Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by foxintheforest

Known as the “Little Switzerland of America” Ouray, Colorado is a sight to behold. There are countless Ouray hikes that put you in the heart of this stunning landscape.

If you’re looking to get out into the mountains (and maybe even have a “Sound of Music” moment…I don’t judge) then getting out on one of the best hikes in Ouray will make your heart sing.

As a local of over 13 years, I’ve been on many of the Ouray hiking trails countless times. Learn how to travel like a local, not a tourist, with this epic guide to the most stunning hikes in Ouray.

About this Guide to Ouray Hikes

Inside this local guide to Ouray hikes, you’ll find info about:

• The best time for hiking in Colorado
• Practical information about visiting Ouray
• A map of the best Ouray hikes
• Easy hikes near Ouray
• Moderate Ouray hikes
• Ouray hiking trails that deliver a real challenge
• Nearby attractions
• Where to eat
• Where to stay
• Additional Colorado hiking resources

When is the Best Time for Hiking in Ouray?

There are two primary seasons for hiking in Ouray. July to August and September. July typically marks wildflower season in the mountains.

The hills come to life with colorful blooms and you can find some of the most beautiful wildflower hikes in Colorado right near Ouray.

September is a wonderful time to enjoy many of the Ouray hikes. With plenty of aspen groves nearby, you’ll find yourself dancing in a sea of oranges, yellows, and reds during mid-September.

Local Tip: As one of the most popular things to do in Ouray, hiking trails can get quite crowded. Start early (before 7 am) in order to gain some solitude on popular trails.

Is Ouray, Colorado Beautiful?

Ouray is arguably one of the top places to visit in Colorado due to its stunning scenery. Honestly, it’s a must-see spot and certainly beautiful no matter what time of year you visit.

Nestled in a sea of cliffs and right off of the famous Million Dollar Highway, there’s plenty to drool over in Ouray.

Where is Ouray?

Nestled in the heart of the stunning San Juan Mountains, Ouray is a well-known mountain town in the southwest corner of Colorado.

As one of the most popular weekend trips from Denver, you can get to Ouray in just 5 hours and 30 minutes from downtown (6 hours and 10 minutes from the DIA airport).

This beautiful location is next to a variety of other Colorado attractions, making it an ideal stop on any Colorado road trip itinerary.

And for the full map, please click here.

Map of the Best Ouray Hikes

Below is a map of the best Ouray hikes to help you plan your trip. And for added convenience, please click here for the full map.

The Best Easy Hikes in Ouray

Sometimes easy hikes aren’t that exciting, but that is not the case with these Ouray hikes. The easy Ouray hiking trails offer unique experiences without too much effort.

1. Baby Bathtubs Trail

Baby Bathtubs Trail is a short hike that the whole family will love. While it can be included as a side hike from the Ouray Perimeter Trail, it’s fun on its own, especially for kids.

The trail leads to potholes in the stream where water collects, so you can jump right in and splash around.

Local Tip: You might want to bring sandals or water shoes for kids to play in the potholes.

Distance: 0.7 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 185 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 30 mins
Dog Friendly: Yes

2. Box Canyon Falls

A short but steep hike leads to amazing views at Box Canyon Falls. You can take the trail just to the lower falls or a little bit farther to the upper falls for awesome views of Ouray and the waterfalls crashing into the canyon below.

Expect it to be crowded because this is one of the best hikes in Ouray so it is very popular.

Local Tip: There is a $5 fee to access this trail.

Distance: 0.3 mile out & back
Elevation Gain: 177 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 15 min
Dog Friendly: No

3. Ouray Ice Park Loop

One of the can’t-miss Ouray hikes is the loop around the Ouray Ice Park. This is an especially fun hike in the winter when you can watch the ice climbers make their way up the frozen routes at this ice-climbing mecca.

During the summer months, you can watch adventurous climbers tackle the famous Ouray Via Ferrata course, one of the top via Ferrata in Colorado.

But it is a lovely hike any time of the year with peeks of the Uncompahgre River along the way, and the ability to branch out onto other trails if you want to explore more.

Local Tip: Feeling feisty? Book a guide and tackle the Ouray via Ferrata and then hike this trail as a reward afterward.

Distance: 2.5-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 485 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes, on-leash

The Best Moderate Hikes in Ouray

Explore more with these Ouray hikes that showcase why this is one of the coolest Colorado mountain towns.

4. Ouray Perimeter Trail

If you head out on only one of the many Ouray hiking trails, the Ouray Perimeter Trail is the one to do.

In a few hours over 6 miles, you’ll take in stunning mountain views, see four flowing waterfalls, pass through several canyons, and cross the river on five bridges.

The Ouray Perimeter Trail begins at the Ouray Visitor Center and truly is the best way to see as much of Ouray as possible on one hike.

How Long is the Perimeter Trail in Ouray?

As one of the more popular hiking trails in Ouray, the Permiter Trail is a 6-mile loop and takes around 3 hours to complete.

Distance: 6-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 1,512 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours

Are Dogs Allowed on the Ouray Perimeter Trail?

Yes. Dogs are allowed, but they must be leashed. Don’t forget to pick up after your pet and carry your dog poop as you hike – do not leave bags on the trail to pick up later, other people have to look at it!

5. Gray Copper Trail

The Gray Copper Trail is pretty steep in sections, but it’s worth the workout for incredible views of the Red Mountains.

You’ll also get a nice jaunt through a forest as well as a chance to see Gray Copper Falls. Most of the trail is well-maintained, but you will encounter a few loose scree (small rock piles) sections to watch out for.

Distance: 5.8 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,047 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 3-3.5 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes, on-leash

6. Cascade Falls & Chief Ouray Mine

This moderate hike offers a chance to see the upper section of Cascade Falls, which flows all the way down to Cascade Creek.

Plus, at the end of the hike, you’ll find the remnants of history at Chief Ouray Mine.

Along the way, you’ll get spectacular views out over the Million Dollar Highway, one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Colorado, and Red Mountain as well as Yankee Boy Basin.

Distance: 4.3 out & back
Elevation Gain: 1,883 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Estimated Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes

The Best Challenging Hikes in Ouray

While the Ouray hikes listed here will certainly challenge you, they’ll also show you why Ouray is one of the most scenic places in Colorado.

7. Ice Lake

Visit one of the most beautiful Colorado lakes on the hike to Ice Lake. This trail is simply stunning, especially in the summer when it explodes in color and becomes one of the most spectacular wildflower hikes in Colorado.

But that’s just a bonus on top of the waterfalls you’ll pass in the basin and the breathtaking aquamarine alpine lake with a background of peaks when you finally reach Ice Lake.

Distance: 7 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,437 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 5.5-6.5 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes

8. Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks provides a panoramic view of all of Ouray and the surrounding peaks, but you have to head basically straight uphill to get it.

There are two options, the Old Twin Peaks trail which is super steep or the New Twin Peaks trail which is less direct but a little friendlier to your lungs and legs.

Either way, give yourself some time to appreciate the views – and catch your breath – at the summit of one of the best Ouray hikes.

Distance: 1.5 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 1,190 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes, on-leash

9. Hayden Trail

A steep hike up Hayden Mountain leads to views of several peaks, including Mount Ridgeway and Potosi Peak, across Yankee Boy Basin.

Hayden South is usually the preferred trail to the summit and descend because the north side of the Hayden Trail has a lot of steep scree to navigate.

Distance: 6.4 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,958 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Dog Friendly: No

10. Columbine Lake

Avoid the crowds at Ice Lake with a hike to the hidden gem of Columbine Lake instead. You’ll get plenty of peak views as you ascend to this alpine lake, including great looks at Anvil Mountain and Ohio Peak.

Once you reach Columbine Lake, you can continue up through scree to Columbine Pass or head left through talus for even better views of the lake and the valley below.

Distance: 6.6 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,295 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 3.5-4.5 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes, on-leash

11. Bridge of Heaven via Horsethief Trail

Head up Cascade Mountain on the Horsethief Trail to reach the Bridge of Heaven, a ridgeline at 12,000 feet featuring panoramic views of the Cimarron Mountains, Mt. Sneffels, Uncompahgre Peak, and Mt. Wetterhorn.

The seriously impressive views of Ouray and beyond make you forget about the exertion required up the steep switchbacks to get there.

Local Tip: 4WD is required to get to Upper Horsethief Trailhead. You might be able to hike in from the Dexter Creek Trailhead, depending on conditions, but this will add a couple of miles to the hike.

Distance: 7.7 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,965 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes, on-leash

12. Blue Lakes & Blue Lakes Pass

You can choose your own adventure on this hike and just go 6.3 miles (roundtrip) to Lower Blue Lakes, 8.2 miles (roundtrip) to Upper Blue Lakes, or a full 11 miles (roundtrip) all the way up to Blue Lakes Pass (the views are worth it). Whichever you choose, Blue Lakes is definitely one of the best lake hikes in Colorado.

Local Tip: The trail to Blue Lakes is an awesome place for leaf-peeping and is one of the best fall hikes in Colorado.

Distance: 11 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 3,650 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 7-8 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes, on-leash

13. Mount Sneffels

Mount Sneffels makes for one of the best hikes in Colorado, with incredible views and a Colorado 14er summit to bag.

The views of the San Juans will take your breath away, and you’ll also get to experience the beauty of Yankee Boy Basin.

The route up the Southwest Ridge is considered easy class 3, so only do this route if you’re experienced and prepared for some scrambling.

Keep in mind, that you’ll want to prepare for your first Colorado 14er (and probably hike a few others before attempting this one).

This is a no-joke hike that requires you to start well before sunrise (think 5 am or earlier) to avoid dangerous afternoon thunderstorms.

Local Tip: The rock is very loose along this route. You’ll need a helmet to navigate safely. If you find yourself letting rocks tumble, yell “rock” to people below you.

Even if you think there aren’t any other hikers, yell away because you never know!

Distance: 7.1 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 3,320 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes

14. Bear Creek Trail

One of the ultimate Ouray hikes and toughest Ouray hiking trails is Bear Creek. The trail is long and the elevation is intense, but if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll get cool views of the Uncompahgre Gorge and get to visit Ouray history at Grizzly Bear Mine and Yellow Jacket Mine.

Be aware that you’ll have to cross a talus slope and hike along cliff ledges with steep drop-offs, so Bear Creek Trail is not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights.

Distance: 12.4 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 4,698 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated Time: 7-8 hours
Dog Friendly: No

What to Pack for a Ouray Hike

Here’s an in-depth list of what you should bring on your next mountain hike.

Can You Hike from Ouray to Telluride?

In short, no, there are no foot trails that make this 10-mile journey (as the crow flies) possible. There are several 4×4 roads that cut through rugged mountain passes to Ouray.

On the surface, these look like they are walkable, but because of the treacherous obstacles for vehicles, walking these roads is not advised.

Instead, opt to enjoy some of the top hikes in Telluride by driving either one of the 4×4 roads for the day, or taking Highway 550 to Highway 62 in Ridgeway and then heading south on Highway 145 (part of the famous San Juan Scenic Byway).

Nearby Attractions

There are a lot of fun-filled activities to do in and around Ouray which is why the area is one of the most popular Colorado weekend getaways.

A few things you’ve got to check out nearby include:

• Visiting Yankee Boy Basin
• Enjoying some of the many Telluride activities
• Taking a side-by-side on the famous Alpine Loop scenic drive
• Driving the Million Dollar Highway
• Driving a 4×4 road such as Ophir Pass, Black Bear Pass or Imogene Pass

Where to Eat Post-Hike

All of this activity got you feeling hungry? Be sure to check out these sweet eats post-hike:

• Maggies: Burgers/bar food $$
• Ouray Brewery: Vegetarian, American, beer $$
• Thai Chili Ouray: Thai Food $$

Places to Stay in Ouray

When it comes to where to stay in Ouray, you’ve got plenty of options. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Alpenlilly in town, but you can find a variety of AirBnBs.

Camping in Ouray offers a variety of options including:

• Amphitheater Campground
• Angel Creek Campground
• 4J+1_1 RV Park (private)
• Ironton dispersed camping area

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Additional Local Colorado Hiking Resources

Looking for more Colorado hiking inspo? I’ve got you covered with honest, local hiking guides ot Colorado’s most incredible trails.

• Top Hikes in Breckenridge You Don’t Want to Miss
• Vail Hikes that Will Take Your Breathe Away
• The Complete Guide to Hiking in Grand Junction