United States · 8 days · 1,500 km · Loop
Colorado Rockies and Mesa Verde — Aspen, Telluride, Durango 8 days
Colorado Rockies loop. Denver, Vail, Aspen, Independence Pass, Telluride, Mesa Verde NP (cliff dwellings), Durango, Million Dollar Highway, back. Mountain towns + archaeology.
Start: Denver · End: Denver · June to October. September is golden aspens. · Difficulty: easy
Highlights
- Vail Village
- Aspen
- Independence Pass
- Telluride box canyon
- Mesa Verde Cliff Palace
- Durango Silverton train
- Million Dollar Hwy
- Black Canyon Gunnison
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Denver → Vail
Denver → Vail · 160 km
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Day 2
Vail → Aspen (Independence Pass)
Vail → Aspen · 200 km
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Day 3
Aspen → Black Canyon → Gunnison
Aspen → Gunnison · 220 km
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Day 4
Gunnison → Telluride
Gunnison → Telluride · 200 km
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Day 5
Telluride → Mesa Verde
Telluride → Mesa Verde · 130 km
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Day 6
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace + Durango
Mesa Verde → Durango · 60 km
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Day 7
Million Dollar Hwy → Salida
Durango → Salida · 350 km
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Day 8
Salida → Denver (drop-off)
Salida → Denver · 280 km
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.