The Mancos SPur is perhaps the premier highcountry trail Near the Mancos Valley
Beginning at nearby Mancos State Park just above the town, it continues for 23 ½ miles up to 12,000' in the High La Plata mountains, where it connects with the Colorado Trail. You can start your adventure in Mancos, and walk all the way to Durango or Denver! (Or even to Canada or Mexico, if you connect to the Continental Divide Trail.) The Spur was actually part of the Colorado Trail as it was originally conceived in the 1990s and is shown on original maps of the CT. If you're planning on a through-hike or ride of the CT, consider the Mancos Spur as an alternate start/end to your trail.
The Mancos Spur Trail supports multiple uses including hiking, backpacking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding and in the winter, snowshoeing. A few sections of the Spur allow two-wheel motorized uses, and one short segment is open to ATVs (and connects to the larger Aspen Loop ATV trail.)
The Mancos Spur Trail supports multiple uses including hiking, backpacking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding and in the winter, snowshoeing. A few sections of the Spur allow two-wheel motorized uses, and one short segment is open to ATVs (and connects to the larger Aspen Loop ATV trail.)
Segments of the Mancos Spur Trail are available for adoption! See our Trail Adoption page for more info!
Shuttle options are great way to enjoy the Spur. With five different trailheads (some of which require high-clearance and/or 4WD vehicles to access) and several other nearby access points, you can put together a shuttle-assisted trip of almost any length or difficulty. One great mountain bike option is to shuttle to the Sharkstooth Trailhead at 11,000' and ride back to Mancos, a descent of 4,000 feet! Be warned, though, that this is not an easy downhill cruise - it's quite technical and has some very steep sections.
For shorter trips, an out-and-back adventure is ideal. With so many access points available, there's an out-and-back hike or ride for all skill levels, at all elevations from aspen and ponderosa up to high alpine tundra.
Shuttle options are great way to enjoy the Spur. With five different trailheads (some of which require high-clearance and/or 4WD vehicles to access) and several other nearby access points, you can put together a shuttle-assisted trip of almost any length or difficulty. One great mountain bike option is to shuttle to the Sharkstooth Trailhead at 11,000' and ride back to Mancos, a descent of 4,000 feet! Be warned, though, that this is not an easy downhill cruise - it's quite technical and has some very steep sections.
For shorter trips, an out-and-back adventure is ideal. With so many access points available, there's an out-and-back hike or ride for all skill levels, at all elevations from aspen and ponderosa up to high alpine tundra.
