Scenic Bike Routes: San Juan National Forest ? Colorado

San Juan Mountain SkywayThis week's scenic bike tour post takes us to the Rocky Mountain State and the San Juan National Forest. If you've never ridden in Colorado before, you're in for a treat. The route we are going to talk about here is a loop spanning just over 225 miles; many bikers know it as the San Juan Mountain Skyway.

Before we actually describe the trip, you need to know this route is not for beginners. There are lots of hairpin turns, ascents and descents, and rough mountain roads without guardrails to protect riders from driving off the mountain. If you are not completely comfortable with your bike under all conditions, this ride might not be good for you.

The Route

Because the road is a loop, you can start anywhere to complete the circuit. Having said that, a favorite starting point for many bikers is Durango, an old railroad town with a current population of about 16,000. This is a good place to spend the night relaxing and getting charged up before heading out.

If you head north on Rt. 550 out of Durango, you'll be heading right into the forest. The road will be fairly easy and gentle for the first 25 to 30 miles, accompanied by some incredible views of the central Colorado mountains. The road will become progressively more complicated as you head further north.

Take 550 straight up to Rt. 62. You can immediately take 62 west or continue a few miles north to the Ridgway State Park where you can and rest for a while.

Rt. 62 will carry you south-west to Rt. 145; turn left and head south-east into Telluride. This little community is a canyon town with spectacular views of the mountains all around. It's just what you'd expect from a small, Midwestern community. It is also a great place to stop for the night if you want to make this a two-day trip. However, be warned; hotel space is limited.

Continue on 145 south, to 160 east and back to Durango. The last stretch of 145 is pretty gentle and easy-going, as is the entire length of 160. Traveling the loop in this direction allows you to wind down for your last 50 miles or so. Along the way, there are still plenty of great sites to see.

Scenery and Amenities

The San Juan National Forest loop is all about conquering the Colorado mountains on a motorcycle. But don't worry; there are plenty of amenities along the way. The amazing thing about this part of Colorado is the sheer number of small towns that have popped up over hundreds of years of history. Between mining towns and the railroad, there are lots of places to gas up or get a bite to eat.

Ridgway is one of the favorites among those who appreciate old Westerns. The town was used as one of the sites for How the West Was Won and a number of other notable films. The town is also home to Billings Artworks, the company responsible for manufacturing Grammy award trophies.

History lovers will appreciate some of the old railroad lines that are still in operation. There are also a couple of locations along the route where you can see the remains of cliff dwellings constructed by Native Americans centuries ago.  There's so much to see along the way that it's really difficult to quantify here.

If you're up for a challenging ride in a region that is both beautiful and historical, the San Juan National Forest loop should be on your list of rides to complete. Nevertheless, make sure you go in the summer if you want optimal weather conditions.

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