Name: Bear Creek Falls
Rating: 4.7

Toolbox

Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Absolutely great for families.

Overview

This trail is a great, gradually climbing hike up to the beautiful Bear Creek Falls. It provides access to numerous other trails, including Ballard Mountain, La Junta Basin, Wasatch Trail #508, and Gold Hill, among others.

Description

The trailhead is located at the far south end of Pine Street. The paved road ends and the trail begins. This out and back route meanders through aspens, then opens to gain views of Ballard and other surrounding peaks. You can access the Wasatch Trail from the Bear Creek Trail. This trail is popular and well-rounded for many different fitness levels, and has plenty of rewarding views. You can catch views of Bear Creek Falls from a huge, very prominent boulder found not far from the trail.

From the viewpoint, you can continue on to get and up close and personal look at the falls. The trail does become narrow and more singletrack upon the approach towards the big boulder. Round trip, it could take anywhere between 1-2 hours.

Be mindful that this trail is open to cyclists.

Shared By:

Trisha Cofield with improvements by Cathy Knight

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.7 from 50 votes

#1

in Telluride

#203

Overall

4.7 from 50 votes

5 Star		66%
4 Star		34%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Telluride

#52

in Colorado

#203

Overall

14 Views Last Month

18,609 Since Jun 3, 2016

		9%
		4%
		76%
		4%
		7%
		0%

Add a Photo

Photos

Starting out on the popular and smooth Bear Creek Trail.

Nov 4, 2023 near Telluride, CO

Aspen forest along the Bear Creek Trail.

Nov 3, 2023 near Telluride, CO

Jun 10, 2022 near Telluride, CO

Nov 3, 2023 near Telluride, CO

Jun 6, 2018 near Telluride, CO

Jun 6, 2018 near Telluride, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Sorry, weather is currently unavailable.

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown

Update Conditions See History

Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 15, 2024

Joaquin Esquivel

Sep 28, 2023

Ben Krantz

5mi — 2h 44m

Jul 29, 2023

Justin Hahn

Jul 24, 2023

Jimmy Prince

Jun 15, 2023

tara lieto

Aug 14, 2022

Matt Hardgrove

4.7mi — 2h 15m

Jul 31, 2022

Joe C

Jul 31, 2022

Suz C

Jul 21, 2022

Alex Kearney

Jun 6, 2022

Mark McKain

5.3mi — 3h 20m

Jul 16, 2021

Shari Pederson

Jul 12, 2021

Mike Tozier

Jul 10, 2021

Aaron Fensterheim

Jun 27, 2021

Jessie Sun

2h 40m

May 28, 2021

Mike Loftus

long but easy

Nov 30, 2020

Tyler Caruso

4.7mi — 2h 00m

Nov 19, 2020

Emily B

easy

Oct 17, 2020

Dmitry S

Sep 28, 2020

Chris Mullenberg

6mi — 4h 00m

Sep 26, 2020

Jillian Shimskey

Aug 31, 2020

Matt Teschke

Aug 17, 2020

Andy Markevicus

Doggo in tow 4.7mi — 2h 05m

Aug 14, 2020

Erin Andersen

Mileage includes optional offshoot 5.5mi — 2h 30m

Aug 11, 2020

Annie Hayes

Did with our ten and seven year olds. We all loved it.

Aug 6, 2020

Scott Teeter

Jul 25, 2020

Tony Weber

4.7mi — 2h 15m

Jul 8, 2020

John Henry

Hiked with Will and Nick. Gorgeous hike

Jul 7, 2020

Ameesh Garg

Jun 27, 2020

Mark Bretthauer

4.7mi

Oct 12, 2019

Daylene York

4.8mi

Sep 30, 2019

Cat Evans

5mi — 2h 00m

Sep 10, 2019

Jason Berling

Aug 29, 2019

Anthony Ianni

Had the trail to ourselves most of the way. Easy ascent and descent. Don't forget to turn around and look behind you. The views are worth it. 5.2mi

Aug 14, 2019

Christian G

Nice wide trail for most. Got narrower at the end. Gradual incline.

Aug 2, 2019

Derek Kreunen

Jul 31, 2019

Jesse Fink

4.7mi

Jul 28, 2019

Chris Kops

4.7mi — 2h 00m

Jul 27, 2019

Adam Bedenbaugh

Jul 26, 2019

Zhiyue Lu

The waterfall is powerful now. Great condition!

Jul 26, 2019

Lea Achim

Jul 15, 2019

Michael Holland

4.7mi

Jun 28, 2019

Tyler Hincy

7mi

Jun 28, 2019

Jerry Weiss

5mi

Jun 26, 2019

dan kopec

Sep 15, 2018

Amy Nguyen

Sep 5, 2018

Bill Davison

Intermittent rain but beautiful hike 5mi

Aug 25, 2018

Anna Allen

First Hike in Telluride 5.4mi

Aug 22, 2018

Scott Hooper

Jul 26, 2018

Adam Lungren

Jul 10, 2018

Rhett Miller

First Trail of the Trip. 4.7mi

Jul 4, 2018

Michael Guerra

4.7mi

Jun 22, 2018

Amanda Waltz

Jun 20, 2018

Stephanie Ito

Jun 20, 2018

George Hradecky

Jun 19, 2018

Ann Marie

Jun 11, 2018

Scott EHopkins

5mi

Jun 5, 2018

Gina Marie

Jun 4, 2018

Dhana Andrews Ferguson

Jun 4, 2018

Clayton Hoover

May 26, 2018

Jonathon Johnson

May 22, 2018

Michael Smith

Fun and easy hike. Great views of waterfall at the end and great bouldering rocks along the way. 4.7mi — 2h 00m

May 22, 2018

Eric Zimmerman

May 19, 2018

Pete MacKellar

4.8mi

May 16, 2018

Carter Einhorn

Apr 26, 2018

JC Risewick

Apr 23, 2018

Natt Henkel

4.6mi — 2h 30m

Dec 18, 2017

Mark Verosky

Oct 6, 2017

Meaghan O.

4mi

Oct 5, 2017

Brady Godbey

Aug 25, 2017

Gina Romberger

Beautiful evening hike with gorgeous views of telluride and the end with a gorgeous waterfall

Aug 21, 2017

Michelle King

6mi

Aug 16, 2017

Kendall Walker

Jul 28, 2017

Gregory Damron

Jul 24, 2017

Ron Knezek

Jul 20, 2017

Keith Donaldson

Jul 18, 2017

Brenda Leffler

Me and Janee

Jul 17, 2017

Brenda Leffler

Janee via River Trail to base of falls 8.5mi

Jul 16, 2017

Jesse Swift

4.7mi

Jun 30, 2017

Mike Meyer

Jun 25, 2017

LeAnn R.

4.6mi — 3h 00m

Jun 21, 2017

Maureen Floriano

Jun 18, 2017

Patrick Jenkins

Jun 16, 2017

Sarah Johnson

Beautiful a must see!

Jun 12, 2017

Don Sinex

May 28, 2017

Ross Therrien

Nov 23, 2016

Bienvenido Alesna

Nov 22, 2016

Bienvenido Alesna

Only hike we took in town after numerous recommendations, and it was worth it! 4.6mi — 2h 00m

Oct 21, 2016

Tania Pacheco

Oct 21, 2016

Aaron Nunez

Oct 4, 2016

Ryan Marlen

Sep 25, 2016

Kala Moynihan

Sep 17, 2016

Michael Geocaris

Aug 22, 2016

Regan Brown

First trail run down was a huge success! Would love to come back and do it again. 5mi — 1h 30m

Aug 14, 2016

Rick Holzer

Total worth making it all the way to the Falls! What a view in all directions! 4.7mi

Aug 10, 2016

Dustin Wells

Jul 14, 2016

Noseph Joel

Jul 10, 2014

David Lucas

4.7mi — 2h 30m

Nearby Recommended Routes

Views down the summit ridge toward Telluride.

The 7 Summits of Telluride

14.9 mi 23.9 km • 6,352' Up 1935.98 m Up • 6,353' Down 1936.33 m Down

Telluride, CO

Views down toward Telluride from near the top of the falls and Powerplant.

Bridal Veil Falls

4.3 mi 6.8 km • 1,320' Up 402.21 m Up • 1,319' Down 402.14 m Down

Telluride, CO

Hitching post mid-alpine zone. Turn RIGHT here.

Lewis Lake and Mine

1.9 mi 3.0 km • 414' Up 126.16 m Up • 412' Down 125.63 m Down

Telluride, CO

Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes

12.8 mi 20.6 km • 5,034' Up 1534.41 m Up • 5,029' Down 1532.99 m Down

Telluride, CO

Hiking the 4x4 road up Gary Copper Gulch is well worth it.

Gary Copper Out-and-Back

6.2 mi 10.0 km • 2,119' Up 645.85 m Up • 2,120' Down 646.27 m Down

Ouray, CO

Columbine Lake Out-and-Back

8.1 mi 13.1 km • 1,588' Up 483.89 m Up • 1,589' Down 484.44 m Down

Silverton, CO

Your Rating:
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites:	Add To-Do · Your List

Bear Creek Falls

“This quick route gives a true taste of Telluride and it's breathtaking landscapes. ”

4.7

7.5

Out and Back

9,888' 3,014 m

8,812' 2,686 m

1,076' 328 m

1,076' 328 m

9%

23%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Absolutely great for families.

Overview

Description

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#203

#1

#52

#203

Photos

0 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

The 7 Summits of Telluride

Bridal Veil Falls

Lewis Lake and Mine

Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes

Gary Copper Out-and-Back

Columbine Lake Out-and-Back

Join the Community! It's FREE