- Created: August 5, 2023 9:59 pm
- Updated: November 9, 2023 5:19 pm
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 21 miles
- Time 36 min
- Speed 35 mph
- Min altitude 8146 ft
- Peak 11089 ft
- Climb 1991 ft
- Descent 3146 ft
The ever famous Million Dollar Highway runs between Silverton and Ouray, CO. You can run this in both directions, personally I think it's more fun from Ouray south but both ways have their merits. This road is firmly in the Intermediate category, while any street bike can handle it beginner riders should avoid this road. Not only is this section more technical related to the turns, very sheer drop offs with road sections right at the edge exist throughout this ride. A new rider should NOT attempt this, not because they might fall off the edge (hopefully not) but because they would be riding so slow and freaked out it would impede traffic. I have followed what I assume to be couple combos (separate bikes) on roads like these doing like 10 mph the entire time with one rider very much in over their head, not a great experience for anyone.
1. Million $ Hwy
The Million Dollar Highway stretches for about 25 miles (40 km) in western Colorado and follows the route of U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. It is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. Between Durango and Silverton the Skyway loosely parallels the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles (19 km) south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains.
Source: Wikipedia
The ever famous Million Dollar Highway runs between Silverton and Ouray, CO. You can run this in both directions, personally I think it’s more fun from Ouray south but both ways have their merits. This road is firmly in the Intermediate category, while any street bike can handle it beginner riders should avoid this road. Not only is this section more technical related to the turns, very sheer drop offs with road sections right at the edge exist throughout this ride. A new rider should NOT attempt this, not because they might fall off the edge (hopefully not) but because they would be riding so slow and freaked out it would impede traffic. I have followed what I assume to be couple combos (separate bikes) on roads like these doing like 10 mph the entire time with one rider very much in over their head, not a great experience for anyone.
