Molas is a high-alpine region nestled within the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, characterized by its rugged terrain and panoramic vistas. Situated along the scenic Million Dollar Highway, it serves as a key access point to the extensive Colorado Trail system. The area features picturesque alpine meadows, high-altitude lakes like Molas Lake, and diverse geological formations, providing an ideal setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and more.
The Molas…
49
Routes
4.7
(42)
Average rating
516
People visited

5.0
(5)
23
hikers
4.04km
01:07
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.4
(5)
27
hikers
15.5km
04:17
260m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(5)
18
hikers
16.4km
04:29
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(5)
17
hikers
17.5km
04:49
280m
280m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
44
riders
63.9km
05:13
860m
860m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

29
riders
97.0km
07:49
1,370m
1,370m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(3)
42
riders
30.0km
02:32
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
25
riders
42.0km
01:49
190m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(1)
24
riders
65.8km
03:01
520m
520m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
49.2km
02:28
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

7
riders
58.9km
02:34
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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21
riders
27.1km
02:18
230m
230m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
40.2km
03:37
700m
700m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(2)
8
riders
23.1km
02:03
330m
330m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

10
riders
41.8km
03:47
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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15
runners
10.5km
01:13
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
runners
12.4km
01:30
220m
220m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
runners
9.69km
01:07
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
8.66km
00:54
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Molas offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Mountain biking. The region is known for its high-alpine environment and access to the Colorado Trail system. More than 800 visitors have shared experiences, with routes averaging 4.61 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Molas is a prime destination for hiking, offering trails for various skill levels. It provides access to the Colorado Trail, suitable for day hikes and longer backpacking trips. For more information, consult the Hiking around Molas guide.
Notable hiking routes include the 8.0-mile (12.9 km) Animas River & Molas Lake trail, which features wildflower meadows. The 11.1-mile (17.9 km) Crater Lake Trail leads through varied terrain to Crater Lake and offers ridge views. The 4-mile (6.4 km) Molas Trail provides a high-altitude option alongside the Animas River.
Yes, the Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Highway 550) traverses Molas Pass, making it a well-known route for road cyclists. It is famously the last mountain pass of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic race. Find routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Molas guide.
Yes, the Molas region offers opportunities for mountain biking. The varied terrain provides ample options for this sport. Specific routes can be explored through the MTB Trails around Molas guide.
Molas Pass features a high alpine environment with panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains, including Snowdon Peak and Grand Turk Mountain. The area includes picturesque alpine meadows and lakes such as Molas Lake and Little Molas Lake. The Molas Pass Overlook provides nearly 360-degree views.
Molas offers trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, catering to various skill levels. The extensive trail system includes options that can be suitable for less experienced hikers or families. Specific routes should be researched for suitability.
Molas Pass serves as a key access point for the expansive Colorado Trail system. Sections of this state-spanning path can be used for both day hikes and longer backpacking trips from the Molas area. Little Molas Lake also functions as a trailhead for the Colorado Trail.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for the Molas region. These include Hiking around Molas, Road Cycling Routes around Molas, Cycling around Molas, Running Trails around Molas, and MTB Trails around Molas.
Molas is special due to its accessibility as a 'window into the greater backcountry of Colorado' and its role as a primary access point for the Colorado Trail. Its blend of challenging and moderate terrain, spectacular mountain scenery, and high-altitude lakes provides an inspiring backdrop for activities. The pass is generally open year-round, offering winter sports opportunities.
Molas Lake is popular for fishing, hiking, and camping during warmer seasons. While Molas Pass itself does not have a dedicated website, information about Molas Lake Park & Campground may be found on separate local tourism websites. Contacting Durango tourism services or the San Juan National Forest office can also provide details.
Routes in the Molas region have an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on experiences shared by more than 800 visitors. The high average rating reflects the quality of outdoor experiences available.

