Durango HD® Great Rides in Colorado

Four Corners - Best riding in the USA! Plan your ride now.

Map

The Million Dollar Highway runs from Durango, through Silverton to Ouray. Ride three 10,000 foot passes surrounded by snow capped peaks. Enjoy curves, waterfalls, stunning views and clean mountain air. Silverton resides at 9318 feet. Be sure to stop in and visit Silverton Harley-Davidson® from May through September (Silverton is closed for the winter - come see us next May). It's the Worlds Highest Harley® store and you can get the shirt to prove it. Take your picture on the crazy Harley® bench in front of our "World's Highest" sign. Enjoy shopping and dining in a real Rocky Mountain mining town. (They have one of the coolest Fourth of July celebrations ever!) Continue north over legendary Red Mountain Pass to another former mining jewel, Ouray. More cools shops and restaurants. The mountain curves will give you several 180 degree views and the scenery is outstanding. The AMA rates the Million Dollar Highway as the fourth best ride in all of America. You have to ride this one. For even more thrills, do a 180 in Ouray and ride it back to Durango. The scenery and road look totally different and it doubles your fun. Be sure to stop in and see us in Silverton. This folks, is the real Rocky Mountain Ride.

Photo 1

You can ride via Silverton and Ouray (120 miles) or go west to Mancos and take the cutoff to Dolores and then on to Telluride (107 miles). The Dolores route crosses Lizard Head Pass at 10,222 ft. Either way, the scenery is stunning. The road through Dolores is a little less demanding than the Silverton route. You can ride the entire route, known as the San Juan Loop, and enjoy one of America's top ten scenic rides. Allow a full day and watch the time. Rain suit and jacket recommended. High mountain terrain.

Mesa Verde offers the greatest example of Anasazi cliff dwellings in the country. The park entrance is an easy 35 mile ride from Durango. Allow time for tours to the ruins. You can easily spend a couple of days in the park. Low mountain terrain.

Pagosa Springs is 60 miles east of Durango and takes you through rolling ranch country. Chimney Rock offers Anasazi ruins and is a short 5-mile detour off the highway. Pagosa is a small resort community and the gateway to the infamous Wolf Creek Pass. If you want to add another Colorado Pass to your collection, it is about 20 miles east of Pagosa and tops out at 10,850 ft. Bring rain gear. Rolling terrain. Wolf Creek is high mountain terrain.

We have several favorite routes depending on time available. If you have two days, the Lake City Loop is incredible. If you have four or five days, the Independence Pass route is one great road after another and endless photo opportunities. The ride on the north side of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison - accessed across Blue Mesa Dam is a great one. Continue up through Paonia to Carbondale on to Independence Pass for some more heart stopping scenery. Come see us or give us a call for suggestions.

Why not visit us during the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally and make a week out of it. Play at the rally. Ride the Train. Check out Mesa Verde National Park and ride all of the good roads in the area. We have copies of the ride map in the store. The map includes some coupons for restaurants in the region. Beat the heat. You probably have a dozen excuses, all of which can wait. Just Ride!

Riding the Rockies is both beautiful and invigorating, but mountain roads do require your full attention. Please ride carefully and consider the following suggestions:

  • Carry rain gear and a warm jacket. Elevation changes mean unexpected temperature and weather changes. Watch for rock fall debris in the road if you are riding just after a storm.
  • Watch for elk and deer along the roads in the morning and evening. They have not responded to our training efforts and are unpredictable.
  • Make sure your bike is in good running order including tire inflation and tread levels. Elevation changes of 5,000 feet will occur in a matter of a few miles. If you are riding across the hot summer desert to get here, make sure you have enough tread. It goes away faster than you expect when you are riding at freeway speeds in very hot weather. If your bike is not up to par, let one of our factory-trained technicians check it out before you ride.
  • Watch your gas. Thirty to fifty mile stretches without gas service are not uncommon. Gas mileage may decrease in the mountains.
  • Use summer sun protection. We carry a complete line of sunglasses to help protect your eyes. Sunscreen is highly recommended at these elevations.
  • Stop to enjoy the scenery. The high country is gorgeous, but the mountain roads require your full attention. Allow extra time to stop and enjoy the views.
Contact Us