Hiking in Pagosa Springs, CO

Piedra Falls
This is an easy 1-mile hike round trip that features a stunning waterfall rushing over volcanic rock. The terrain involves a well-defined, flat trail, with a slight advance in incline as you approach the falls. During the Spring, Summer, and Fall months; Piedra Falls will be at its best. To get there from Dancing Winds Ranch, turn right onto Piedra Rd. Turn right on to Middle Fork Road, FS 640 and follow this road for two miles to East Toner Road. Turn right on East Toner Road and take it to the end. Walk along the river and enjoy the beautiful scenery to get to the waterfall.

Piedra River Trail
Trail length one way - about 11 miles
The Piedra River Trail is an easy to moderate hike and one of the more popular trails in the Pagosa area. This is an excellent trail any time of the year, offering something for every type of outdoor enthusiast. To get to the trailhead from the cabins, turn right onto Piedra Rd and after crossing the bridge, there is a parking area on the left-hand side of the road. Park there and begin your hike at the trailhead. The trail will split early on, stay to the left heading down towards the river. You will soon come to sheer cliffs that rise on both sides of the river. After about 2 miles, the trail descends to a flat area along the river. The trail remains easy for the first 3 miles, then it starts getting more moderate for the remaining 8 miles to the bridge on the First Fork of the Piedra Road. Activities along the trail includes: hike, horseback, fishing, rock climbing, bird watching, hunting and much more.

Ice Cave Ridge
Follow same directions for access as the Piedra River Trail, but when the trail forks, stay to the right. This trail will quickly bring you to a very neat geological feature known as the “Ice Caves.” These deep fissures shelter ice into early Summer and continue to get larger and deeper with each melt-freeze cycle. There are several fissures 1to 8 ft wide and over 100 ft long. A unique site for a quick hike.

Cimarrona Creek Trail
The first two miles of the trail are relatively easy winding through the spruce fir forest on the edges of the Weminuche Wilderness. The trail climbs steeply passing a spot referred to as the Cimarrona Arch Window at almost 4 miles. The trail continues to the northeast side of Cimarrona Peak passing the Hossick Creek Trail No. 585 at 6.5 miles before climbing up to the Continental Divide at Squaw Pass. The trail has an elevation gain of 3,500 ft.

Pagosa Peak
Pagosa Peak is a prominent mountain that rises to the north of the town of Pagosa Springs at the edge of the San Juan Mountains. An unsigned but well-beaten trail starts at an elevation of 10180 ft. through a dense forest until you break out on the saddle. The views begin here and just keep getting better. Once you reach the actual summit the views are inspiring. The San Juan Mountains are laid out below you with the feeling that you’re on top of the world. You gain about 2,000 ft in 2 miles with little relief.

Trails around Williams Lake
There are several trails around Williams Lake to entertain every explorer offering limitless adventures. So many accessible trails that have breathtaking views of the mountains and the lake.