Ouray’s Perimeter Trail is a unique 5.6-mile hiking experience that features remarkably varied terrain, unmatched scenery, four waterfalls, six bridges, up-close geology, a hidden troll, and a rocktopus. Hiking it involves approximately 1,800 feet of elevation gain and loss and will typically take 4-5 hours to complete. Good footwear and trekking poles are highly recommended.
TRAILHEAD:
The trail begins across from the Ouray Visitors’ Center on the east side of US 550. A parking lot is on the east side of the road. To hike the trail clockwise (you get the hardest part of the trail out of the way first), the trail starts out of the parking lot. If you want to hike the trail counterclockwise, cross Highway 550, go through the pool parking lot and cross the bridge over the Uncompahgre River near the City of Ouray Maintenance Buildings where you will find a kiosk near the trail entrance on Oak Street.