The southwest Colorado town of Durango is a cyclist’s playground. Bordered by the San Juan Mountains, wrapped by the Animas River and surrounded by high desert, this former mining town marks a place where the arid desert meets the lush spruce forest. With its unique climate and picturesque terrain, Durango enjoys an extended cycling season each year. We are, in fact, one of Colorado’s top singletrack-mountain-biking locales, and National Geographic lists Durango as one of America’s 20 Best Mountain Bike Towns.
To foster an authentic bike culture, a town needs more than just high-quality trails. They need easy trail access, think two-hour loops leaving downtown in all four directions. A bike-friendly vibe is a must. Then, add in a history of churning out legendary cyclists, like Ned Overend, Juli Furtado, Bob Roll, Elke Brutsaert, Missy Giove, Myles Rockwell, Tom Danielson, and one of our very own at Legacy Properties West, Chris Wherry!
Career highlights include:
- US Professional Road Race Champion 2005
- Saturn Pro Cycling Challenge 2002
- Amature Road Race Champion 1996
- Multi time Jr. National Champion
- 4X Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Criterium Champion
Chris’s love of riding bikes continues to this day! Most days now are spent on the trails, here in Durango since they are SO good.
It’s Not Just for Fat Tires
True, the city of Durango boasts hundreds of miles of groomed single track all within thirty minutes of downtown, but if road biking is your passion you’ll still be right at home here. The Animas River Trail follows the river through the heart of Durango, offering miles of paved trail through downtown. We’re also home to the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, a 51-mile race climbing to an elevation of almost 11,000 feet. In this competition, contenders race from Durango to Silverton against a historic narrow gauge, coal-burning locomotive. A tradition that has been alive for almost 50 years.
Where to Ride
While Durango offers endless tracks of varying levels and miles of picturesque road, here are just a few of our favorite rides:
Hermosa Creek Trail
A 26-mile backcountry descent from Purgatory back to Durango. This trail is a full day trip, and it’s considered one of Colorado’s best rides. At a glance, the route seems like a downhill cruise, but that’s not exactly true. You’ll lose more elevation than you’ll gain during this 20-mile segment, but the lengthy advanced course makes for a rolling ride rather than an all-out sprint to Hermosa. Classic singletrack is present the whole ride, with a few steep sections to get your heart rate up and a few river crossings to cool you down.
Baker’s Bridge Loop
This 30-mile loop begins on North Main at City Market and winds through the lush Animas Valley. Turn right on 32nd Street and ride until it ends at County Road 250, then turn left. County Road 250 will take you all the way to Baker’s Bridge. Travel south over the bridge and straight to the intersection at Highway 550. Turn left on 550 and ride it past Honeyville to Hermosa where you get on County Road 203. The turn onto CR 203 is on the right, just past the railroad tracks and it will bring you back into Durango. This ride is also referred to as “The Long Valley” by area bikers.
Dry Fork Loop (Colorado Trail)
To access this 8.7-mile loop, either pedal via Highway 160/Lightner Creek Road/Dry Fork Road to this trailhead or drive to this popular trailhead northwest of town. You can’t beat the singletrack along this intermediate half-day ride (about three hours). The shady, tree-lined path rolls creekside during many portions, offering some steeps, but a mostly moderate ride. Watch for horse traffic on this trail, especially during fall hunting season.
Wildcat Canyon Loop
The 35-mile Wildcat Canyon Loop begins on Highway 160 W, with a long 10-mile climb then a short descent to Hesperus Store. Turn left at the store on Hwy 140. The road has a gradual decline for a few miles. Take your first paved left onto County Road 141, which is Wildcat Canyon Road and is on a climb up from a bridge. County Road 141 has gently rolling hills that will take you back to Hwy 160 just west of Durango.
Where to Get Your Gear
Durango has some of the best biking around, as well as some of the best bike shops. Mountain Bike Specialists has been a premier cycling shop for more than 50 years, offering Specialized, Cannondale and Niner to name a few. Durango Cyclery is the oldest, continuously running bike shop in town, and they offer sales as well as rentals. Pedal The Peaks is a family-owned and operated fixture in Durango’s bike culture offering sales, rentals and repairs.
If you’re looking for a place to live that offers access to all the biking you could ever want, Durango is the place for you! Here at Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s we live, work and play in the mountains we call home and can’t wait to help you find the perfect residence in our town where you can bike out your back door. Call or stop by today!
