.
Silverton
A walk along Blair Street and Greene Street, lunch and, if your timing is right, the arrival of the train from Durango.
Back to Ouray
The same road in the other direction, with different views, and the hot springs to finish.
What to see
A short overview. Check hours, prices and availability on the websites listed with each town.
Telluride – Mountain Village gondolafree · about 12 min · daily 6:30–24:00 in season
The only free public gondola transit system of its kind in the USA. Views over the valley and peaks, and restaurants and viewpoints in Mountain Village.
Telluride.com ↗Bridal Veil Fallsabove Telluride · view from the valley or a trail
A tall waterfall at the end of the valley, with a historic power plant on its rim. You can see it well from the end of the road beyond town.
Box Canyon FallsOuray · short walkway · admission
A waterfall roaring in a narrow rock slot, reached by a walkway fixed to the canyon wall.
Ouray Hot Springs PoolOuray · thermal pools · admission
Town pools fed by hot springs, with mountain views. Perfect after a day on the Million Dollar Highway.
Red Mountain Pass and old mines3,358 m · pull-outs along US 550
The red slopes of Red Mountain and remains of old mines are visible straight from the road. Stop only in marked places.
Silverton and the Durango trainBlair Street · Greene Street · train arrival
A walk through a former mining town. The train from Durango arrives in the middle of the day and stays for a few hours; check the timetable on the railroad's website.
Durango & Silverton Railroad ↗Telluride, Ouray, Silverton and the Million Dollar Highway are part of my Colorado trip: days 10–11 in the 13-day version and days 15–16 in the 18-day version.
Additional sources: CDOT — San Juan Skyway ↗ · Visit Ouray — Million Dollar Highway ↗