Are dogs allowed on Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway?

No, Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway?

Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway is rated moderate. It is 73.2 miles long with 14,147 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Colorado trail conditions

ModerateLoop

Colorado

Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway

Silverton, Colorado

73.2 mi

Distance

14,147 ft

Elev. Gain

28h 51m

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

This is an off-road driving route. It is necessary to have a 4WD vehicle. The entrance to cinnamon pass from Silverton is no longer open.

From Wikipedia

The Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is a rugged 63-mile (101 km) Back Country Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high San Juan Mountains of Hindale, Ouray, and San Juan counties, Colorado, USA. The byway connects the mountain towns of Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton. The route ranges in elevation from 7,792 feet (2,375 m) in Ouray to 12,800 feet (3,901 m) at Engineer Pass. The byway features high mountain passes, alpine tundra, beautiful mountain meadows, ghost towns, and relics of the silver mining era. While the meadows and tundra are accessible to ordinary passenger vehicles, a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is required to travel the entire route.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:2,649 ft

Max:3,956 ft

4,312 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Loop
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context