Telluride Travel Guide

At an elevation of more that 8,000 feet, what used to be a gold-mining town is now a full-fledged recreational hotspot. Telluride, Colorado is definitely one-of-a-kind. While the ski trails are no doubt the best attractions when winter comes around, the town doesn't close shop when the summer heat arrives. With trails for mountain biking and hiking, rivers for rafting and kayaking and ruggedly magnificent views for sightseeing, Telluride is a year-round destination. Some call it "To-Hell-You-Ride," but to us it is pure heaven.

Things to Do

Telluride is every skier's dream. The Telluride Ski Resort services three distinct areas with its 16 lifts. You can also go cross-country skiing via the public trails in Town Park, along the San Miguel River and Telluride Valley Floor. The Telluride Nordic Center can help you out with rental gear and instructions. In the summer, go mountain biking and take in all the scenery. Beginners are well-advised to take the easy 2-mile River Trail connecting Town Park with Highway145. More advanced riders can go up to Mill Creek Trail from there. If you want spectacular views on foot, trek the Jud Wiebe Trail. Easy Rider Mountain Sports rents bikes, gears and maps for these activities. Also, don't miss the numerous festivals that happen on an almost weekly basis here. The Telluride Film Festival, Mountainfilm in Telluride and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival are just some of the more popular ones. To glimpse the mining history of the town, take a Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour inside Gold Hill. 

Restaurants

For a small town, Telluride has attracted a lot of culinary talent. As a result, you can savor a vast array of flavors from the many restaurants that dot the area. Whether you want good old American fare, Mexican, comfort food, pizzas, hotdogs, noodles or fresh breads and pastries, there are good and affordable eateries and bakeries in town. Most of these can be found in Downtown Telluride and in the Mountain Village.

Shopping

Retail shops in Telluride and Mountain Village offer a unique shopping experience. For alpine clothing for the whole family, head to Alpen Schatz Boutique in Telluride or the Appaloosa Trading Company in Mountain Village. If you want diamonds, designer jewelry and original artworks from European contemporary artists, Elinoff & Co. is your luxury place. Cool t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats are available at Hole-e-Shirts.

Where to Go in Telluride