When asked what section of the Colorado Trail is most worth riding, most riders would say this is the one due to how many miles are up above treeline, amongst meadows bursting with flowers, and negotiating ridge crests and passes. There’s quite a bit of hike-a-bike along the way for most riders, but never for too long at a time. And the good sections of trail are really good.

The preferred riding direction for this route is southbound, starting where the Colorado Trail crosses Molas Pass a few miles south of Silverton. From there, the trail climbs and meanders below a series of peaks and over a few stunning passes well above 12,000 feet in elevation at the southwestern edge of the San Juan Mountains. South of Blackhawk Pass, the trail follows a long drainage divide to reach the isolated La Plata Mountains. The rocky, exposed traverse across and down from Indian Trail Ridge is a highlight for most riders. And from there, an easy hop over Kennebec Pass leads to 6,000 feet of descending to the southern terminus of the Colorado Trail on the outskirts of Durango.