Entry No. 41 — the Durango file — filed under: outdoor
Ouray Perimeter Trail (Tunnel, Troll & Four Waterfalls)
Somewhere after the Box Canyon High Bridge, the trail dips into an old water tunnel blasted straight through the canyon wall — sensor-triggered lights flick on as you enter, narrow enough that you'll feel the rock on both sides. Under the next bridge over Oak Creek lives Twinkle, a troll sculpture that most people walk right over without looking down. Four named waterfalls and a rumored rocktopus hidden somewhere in the rock round out a 6.5-mile loop that never gets more than half a mile from the middle of town.
The story
Most mountain town trails lead you far away from civilization, but the Ouray Perimeter Trail does something stranger: it wraps around the rim of town, staying within half a mile of Main Street while feeling pinned against sheer rock faces. The real oddity happens after you cross the Box Canyon High Bridge. The path drops directly into a vintage water tunnel blasted through the canyon wall. Step inside and motion sensors trigger overhead lights, illuminating rock so narrow you can touch both sides with your elbows out.
If you keep moving toward Oak Creek, the trail hides its next secrets in plain sight. Most hikers stride right across the footbridge without glancing over the edge, completely missing Twinkle, a troll sculpture perched under the bridge deck looking back at you. Further along the 6.5-mile circuit—between four named waterfalls and steep cliffside ledges—lies a rumored rocktopus tucked into the rock face. It’s an open-air obstacle course filled with deliberate weirdness carved straight into the San Juan geology.
What it's like
Head to the Ouray Visitor Center at the northwest edge of town to park for free and grab the loop counterclockwise—this gets you into the blast-tunnel section early before foot traffic builds. The hike covers 6.5 miles with roughly 1,600 feet of elevation gain starting at 7,700 feet altitude, meaning it's a genuine workout with rocky scrambles and narrow two-way ledges. Outside peak summer, expect ice or snow patches along the shadowed canyon walls. Keep your head down at the Oak Creek bridge to spot the troll, and keep your eyes sharp along the rock faces for hidden art.
The move: Start at the Visitor Center, take the loop counterclockwise to hit the tunnel early, crouch under the bridge to find Twinkle, and let your date spot the rocktopus first.
📍 Before you go Free parking at the Ouray Visitor Center on the northwest edge of town — the recommended trailhead. Loop is 6.5 miles with ~1,600 ft gain starting at 7,700 ft; moderate-to-strenuous terrain with steep rocky sections. Tunnel passage is narrow (two-way but tight). Trail may be snow-covered or icy outside summer months.
- 📍 Ouray
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 1230 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427
Hours: Added 2026-06-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Wiesbaden Hot Springs Vapor Cave — After tackling 1,600 feet of steep canyon trail, walk a half-mile into town to soak in a 108-degree underground vapor cave hand-blasted by miners.
- Ouray Alchemist Museum — Trade outdoor ledge-walking for an obsessive collection of 19th-century pharmacy oddities tucked behind a Main Street shop half a mile away.
- Ironton Townsite — If you want more San Juan mining history after the trail's water tunnel, drive less than seven miles south to explore the quiet ruins of an 1883 supply town.
Good to know
Where is the best place to park and start the hike?
Park for free at the Ouray Visitor Center (1230 Main St), located on the northwest end of town, which serves as the official trailhead for the loop.
How hard is the Ouray Perimeter Trail?
It is rated moderate-to-strenuous. You will cover 6.5 miles and gain about 1,600 feet of elevation starting at 7,700 feet, over steep, rocky terrain and tight ledges.
Where is Twinkle the troll located?
Twinkle is mounted directly under the bridge crossing Oak Creek, just past the Box Canyon section. You have to look beneath the bridge deck to see him.
Can you hike the trail year-round?
While accessible year-round, conditions outside of summer often include packed snow and ice along steep canyon ledges, requiring traction devices or extra caution.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com · Official site · spokeandblossom.com · smalltownstops.com
last checked: 2026-06-21