By the time we got to Montrose, Carrie and I had logged over 300 miles on our roller- coaster ride. Ready for some downtime, we got a room at the cozy Country Lodge, conveniently located next door to Buckaroos Slices and Scoops and a liquor store with ice- cold beer.
The next morning, we had an early breakfast and added an extra layer to fight off the morning chill. We rode due south on U. S. Route 550. After about 35 miles, we arrived at Ouray, a historic mining town tucked in the San Juan Mountains that’ s known as the“ Switzerland of America.” It’ s also the northern terminus of the Million Dollar Highway, a 25- mile stretch of U. S. 550 that connects Ouray to Silverton. How it came by that name depends on who you ask. Some says it cost a million dollars per mile to build, others say it’ s because of the gold and silver mines in the area or the million- dollar views, while others say,“ you couldn’ t pay me a million dollars to drive that road,” which can be treacherous, particularly in the winter.
However it came by its name, the Million Dollar Highway is one of the most scenic and challenging roads in Colorado.
From Ouray, we ascended quickly and leaned through a couple big switchbacks that indeed reminded us of riding in the Alps. We recommend stopping for a photo at the Switzerland of America Lookout Point.
Left: Ouray is at the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway. Right: Silverton is a colorful, historic former mining town in the San Juan Mountains.
The Million Dollar Highway is as epic as epic gets in terms of dramatic vistas, gracefully radiused switchbacks, and high passes, including Red Mountain( 11,018 feet), Molas( 10,910 feet), and Coal Bank( 10,640 feet).
Soon we arrived in Silverton, a former mining town that’ s a National Historic Landmark known for its colorful 19thcentury Victorian buildings. It’ s also a gateway to recreation in the San Juan Mountains. Train buffs should take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been operating since 1881 and runs along the Animas River between the two towns.
The last 50 miles of this ride is a smooth, graceful descent to Durango, an Old West city that’ s a great basecamp for riding in the Rockies. We recommend staying in the historic Strater Hotel, which is a short walk to bars, restaurants, shops, and the train depot. From Durango, it’ s about 50 miles to Mesa Verde National Park, 85 miles to Four Corners, and 165 miles to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Top: The steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Above: Durango’ s Strater Hotel opened in 1887.
RESOURCES:
• Colorado Tourism: Colorado. com
• Golden: VisitGolden. com
• Montrose: VisitMontrose. com
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: NPS. gov / blca
• Ouray: VisitOuray. com
• Silverton: SilvertonColorado. com
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: DurangoTrain. com
• Durango: Durango. org
• Strater Hotel: Strater. com
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / JULY 2026 / 53