Hermosa Creek Trail
From Adventure Inn: about 13 miles to the lower trailhead
The Hermosa Creek Trail is one of Durango's signature mountain bike rides: roughly 19 miles of singletrack following Hermosa Creek through forest, meadows, and aspen groves in the San Juan National Forest. The surrounding Hermosa Creek watershed is protected as a special management area.
Most riders shuttle to the upper trailhead near Purgatory and ride the trail south, a net downhill with some solid climbs mixed in. Hikers and runners often start at the lower trailhead and do an out-and-back along the creek.
The lower trailhead is about 25 minutes from Adventure Inn, and back at the hotel, King rooms have an in room bike and ski rack, guests in other rooms can lock bikes up outside, and the hot tub is waiting at the end of the day.
Know Before You Go
- Distance from Adventure Inn
- About 13 miles to the lower trailhead
- Travel time
- About 25 minute drive
- Best time to go
- June through October, with aspen color in late September
- Best for
- Mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, and anglers
Things to Do
- Ride the full trail from the upper trailhead to the lower trailhead with a shuttle
- Hike or run an out-and-back from the lower trailhead along the creek
- Fish for trout in Hermosa Creek and its side streams
- See fall aspen color along the trail in late September
- Pair a morning ride with lunch in Durango or a soak at Durango Hot Springs
Getting There From Adventure Inn
For the lower trailhead, drive north on US 550 from Adventure Inn about 9 miles to the Hermosa area, then follow County Road 201 to the trailhead parking at the end of the road, about 13 miles and 25 minutes in total. The upper trailhead is reached from the Purgatory area via Hermosa Park Road, which is dirt and best for higher clearance vehicles.
Practical Tips
- Book a shuttle with a local bike shop or leave a car at each end if you plan to ride the full trail
- Start early in summer to beat afternoon thunderstorms
- Carry plenty of water or a filter, a spare tube, and a basic repair kit; there's no cell service for long stretches
- Stream crossings can be high in early summer, so check conditions with the San Juan National Forest
- Yield to horses and other trail users, and expect motorcycles on parts of the trail
Make Adventure Inn Your Basecamp
27 rooms on Main Avenue in Durango with free parking, a fire pit, an outdoor cedar hot tub, and an in room bike and ski rack in every King room. Spend the day at Hermosa Creek Trail and come back to a soak under the stars.