Top 5 Running Trails in Durango
Lace up your shoes and enjoy running in Durango, CO!
Taking up trail running can be a great way to see new parts of Durango. It is a sport that can be great for all ages whether competitive or recreational. Lace up your running shoes, and head out to one of our Top 5 Running Trails in Durango, Colorado.
Top 5 Running Trails in Durango
Durango, Colorado is home to world-class trails. You won’t be disappointed with the variety of places to run in Durango. With over 300-miles of trails within 30-minutes of town, Durango serves as a playground for trail runners. It's hard to pick a favorite with so many great options! Below are just a few popular running trails in Durango.
Animas River Trail
Easy - The Animas River Trail is a paved pathway that stretches 7 miles along the Animas River, and pushes 14 miles when ran as an out and back trail. This is a great beginner trail that is well marked, paved, with only few hills. It has easy access to downtown Durango, and meanders along the beautiful Animas river.
Church Camp Trail
Easy - Church Camp Trail is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Durango, Colorado that features a scenic waterfall and is great for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking, and is best used from May until October. If you're thinking about getting into trail running, this is a great option for your first route.
Dry Fork Loop
Moderate - Dry Fork Loop is a 8.7 mile loop trail located near Durango, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and mountain biking. The locals in Durango recommend taking this loop trail counterclockwise from the parking lot to start off strong and finish easy. This is a go-to spot for trail running in Durango.
Hermosa Creek Trail
Moderate - Hermosa Creek Trail is a 18.4 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Durango, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of outdoor activity options and is best used from June until October. This hike is considered to be one of the top trails in Durango and perhaps even one of the best in Colorado. It is 20 miles, beginning high in the San Juan Mountains, following a dirt trail along Hermosa Creek.
Sunlight Peak via Purgatory Campground
Advanced - Sunlight Peak, Windom Peak, North Eolus and Mount Eolus via Purgatory Campground is a 37.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Durango, Colorado that features a great forest setting and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until September. The first 9-10 miles are flat and runnable, and may be better to power hike as it gets steeper. It becomes runnable again from the basin back to Purgatory.
All Durango Area Running Trails
Upcoming Running Events in Durango
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