29 Traveling through the dazzling, multihued San Juan Mountains, with stops at historical towns of great significance, the San Juan Skyway is often considered one of America’s finest drives. Begin in Durango, a town that got its start as a railroad center. A vestige of this era is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which connects the town to its silver-boom neighbor to the north, Silverton. The byway leaves Durango and reaches Silverton via two verdant passes that take in views of the Weminuche Wilderness. Between Silverton and Ouray, the byway follows the “Million Dollar Highway,” a historic road that clings to cliffs and is famous worldwide for its scenery. After a stop in the Victorian-and Queen-Anne-bedecked town of Ouray — whose hot springs are worth a dip — the San Juan Skyway wraps around the northern edge of the San Juan Mountains, passing one of Colorado’s most postcard-worthy views: Mount Sneffels as seen from Dallas Divide. An hour later, drivers arrive in Telluride, famous for its festivals, skiing and Bridal Veil Falls. The loop then bears south to Mesa Verde National Park, a World Heritage Site that is famous for the cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The route then returns to Durango. 145 Uncompahgre National Forest Dallas Divide 550 RIDGWAY OURAY 62 PLACERVILLE TELLURIDE Million Dollar Highway SILVERTON RICO 145 160 DOLORES Canyons of the Ancients National Monument San Juan National Forest Molas Pass 550 CORTEZ MANCOS Mesa Verde National Park 160 DURANGO
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways 2024/2025: Page 29
