Hiking

Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the many wonders of our nation’s forests. The GMUG National Forests maintain over 3,500 miles of trails. 

Visitors can hike, ride horses or cross- country ski on just about all the trails on the GMUG. 

Selected trails or roads are open to bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles. Please refer to the MVUMs and visitor use maps for the best trails for your mode of travel on the GMUG National Forests.

Backpacking

Miles of beautiful scenic trails wind through the GMUG, rewarding hikers with backcountry solitude, stunning mountain views, alpine lake fishing and vibrant wildflower meadows.

Many of our day hiking trails are adaptable for backpacking loops. The Forest visitor use maps are a quick guide to our extensive trail system.

The GMUG National Forest has 10 wilderness areas comprising over 556,936 acres or almost 20% of our forest! Check out our Wilderness areas while you plan your backpacking adventures.  

General Hiking

Check out some of our featured trails:

Ouray Ranger District:

• Uncompahgre Wilderness Trails
• Silver Jack Reservoir  

Norwood Ranger District:

• Telluride Trail
• Rock of Ages

Grand Valley Ranger District:

• Grand Mesa- Mesa Lake Trail
• Grand Mesa- Ward Lake Trail
• Crag Crest

Paonia Ranger District:

• Dark Canyon 

Day Hikes

The Forest maintains over 3,500 miles of summer trails.   Many hikers can enjoy a day hike beginning right from their campground.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (144)

Day Hikes (590)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 591 results

Agate Creek #484

The Agate Creek Trail #484 begins at the Agate Trailhead on Highway 50 and ends at its intersection with the Crest Trail #531.  The trail heads eastward, winding through the Agate Creek drainage and…

Agate Spur #484.2A

Forest Trail #484.2A (Agate Spur Trail) is 0.6 miles long. It begins at U.S. Highway 50 (T. 48 N. R. 5 E. Section 6) and ends at Forest Trail #484 (T48N R5E Section 6). Forest Trail #484.2A is open…

Alder Creek #510

The Alder Creek Trail #510 provides access into the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, where Wilderness Regulations apply. This trail receives only light maintenance so visitors should be prepared to…

Alder Creek #577

Alder Creek Trail (#577) is 3.1 miles long. It begins at Forest Road #538.2A and ends at Forest Road #882. Portions of  this trail ( #577) are open for the following uses: hiking, mountain biking,…

Alpine #225

The Alpine Trail #225 begins at Forest Service Road #858, Owl Creek Pass/Cimarron Road and ends at Forest Service road #868, the Alpine Plateau Access Road on the Gunnison Ranger District. This trail…

Alpine Mine #206.1A

The Alpine Mine Trail #206.1A begins at an intersection with the Weehawken Trail #206 and ends at an overlook just past the Alpine Mine. The Weehawken Trail switchbacks as it ascends the hillside on…

Alpine Tunnel #539

For a description of this area please call the Gunnison Ranger District at 970-641-0471.

Alpine. #225

The Alpine Trail #225 begins near the Alpine Guard Station on the Alpine Forest Access Road, FSR #686 and ends at Forest Service Road #858 on the Ouray Ranger District.  Originally the Alpine Trail…

Aqueduct #753

Forest Trail #753 (Aqueduct Trail) is located on the south-side of the Grand Mesa National Forest. The eastern trailhead access is off Forest Road #127 and the western trailhead is off Forest Road…

Ashley #147

The Ashley Trail #147 begins at Forest Service Road #506, Payne Mesa Road, and comes to an end on the northeast point of Ashley Ridge. The trail follows Ashley Ridge, descending gradually until it…