Cover Photo Credit: Madeleine Balestrier
Come September, Telluride transforms. Crowds thin, the air turns crisp, and the mountains ignite with sweeping amber and fiery orange.
There’s no better time to explore Telluride than in the fall. Deep Creek’s singletrack winds through a sea of golden aspens, and the once-busy biking and hiking trails quiet down, offering a chance to take in the San Juan scenery in solitude. Autumn is also the perfect season to climb the Via Ferrata, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the town wrapped in a perpetual golden hour glow.
Whether you're chasing peak foliage or simply seeking a fall adventure, here’s how to make the most of Telluride in the fall:
Telluride Fall Adventure Checklist:
Photo Credit: Madeleine Balestrier
Traverse the Via Ferrata in Telluride
The Telluride Via Ferrata sits etched into the walls of the Box Canyon. It’s a jungle gym of cable and iron overlooking the town below and mountains soaring above. Before the early-season snow rolls in, grab your lanyard, harness, and helmet, and traverse the via ferrata to capture a bird's-eye view of the autumn landscape. Don’t forget layers for this time of the year, too!
Run the Deep Creek Half Marathon
Photo Credit: Madeleine Balestrier
Every late September, our friends at Confluence Events host a half-marathon that perfectly captures Telluride in the fall. The soft rolling singletrack trail winds through groves of aspen alight with the changing leaves. While a tough endeavor with 3,000 feet of elevation gain and over 13 miles, it’s a worthwhile adventure that guides you through Telluride’s autumnal charm.
Bike Prospect
Before the snow falls, squeeze in one last ride on Prospect Trail. This scenic track winds through open meadows, dense forests, and offers jaw-dropping views of the Wilson Range, all from Telluride Ski Resort. With golden curtains of aspens overhead and the crisp fall air at your back, it’s one of the most rewarding rides of the season. Tack on the Boomerang Trail to Alta Ghost Town!
Hike Sneffels Highline
Photo Credit: Madeleine Balestrier
If you catch Sneffels Highline in September, you’re in for a quintessential Colorado hike. The trail takes you above treeline, across alpine meadows, and up to panoramic ridgelines. The fall colors peak in mid- to late September, transforming the entire basin into a vibrant canvas of gold, orange, and deep green. It's a strenuous loop—over 12 miles and almost 4,000+ feet of elevation gain—but every step is worth it.
SUP Trout Lake
Imagine pushing off from shore into Trout Lake, shimmering with gentle hues of gold and green reflected from the surrounding landscape. In summer, Trout Lake bustles with paddle boarders, but in the fall, this alpine lake quiets, adrift among the San Juans. The best time to paddleboard at Trout Lake is in the fall.
More Ways to Play:
Dance at Telluride Blues and Brews
Photo Credit: Madeleine Balestrier
Every year, Blues and Brews comes a’ rocking and rolling to Telluride’s little mountain town. It’s an incredible weekend of music, beer, and dancing under the aspens' spotlight.
Soak at Orvis Hot Springs
Are you gearing up to check off the above checklist or your own Telluride adventure to-dos? Then, make sure you plan to head to Orvis Hot Springs. Your body will thank you later. Plus, it’s a beautiful stop along the Southwest Colorado fall foliage tour.
Shop the Farmers Market
The Telluride Farmers Market doesn’t close up shop until mid-October. So it’s not too late to shop for local fruits and vegetables, ceramics, pastries, jewelry, and flowers this autumn in Telluride!
Drink on the rooftop of Last Dollar Saloon
Before Last Dollar Saloon, or locally known as the Buck, shuts its bar down for the off-season and winter, grab a drink on the rooftop. Beer is best enjoyed with a sweeping view of the changing mountains.
Shop at Jagged Edge Mountain Gear, the only locally owned mountain gear store in Telluride, Colorado, and check out the brand's locally sewn and USA-made products online or in-store.
