Bear Creek Falls Reviews

Terrific hike/walk with smoothly graded wide trail that was well-marked (not sure how the reviewers complaining could be confused about where to do on this trail) with rewarding views nearly all the way up. For anyone coming from flatlands, this is a good, safe reality check on your acclimation to the altitude.

Even though it's a pretty easy/moderate short distance trail, still a good idea to pack enough water etc. to be prepared. Was surprised at the number of people heading up with little or no water.

Easy hike to get to right near the gondola in town. It is not too step, but goes up about 1000 feet. Was not too crowded. The falls are beautiful. Great way to enjoy the nature in the summer.

We had a great time hiking this trail with our family (three kids, two under 7, one teenager). Only hikers and some mountain bikers, no vehicle traffic. The falls are big and very refreshing at the end of the hike!

First of all, go early in the morning. We went at 7:30 on a Sunday morning and saw three other people on the way up. However, leaving the top at 9:30 I passed 50+ people on their way up which included bikes. So if you want a bit of solitude - go early. You can reach the trailhead by going to the end of South Pine street (which intersects Colorado Avenue). You'll have to park along the street and be careful not to park in "permit only" parking. There are condo's on the right of the trailhead but just head up the dirt road, past the gate.. this is the trail. No worries.

The trail itself is wide making it easy to navigate. Although the trail is mostly smooth especially in the lower half, expect some areas of rocks and roots that could trip you up if you're not careful. Not a big deal at all but I felt better using my trekking poles. It's 2.25 mile out and back trail (4.5 round trip) with an elevation gain from 8800 feet to 9800 feet and unless you're super fit and used to this type of elevation you will be huffing and puffing. So what? Stop for a bit, soak in the scenery and catch your breath. Look up.
Look back. Look around. This is supposed to be beautiful and enjoyable - not a race or a test of fitness - so give yourself a break and hike your own hike.

At between 1.5 and 2 miles up you'll see a waterfall off to your left and you'll be able to hear the roaring of Bear Creek and see it off and on as you ascend. A wee bit shy of 2 miles you'll pass a Cairn Village where people have stacked dozens and dozens of Cairns. Take a minute to walk around this area and admire some of the work before you press on to the top. The trail gets a bit narrower, a bit rockier and a bit steeper for the last quarter mile. Don't worry. The views are worth it. You'll pass the trail to Wasatch Trail on your right but keep going straight. The trail opens up to a nice meadow and a lower view of the falls. You can stop here but if you want a very close up view of the upper falls continue up for another couple of hundred feet.

I recommend the trail as a great way to acclimate to the elevation before doing more difficult trails... and what a beautiful way to acclimate!

Take your own water and trail mix. Don't forget your camera! I have done this hike many times; with my son when he was ages 6, up through present age of 17 and with friends of varying degrees of physical fitness. It's a lovely hike and can be done by nearly anyone who can walk easily on an uneven surface and for a long period of time (at least 2 hours) on their own. Parents can put their babies in a back carrier if they choose (we did when our son was an infant). Beware that there are inedible mushrooms around so know what you are harvesting or do not harvest!

My husband and I took our dog on this hike. We rode the Gondolas from the mountain Village parking lot to the Telluride town center. We walked along the river toward the town park and made a right on Pine street. It took us approximately 65 mins to reach the falls. We stopped and took many pictures along they way. It is quite a climb in altitude and very rocky terrain. I used a walking stick for balance especially at the top. It is worth the hike! The falls are magnificent and breathtaking. All my sore muscles were forgotten once we reached the top! It didn’t take as long to get back to town. We rode the Gondola back to our car. What a spectacular day!

Wonderful moderate hike up the canyon with a beautiful waterfall at the end of the canyon. The leaves were changing which made the experience even more beautiful. Easy to find trail. Have fun!

This hike is not for the out of shape. Take some bug spray, but once to the bottom of the falls makes everything worth while!

Greta hike, easily accessible from town. Its under 3 miles to the falls, depending on where you start the hike in town. Good for all age groups

Really nice hike. Wide trail that only narrows near the top. This was the easiest hike we did all week. Really lovely- partially shaded in areas. Beautiful area at top by waterfall. 5.3 miles with 1145' elevation.

By taking a short hike you can see beautiful falls. The hike is through mostly woods so you can do it mostly and time of day. There are a few meadows with gorgeous wild flower. you can walk up and touch the falls-photo opportunity!!!

This hike is a must-do if you love hiking. The hiking trail is really more like a wide path. It is not very challenging because there are no really steep parts. It does become rather rocky at points, but it's not a big deal. It's easily doable by families with kids of all ages. It is VERY busy in the summer (especially on the weekends) and we saw tons of families and there are many dogs on this trail too. That is fine, but there were a few times that we became a little jammed up. But the hike to the top of a spectacular waterfall is well worth it. Even before you reach the waterfall, the hike is amazing. There is one part where you go through an open meadow of sorts and the views of the canyons are incredible. I wouldn't miss it!!

We took the 5 year old on this hike... 3 miles in and what an amazing waterfall (and view). Well worth it if you are visiting Telluride.

This hike was beautiful the entire time! It is moderate to strenuous at times (a few steep parts but not anything you can't do in tennis shoes). It took us about 2 hours to do the round trip hike, which was perfect for our first full day in Telluride! The waterfall at the end feels refreshing!

Gradual incline, wide, nice trail. Climbs through the Aspen trees with a few crosses over water. Go all the way to the falls, don't stop early, or is totally worth it. 5 miles round trip, loved it!

We did quite a bit of hiking in Telluride and this hike is a must do. It is easy to get to at the edge of town and has spectacular scenery all the way. The hike is well marked and is shaded a good portion of the way which is nice in the heat of the summer months. Once you reach the falls, you'll cool off quickly when you are drenched by the spray. This is a great family hike at about 5 miles and rewards you the whole way with its beauty.

This is a nice hike especially for a flatlander. Loose rocks at several places and the beginning is a pretty steep incline. Good exercise and nice views at the top.

Beautiful Hike! About 1.5 hours to the falls on a well groomed gravel road. It is at altitude, so expect a little shortness of breath. Absolutely spectacular mountain scenery!

This is a great trail for families. It is not difficult, but of course if you are not used to the altitude you may need to take some breaks. The falls make for a great destination. Loved this trail.

The trailhead is right at the edge of town (it was a 12-minute walk from my hotel). Incline out, decline back. Took about 1 hour 20 minutes to get to the upper waterfall (I hike kinda slowly) and just over an hour back. I went very early (I was at the trailhead at 7:20am) and had the trail to myself. Also had the waterfall at the top to myself! Close enough to feel spray. I saw tons of people heading up as I was coming down. Lots of dogs (all were well behaved, but none were on leashes). I was pleasantly surprised that I only saw only 3 poop bags left on the trail (I expected way more).

This is a moderate hiking trail that is pretty much uphill only. However, you are rewarded with gorgeous views and a waterfall that is much bigger than you would think. Great, short, fast hike!

At 2.3 miles and not too steep inclines, this is a must-do hike for anyone wanting to do an acclimatizing hike in Telluride.

We wanted a hike where the trailhead was walking distance from town and easy to moderate and this fit the bill. It took us about three hours round trip, 4.8 miles. It seems to be what most people do first when they arrive to town. Lo

We decided to hike the ~2.5 mile hike to Bear Creek waterfall. At 73 it was quite the hike as we traversed the rocky trail for that 1,000 ft elevation change. Everyone on the trail said it was worth it and I can add, it was indeed true.

It is beautiful. We went in June 2017 and the falls were worth the two or three hour trek - round trip.

Family does this hike ever summer. Its fantastic, its not too hard have been on the hike with a young 5 year old. Awesome views.

This is a relatively easy trail - about 2.5 miles to the Falls starting at the end of S. Pine Street. The trail does climb most of the way but is not steep until very near the Falls. It is a beautiful hike and you can walk right up to the base of the Falls at the end. Go early to avoid the crowds since this trail is very popular.

This hike made me breathe deep while I took in the beautiful scenery and found gratitude for the life I’m given to be able to enjoy such an amazing excursion. I got a late start, perhaps 3ish, passed one guy about 15 minutes in, and never saw another soul. When the amazing falls came into sight, it was all I could do to keep from running to them, like a child. Magical ice sculptures! Aquamarine blue! I will take this hike again before I leave Telluride in a few days and I’d most definitely recommend it to others. Microspikes were very helpful for the conditions I encountered late in the afternoon on this spring day.

There are lots of "Bear Creeks" in Colorado. This trail starts in town and the reward is the two waterfalls at top. Oprah hikes here.

This is a pretty hike along Bear Creek that is 2.5 miles long (one way) if you go all the way to the base of the falls. The elevation gain for that distance is 1,200 feet. You don't need to go all the way but can stop at the big Boulder (can't miss it), which is 2.1 miles. From that point there are very pretty views both down the canyon and up to the falls.

This time of year (mid July) there were quite a few mosquitos, so I'd recommend using insect repellant. I suspect that by mid August there wouldn't be many bugs.

This is a very popular trail, so if you want to have the trail to you yourself, at least on the way up, you should start no later than 8:30 am.

In my opinion the trail isn't as pretty as Jud Wiebe, but it is somewhat easier because it isn't as steep.

Usually great hikes require long drives on mountain roads just to get to the trailhead. This one is a couple blocks from the Gondola station, and a couple from great breakfast places. You just walk past the end of Aspen Street.

Beautiful half day hike. This is one that starts off as a moderate climb through the aspen/spruce forest. No big deal for the first half mile or so.

Then things change.

You can hear the rushing water all the way up the hill, but then you come out of the trees to a view of majestic peaks with many waterfalls cascading from snow fields a few thousand feet above you.

That's the start.

An hour's climb brings you to the base of Bear Creek Falls. Beauty. Cool mist in your face. Cool rocks for sitting and contemplating whether you ever want to back to real life....

My advice: stay awhile.

Family w 2 teens did 3 mile hike in August. As experienced Colorado hikers, this is a great moderate hike with family. Gradual incline, shaded about half the time with spectacular views and a big waterfall at end. May be a tough hike for kids under 7, bring enough water if hot day. One of the best non-hard core hikes in all of Colorado!

This is a great hike for all ages and sizes. Hike all the way up to a really beautiful waterfall or make it yours and do what fits your time limits and physical ability.

This is a beautiful hike up a maintained path that is mostly in the shade so we didn't get too hot. It follows a charming river up the valley and at the end you get to see the falls.

We hiked to the frozen falls along a mostly frozen trail. Didn't get incredibly close as there were holes in the ice along the creek. Several folks ahead of us connected to the trail that leads up to Mtn Village and the pass. Would love to add on if more time. Nice views up and down this trail.

We got started on this trail at 9 am and pretty much had the trail (and the beautiful waterfall at the end) to ourselves. Also the bugs weren't bad at 9 am but they were bad coming down at 10:30/11. Definitely bring bug spray if you hike this in the summer! Our three kids (ages 9-12) loved this hike and we did it in 2.5 hours, which included a nice long stop at the falls.

We found this trail off our condo we were staying. It seemed very long hike but let me tell you is worth the hike. We loved it.

Was a great hike for our family. It was a wide trail that took us about 2 1/2hrs both ways. Gorgeous waterfall. It was little too hard for older couple in our group but fine for most.

This is an easy hike with the exception of the avalanche field about 2/3rds the way up. It's manageable but be careful. Your effort is well rewarded by the awesome scenery!

This is about a 5 mile roundtrip hike up a gentle slope. I would recommend going in the morning before the sun gets too intense. We are not experienced hikers so it took us about 3 hours to hike the whole thing with a 30 break at the top. The trail itself is wide and shady the whole way. I would recommend this to anyone as it is a great hike to not only see the falls, but also look down on the town of Telluride.

This is a hike well-worth the effort. This was our first one we did, and nothing else compared after. Great photo ops along the way and at the falls, too. Nice place for a picnic at the falls, too

All great hikes in Telluride are uphill, as is this one. But after 2 1/2 miles, you arrive at a beautiful set of waterfalls, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. One of the most beautiful view in the US.

My husband and I did this hike after a light snow (1-2 inches) the beginning of October, so we had snow and fall colors!! The trailhead is very near town, so you can easily walk to it. We are in decent shape and this was a challenge but definitely not difficult. You are gaining elevation the whole way to the falls which makes for an easy trek down. You spend a fair amount of time hiking in the trees but it opens up to fantastic mountain views and the falls are amazing as well. You will hit a smaller falls, but keep going to see the large falls.

This was an OK hike. We are not hikers. Lots of people along the road that takes you up to the falls. Not much of a fall, but nice enough. Beautiful mountains surround you. Trail is rocky and wide.

My wife and I always take our first hike of our trips on Bear Creek. The people you meet are wonderful, and the view at the end of the walk is absolutely stunning!

The local map says that it is 5 miles round trip with a 1700 ft elevation change. But the views of the falls and the views back towards town are well worth it.

Medium hike with beautiful views. Took longer than expected with my son on my back in a rented backpack. I would leave from town by 8:00am if with kids. Bring lunch and water because you might go slower than you think. We loved it.

This is a 2.5 mile hike up to the falls. It's a gradual climb until the last bit but the trail is well defined. The views are spectacular. We were a bit early for full fall colors but Aspen were turning a bit. It is a good rise in elevation, so if you are coming from sea level, pace yourself. Bring water, wear sunscreen and layers and enjoy yourself.

One of the tougher hikes we’ve been on in recent years. The hike is long for us. We’re three-mile hikers (generally we seek out easy to moderate hikes that are about 3 miles long). This one is about 4 ½ miles. And a bit steep. Until the end, the trail is mostly an old road, nice and wide. But rocky most of the way up. The beginning is rather steep. The majority is uphill all the way, with a bit of an incline. Then, the end! Well, I’m glad we could see the falls in places. That spurred us on. The trail became quite narrow, far steeper with numerous rocks along the way. It was huff and puff time. But we got there. And the falls? Marvelous! Lots of water cascading down a sheer rock face. Lots of spray and mist. We really liked the falls. A lot of work, but worth it.

This hike started out a little noise with the town being so close by but once you turned into the canyon the nature noises start to come out. The hike was a little strenuous for us but it is a wide road the whole way up, nothing to worry about in terms of drop offs unless you get too close to the edge. The trail was a little muddy but not too bad. The falls were beautiful in their own way. To me the views and tranquility on the way up were in some ways better than the final destination. This is our third waterfall hike in Colorado and while our favorite was Fishcreek in Steamboat, they are all beautiful in their own way. The meadows on the way were filled with dandelions and the snow covered mountains made a great backdrop. It reminded me of the Sound of Music. There is no parking at the trailhead and it is hard to find a place in town, so be aware of that.

Beautiful hike and well worth the journey. It was fun seeing all the cairns too! I placed my rock while out there. Great photo opportunities too!

Afte a big morning breakfast this was a perfect 2.5 mile (each way) hike. The trail was wide and The scenery was magnificent. There were a few places to cool your feet in the stream and the waterfall at the end was absolutely beautiful.

My husband and I didn't do the hike (I didn't actually even know there was a hike), but we stopped at the pull off on the Million Dollar Highway to see the falls from above. It was pretty with a beautiful light blue pool at the bottom. What made this stop even more interesting, though, was the fact that just across the valley was the Uncompahgre River (I believe), which was the weirdest (and yet really amazing) shade of yellow/orange! A woman who overheard my husband and I wondering out loud mentioned that is because of run off from the local mines. That made for a unique stop.

Mostly uphill on the way up but beautiful
The slope is mostly gentle so not too strenuous fall colors were jus starting they are really late this year

These trails are spectacular and the views are breathtaking.
It took us about 4 hours to make it to the waterfall (which is definitely worth the climb) and we are NOT fast hikers.
The trails are WIDE, well groomed, EXTREMELY clean and offer such beautiful views you will be stopping to take pictures OFTEN!
I have made the hike twice now and would easily do it again.
WARNING: It is VERY steep in parts, especially as you get within a 1/4 mile of the falls. But push through it... you'll be glad you did!

Can't miss with a short walk to Bear Creek Falls. Located just east of the Town campgrounds. While still very near Telluride center you feel like you're in another world.

This is one of the many reasons to come to Telluride... It is a great hike and like all of this part of Colorado, so beautiful...

Have been to Telluride a few times but never had done this hike. Now that this is my second home, I've been exploring more each time I'm here.

Did this hike with some friends and we had a great time. The hike is easy really, with mostly wide passages with just a short distance of narrow passages. The views are beautiful as you go up, but the view does get obscured by vegetation, but that's ok, as you'll come to an area of what it looks like an outdoor museum. Someone started to build rock towers, like pagodas, and it's now an attraction, as most people who goes by will build one of their own, so a good place to stop, build your own and take in the scenery as it is very relaxing, taken there's no loud people around you.

We were there in October, though the weather was considerably nice, the shady areas gets chilly, so the traditional layering is suggested. We had a little lunch by the falls. Keep it simple, fresh fruit, power bars, etc. and of course,always take water.

Not sure about parking, but I believe is off street parking. We walked/gondola all the way there from Mountain Village. Enjoy your hike!

We hiked directly from town and above-freezing temps. By the end of the 1,000 foot climb, it was frozen, snowy and icy. Come prepared even if the weather in town is warmer! Somewhat well-marked, one fork led us to the wrong location but we got right back on track after realizing our mistake. Especially with fresh snow at the top, was a little difficult to get to the base of the falls, but once we were there, 100% worth it. Amazing views of the mountains in the distance, water still running while the majority was frozen.

This cannot be an accident -- as we always use the bear creek as the warm up hike after we arrive in Telluride. It is a beautiful hike, a little hard, if this is the first day you land in this height, at 9000 feet up. The overall hike isn't that tough, about 5+ miles, with 1200 feet elevation, mostly good trial surface.

I had it in the dry weather and in the rain, gives you very different perspectives of the hike. My advise is that, don't rush it, enjoy the scene, listen, look, and relax.

Bear Creek Falls trail starts on the south side of Telluride and climbs up into a side canyon on its way to the falls. While the trail is moderately steep, it is not so steep as to require switchbacks and is wide enough to walk abreast, pass people. You can still see where an avalanche took out a large area of trees several years ago, enjoy the sounds of nature and the stream while you take a leisurely hike.

Although we did not drive up or hike to the falls- the view from the bottom is incredible. You apparently don't need an all wheel drive car to get up to the highest falls - just take your time. Enjoy a stroll down main street - the views from all spots in town are beautiful!

Beautiful hike through amazing aspens and meadows and streams.... and then you see it and get all excited!!!! The view is amazing and the waterfall is stunning. Hardest part is figuring out where to park.

This hike is so easy to get to from downtown Telluride. The path is shaded the whole way, with gorgeous views at every turn. Getting to the falls makes the trek up worth it. Not too difficult of a hike - the path is very clear.

According to the pamphlet given out by Telluride, this is an "easy" hike. I wouldn't call it easy. It's around 5 miles round trip, and the first half is uphill. For those of us who live at sea level, the uphill-ness is pretty intense. I used hiking poles, and I'm glad I did, especially for the last bit that is loose rock with a steep grade. With our 6 year old, it took us 3 hours to do the hike round trip. She was bored after about the first mile (and this is from a kid who hiked 12 miles a day in Arches for 3 days without a peep). We went to the top of the falls, and it was lovely but probably not in my top 10 list of waterfalls.

They have added a platform here over the years that lets you walk out over the falls for some dramatic views! The scenery around you is wonderful, and the falls go right under to road!!! I love stopping here.

This is a beautiful hike with the best surprise at the top!!! The waterfall is over the top great... it’s not an easy hike but so worth it.

We did all three waterfall hikes while visiting telluride and this was my all time favorite. There was a steep incline almost the entire way up. So if u have bad knees, u have been forewarned. The pay off at the end was completely worth it. The view along the way was beautiful. You could see the mountains and also the meadows. Definitely a must do hike! We spent about 3 hours round trip.

Great hike relatively easy. About four miles round trip. Still lots of snow and the falls are frozen but it’s beautiful!

I am an avid walker, so my daughter knew I would want to go on a hike during my recent trip to visit her in Telluride. This is a top notch hike! You will want to be dressed appropriately, with either hiking shoes, trail shoes, or athletic shoes, since you are on a constant incline and the trail is stone filled and root filled. Bring bug spray, since there are areas where insects are annoying. And, of course, wear sunglasses! The views along this trail are beautiful, and the area where the avalanche recently hit was super interesting. My daughter brought a light weight blanket, and at the crest in the mountain before the final trek to the waterfall, we stopped and had a banana and drank water. Bring a large water bottle and drink often. You will love this hike!

We thought this hike was a great way to kick off our Telluride stay. The trail head is immediately adjacent to downtown. The hike is relatively easy; we met a family with a four year old who hiked it himself. There are some slippery sections I used a walking stick and it did help. If you haven’t walked 4 miles or so recently or not in fair cardio shape Think twice about doing it. It’s easy but getting up to the falls is about a 1000 foot vertical climb. We went early to beat the afternoon rain and suggest starting sooner rather than later. Update to a comment; the trail has been cleared where the rockslide occurred so no issues passing. Bring; water, bug spray, snack and poncho or rain gear. Absolutely beautiful scenery you won’t be disappointed.

This is a not-too-tough, not-too-easy hike up to a gorgeous waterfall with some incredible views along the way. Kiddos will be fine, but bring a lot of water and snacks to handle the elevation gain.

An excellent first adventure. Lovely to walk along the creek. All the wildflowers were in bloom when we were there. The broad path follows the Bear Creek which you can hear as you walk. The falls are a great treat when you get there after a hot walk.

This is regarded as a "must-do" hike if visiting Telluride, and with some pretty good reason. It's an out-and-back hike - about 2.5 miles each way - with one HUGE change from past reviews and descriptions.

A massive avalanche this winter has created an enormous debris field about 3/4 of the way into the hike, which means free-lancing across the devastation of downed trees, flattened brush, etc., until you can pick the trail back up again a few hundred yards ahead. It's not too onerous, though it was helpful to be able to follow others as part of the trail is hidden and requires going over and under trees, avoiding lots of sharp branches and exposed shard limbs. Seeing the carnage, honestly, was also just a moment of realizing how completely violent and powerful nature can be when it wants to be.

A fair amount of the route up to the falls is also still covered in snow (as of early June, '19), which isn't a big deal - but just makes for some slippery footing in spots.

Along the trail up to the falls are some absolutely incredible vistas, with several 13K peaks rising up on both sides. Though listed as a easy/moderate hike, it's also worth noting that elevation change up to the falls is more than 1000 feet in a little over two miles, which is a significant upward pitch on the in-hike. That said, only a few places are really steep (including one challenging stretch after the debris field and close to the falls themselves), but just don't go in thinking this is a flatland hike. No surprise, it's a much easier coming out than going in, and - at least on the day we ventured up the trail - you can expect to have a fair number of people with you as you ascend or descend.

Not earth-shattering, but a hike like this means you should pack water and/or a snack. With the debris field layered in to the process, it's a 2-2.5 hour round trip.

Easy enough to find parking somewhere toward the south end of Pine Street, and then get hoofing.

We did this hike the first day in Telluride and it was a great way to start our exploration of the Telluride trails. There is a lot to see, especially if you take a few detours down to the river on the way up to the falls. Once you get to the falls, the view of the valley and the falls are awesome.

We hiked to Bear Creek Falls on a day when it was too cold to spend time on the ski lifts. We knew hiking would get our blood flowing and keep us warm and it did. We did it without snowshoes which was fine for the first mile and a half but it got deeper on the last section of the trail. If I had to do it again I would get snowshoes if hiking in January or February. We kind of lost the trail near the falls and the snow actually got so deep there that my husband sank into a drift to his waist. The hike to the falls is a gradual uphill all the way, but the scenery and natural beauty are wonderful.

If you enjoy walking along a weedy rocky road with weedy trees and flies then this trail is for you. Mediocre falls at the end, sure there is a bit of a mountain view but you can see this from the road. Not worth the effort.

moderately strenuous. You climb from the edge of town up about 1500 feet to a nice waterfall. The mountain views were spectacularly, particularly with the blazing yellow aspens in October

Great trail
Beautiful waterfall. The trail is a good few hours from start to finish. Incredible views of the valley, wildlife, and the incline isn't to bad.

Easy going, well maintained trail that starts in town. Can be pretty crowded-which I think can be annoying or can be a new opportunity to strike up a conversation with people. You might be amazed who you will meet on this trail.

With each step, the hiker leaves the cares of city life and human stresses behind, and enters the world of Nature. Allow the rocks and trees, wildflowers and butterflies, and the sound of Bear Creek to bring you back to Center. The trail can be steep, enjoy the rock cairn "art" about half way up. Once at the trail's end, the hiker is rewarded with a gorgeous waterfall, the perfect spot to celebrate the journey and this beautiful place.

Great for kids and adults. The trail is wide. Bring a raincoat, water and snacks.

Ok I am from Brooklyn and even though I walk a TON this was insane! Everyone states- You MUST do this trail. So we did. It was worth it at the end but I tell you, between the altitude, flies, and heat I really wanted to give up. Luckily I have an ego that made me get to the top :) Kudos to those trail runners! I guess, I would do it again...

Well marked trail, close to town, great payoff scenery along the way and at the top. Highly recommended.

This is a good hike. Just long enough to get the blood pumping and the sweat dripping. Bring some water. Some snacks. Don't expect cell service up there so be careful. Go the extra 15 minutes to the falls, its cooler there and worth it.

I live at sea level so I took my time on this hike. The trail head in town starts at 9000' and acsends to 10,000' at the waterfall. It's a bit rocky and wide at the beginning. The last 100 yards gets narrow and steep. I took 3 hours to complete the round trip. It was less crowded earlier in the morning but as I returned to town there were more hikers. The view is worth it and the cool spray from the waterfall is a nice reward. There are some cut outs from the main trail to get away from the the ascent or decent. The lower part of the climb is along a river.

One of the classic hikes, lots of people in all modes (running, walking, young kids, older people - all around). Worth the hike and well worth the view and rest at the top near the falls - a must do in Telluride

Do not miss this trail of you go to telluride!!! It is worth the 2 hr hike!!!! Some views on this hike are even more beautiful then the views from town. Worth every minute!

The trail to Bear Creek Falls is a gradual climb on a wide path. It’s a constant uphill for the entire length which, imo, keeps it from being an easy hike. The only steep, hard part is the last 100 yards or so. Path is much steeper and narrower. You will have to climb over fallen trees, large rocks, etc. There is not a single bench the entire length. Also very few good rocks or tree stumps to give you a place to rest. Views of the falls and the microclimate flora there are worth the effort. 1 hour to get back. Time to get up depends on your speed and number/time of any rest stops.

I always hike this trail when I'm in Telluride. It is easily accessed from Pine Street in Telluride. Portions of the trail are along a river, and the destination is a waterfall at the top. There is an area where people leave cairns. Take bug spray because there are always mosquitos.

Hike up from town, wear good shoes, and take the dogs!. Bring along a picnic, and prepare for a restful stop at the falls! (Don't forget to pick up after the dogs, and pack out your picnic!)

What a great hike for all. A little tricky at the top but you're greater by a cool breeze from the mist of the falls. Get it and get wet or just look at it.

Easy hike, even in winter with snow packed. Can access from end of South Pine. No need to get on Rt 550.
Gradual climb until the last 1/8 mile then more strenuous. Take trekking poles if snow and you need to stabilize yourself on way down. It can be slightly icy.
Frozen falls are pretty. 1.5 to 2 hour RT.

Bear Creek trail is one of Telluride’s most popular trails. Easy and short hike, family friendly, with gorgeous views. If you r in Telluride u just must take this trail.

Nice morning climb to the falls! It was a warm day, but cool in the mostly shaded trail.
Saw many families with young children, so a doable hike by all!
Also ran into an older woman that had had a hip replacement! We were 3, 50ish year old women. We did take a few "altitude oxygen breaks" to catch our breath. Well worth the climb as the falls were beautiful as was the vista when you looked behind at the top.

I am so surprised that this hike was rated as easy as it was definitely not for us (we came from sea level so the altitude was no joke!). But the views were wonderful and I am glad that we didn't turn around. We saw only a couple of other people on the trail and were the last people to finish the trail just before sunset.

You can walk to this trail from anywhere in town. We did this hike the 2nd day in Telluride after flying in from Florida. It was not easy! It was steep and rocky in places. Make sure to wear good boots or trail runners. The bugs are out of control so make sure to bring bug spray! Also, wear sunscreen. The falls were gorgeous but crowded. We ran most of the way down. It was easier and quicker.

It's rated as 'easy', but you do need to be in reasonable condition, especially taking the altitude into consideration. There are many beautiful mountain vistas in addition to the falls.

Moderate to hard for a 76 year old. Gradual but constant ascent. 1000 ft plus elevation gain. Rocky and a few minor water crossings. Start out early — we started at 8 AM. It was very busy by 10:30 AM. Nice waterfall but final ascent can be tough. Lots of dogs— off leash.

Amazing views towards the end; wonderful, moderate hike well worth the time. Streams were running high, crossed several snow bridges that enhanced the outing.

A beautiful hike just outside of town; take the trail a couple of miles and you will reach the falls. Our path was wet and snow covered in places. The snow and ice increased as you got closer to the falls, but we didn't need crampons, etc. Take your time and be careful by the falls. Bridal Veil Falls are taller with more water, but Bear Creak Falls span out horizontal along the rock face, which make them look more impressive with all the icicles. On the trail, keep your eyes out for porcupines and mountain lions and make yourself heard. Enjoy the wonderful nature!

Great, moderate hike to the falls! Amazing scenery all around! Make sure you go all the way to the top ... it's totally worth it!

This is a super hike to a beautiful waterfall. Trail is in good shape - watch for rocks but still a great hike. Lots of people and dogs - great fun.

What a great hike! If you can make the time to do this you should. It took us a little over two hours round trip. About 5 miles. The only negative thing was the flies. They were out in full force. You may want to use a repellent.

We had adults and children ages 7-12.
We made it! I wouldn’t say this hike was easy but if you take your time and are at least a little in shape, you’ll be fine!
The hike is 99% up hill.
We hiked 1.5 hours up. When you get to the huge bolder and you think your done...don’t stop!!! Keep going up the trail to the waterfall!! If you can touch the waterfall you know you are at the top!

Don’t quit. The last hike up to the waterfall is worth the hike!!

Took us 30/45 minutes to get down to the trailhead.

This is a great hike that starts at the end of the street in Telluride. It is a wide open trail, with beautiful scenery and the waterfalls at the end of the trail are gorgeous. Plenty of people of all ages make this hike including, kids and dogs on the leash. It's my favorite hike in Telluride!

We visit Telluride every summer and always hike this trail. It is a relatively easy hike and the falls and the views at the top are spectacular. Average round-trip is about three hours or so, depending on how slow you take it.

Pack some water and a lunch, and be prepared for varying weather conditions along the way.

The hike is about 2.5 miles uphill. Bring lots of water (we went through about 6-8 bottles for 4 people). Bring a small snack for when you get to the top. The uphill hike is not a walk in the park but it was worth it to get within feet of the falls and feel the cool water spraying on your face. Awesome pictures. Wear a hat, bring sunscreen and wear sturdy shoes-some areas are rocky. The hike took us about 2.5 hours round trip. Coming down is MUCH easier than going up. Once you get to the big rock, keep going up the little trail to get close to the falls.

We had a great walk up to these beautiful falls. The round trip was 4.8 miles. The scenery was spectacular.

In the heart of Telluride access several mountain hikes. Bear creek is gorgeous and the treat at the end is the hike to the falls

This was a very scenic hike, with the trailhead conveniently located right in town. Wasn't sure if I would need snowshoes or not. Kinda wish I had had them, as I fell through numerous times, but it was such a pleasant outing anyway. Seems like it might be tough for people not used to altitude but you can certainly rest as needed. Falls were still frozen during my visit but still a beautiful way to spend a couple of hours this afternoon!

The Bear Creek trail leaves right out of South Pine Street and isn't as vertical as most hikes around. It's a wide trail and does have quite a bit of water on it so waterproof boots are suggested. At the end of the trail you have a spectacular waterfall which you can walk into if you want to experience how cold water can take your breath away!

We enjoyed our hike up to Bear Creek Falls. About 5 miles round trip. There are some great views on the way up, but the best is at the top with the falls. The trail is pretty good and wide and felt like there was plenty of space to pass people.

We hiked up the trail in June to get to the Falls. Water surged down the mountain. Along the way we saw where an avalanche had flattened part of a forest, and slipped our way across a small snow field. The Falls themselves were very impressive, and you can get quite close. Along the trail we saw people with kids and dogs, and the trail is not super challenging, though still fun.

Easy road hike up and the falls are pretty. Easy access from town so made it a good morning hike. Not a trail - more of a road. Easy to moderate hike

Loved this hike. Super accessible right at the end of town. Great for kids, challenging but not hard. Perfect for our young family.

Not to hard but great hike right from town. This is a must do hike while visiting Telluride. The only hike that beats this one is the hike to the top of Ajax.

This is a very manageable hike for virtually all abilities. It took us about 3 hours round trip and we took several stops for photos and side jaunts. There's an amazing rock cairn "garden" on the way up. Be sure to stop and take in the beautiful artwork (or even add to it!). Then there are the falls... absolutely gorgeous! You can peer from a distance or get up close for a refreshing mist.

We also hiked Bridal Veil, Jed Weibe, San Miguel River, all of which were pretty, though Bear Creek was the highlight. It's a must hike and a great place to have a picnic once at the falls.

This is a nice easy hike in the summer time and bring a picnic . It's not very steep and the falls are great for picture taking . Lots of bird watching as well .

Fabulous hike through scenic area with a frozen falls at the end. We witnessed two small avalanches across the canyon from where we were hiking, so we were safe from it.

The hike up is pretty lame..on a road. We reached the first clearing and ditched the trail. The kids bouldered for a while on this HUGE rock. Then we jumped into the water and climbed, waded up towards the falls. We were not able to make it all of the way to the falls, but we had WAY more fun in the water than on the road.

An uphill hike to the Falls. Very scenic but lots of insects so bring repellant. An excellent place for stopping and having some wine and cheese (but you have to bring it:)

Beautiful cool morning for the supposedly
“ easy” hike to Bear Creek Falls. Gradual assent/ a little flat/ more assent. Once you get to the huge boulder at the falls there is a rather steep scramble up rocks but the end view is worth it all. Plenty of spots to relax, eat a snack, take some pictures and head back down - the easy part.

Hike is mostly uphill on your way to the falls, and well worth it! Moderately traveled, with plenty of nice folks and dogs sharing the path. Wide path, great views, worthwhile hike!

Great for a hot day because there's lots of shade and it's not steep. Cool "garden" of cairns midway along the trail.

This is a moderate 4 mile (round trip) hike up a nice gulch to the falls. Some nice views across the valley on a well maintained trail will keep you interested, I'd allow 2-4 hours to complete the walk. The falls are lovely - bring your camera. With a trailhead right in Telluride this is a ridiculously popular hike - leave early or expect to share the walk with a procession of visitors. Best suited for visitors - anyone who lives in Colorado would find this trail overcrowded. There are other options in and around Telluride that offer great scenery and some of the solitude that makes the high country so special.

The hike to Bear Creek Falls leaves right from the edge of Telluride. It's not too strenuous, quite a bit of uphill going in but the path is wide and smooth, no real rugged terrain. We did it as our first hike, when we were not yet used to the altitude, and even though the hike is rated "easy" we were pretty winded at times. Your reward at the end is a close-up view of the beautiful falls, but the entire hike is really stunning. Highly recommended family hike. Note - when you get to the end there is a big rock with a great view of the falls; you can stop there, but a smaller, steeper path takes you the rest of the way up so you are right at the base of the falls.

Rated as intermediate, I’d say it’s a bit tough due to the length and incline along the way as well as adjusting to high altitude (we did this the day after our arrival to Mountain Village), especially if you go beyond the gigantic boulder at the end and climb the trail to the right to get closer to the waterfalls. My hiking sticks saved my knees and irrevocably helped me complete the approximate 5.2 mile hike back to the starting point at the end of Pine St./river. Bear Creek was definitely one of my family’s favorite hike among the many excursions. It was relatively “easy” for my teen son, but there was some huffing on my part. Take as many breaks as needed, bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen and mosquito repellent, and pace yourself—it took my family about 4 hours with plentiful picture-taking. Wondrous views of verdant trees and greenery, scattered along the never ending San Juan mountains, and the peaceful, rushing river along the way all made an unforgettable impression for us all.

Beautiful hike with gorgeous views. About 4 mile round trip. Steep enough for a good workout. Would not advise for those not acclimated to the high altitude.

What I love about Telluride is you can do a wide variety of outdoor activities without an auto. Our hike in snow up Bear Creek Falls was a clear sky, cold but good snow on the ground. We passed folks with dogs as well as back area skiers at the final leg of coming down the wild face that ends at the trail. Of course the best part is at the end you just step into the pub ( Smugglers ).
Fun, exhilarating. One of the many reasons to spend time in Telluride!

Beautiful hike to the falls. Lots of wildflowers still in bloom. The falls were beautiful. We went early in the morning and it was so peaceful.

This hike was a great first hike for us during our first visit to Telluride. We haven't been exercising as much as usual in the last few months due to a very difficult family loss, so this was a perfect re-introduction into the benefits of healing with endorphins. Hope to return in the next year and enjoy it again.

Being a flat lander, I wouldn’t call this an easy trail. This trail is rated Moderate on the Alltrails app and I’d say that’s pretty accurate. I was able to make it up with multiple stops on the way up as I’m not in the best cardio condition. It was worth the effort though. Lots of beautiful spots to take photos. Going down was easy as it is pretty much all down hill. I’m glad we did the trail and made it to the falls.

My husband and I were looking forward to this hike based on reviews, but sadly, I can't muster a lot of enthusiasm for it. Part of my issue was elevation; part was the fact that while on the trail to the falls, there isn't much scenery because you are amongst the trees so there aren't many opportunities to enjoy mountain views. The elevation caused me to stop before I viewed the falls, but my husband continued on. I suppose we are a bit jaded due to some of the more spectacular waterfalls we've seen, but he wasn't impressed either. Of course, the volume of water at the falls could be weather related so if you re in Telluride, give this hike a try.

We really enjoyed this hike. It is a bit tough if you’re not from Colorado, but we’re glad we stuck with it and went all the way to the falls.

Telluride is becoming one of our favorite getaway spots in CO. This little gem of a hike was so fun and gorgeous that we did it back to back mornings on our most recent visit.

Bear Creek trail is one of those gems that are so great when you find them. It's not terribly long, maybe 2.5-3 miles each way, and extremely beautiful. A not-to-be-missed part of any trip to Telluride.

Wonderful hike right out of town to beautiful waterfall. Spectacular views back down-valley, especially in fall colors. Whimsical collection of "ducks" (stacked-rock trail markers used on bare rock when trails are not visible) about 2/3 of the way up. Add your own. All uphill to waterfall but not strenuous. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (I saw a weasel and a cougar track). Be sure your camera battery is charged and that you have plenty of memory for photos.

Everything in Telluride is within walking distance! Rented a pair of snow shoes at the sport store on main street (a.k.a Colorado Avenue) and then walked 3 blocks south to S. Pine Street and there is the sign to Bear Creek Falls. The view is just so gorgeous all the way up. I went there on the Christmas week and everything was covered by snow. The hike is not too strenuous even in winter - the hikers before me had left a nice trail with packed-down snow. The hike is 2.3 miles up (4.6 miles roundtrip) to the waterfall, but I didn't make it that far because I was getting worried about whether I could make it back in the daylight and it was super cold that day. Bear Creek snowshoeing is a great addition to my ski trip in Telluride.

This is a moderate out and back right from downtown Telluride. The water fall and stream is a sight to see and well worth the elevation to trek.

The bear creek falls hike was on our 'to-do' list when we visited Telluride for the 4th of July weekend. When we enquired about this hike from other visitors in town, all of them recommended this hike to us. It is a bit of a climb if you're not used to hiking at this elevation but the hike has lots of shaded areas where you can stop to catch your breath. It runs in parallel to the creek and there a some spots where you can dip your feet in the water as well. It is definitely worth going all the way up to the top. Don't miss this if you are in town!

Just go east on the River Trail through Telluride and you will find this easy road like trail. Leisurely and shaded mostly.

Great hike... considered easy (lucky for me!) and has fabulous views at many turns/spots along the trail. The falls are worth the hike!

The hike to Bear Creek Falls is listed as easy, but as someone who lives at sea level, I have to say it is work for me to make this climb. The trail is well maintained, but it is a climb in elevation. Worth the work, and if it's too much to get all the way to the falls, enjoy the hike for as far as you can go!

Awesome hike and scenery! Waterfall was incredible! However, ironically enough we did come face-to-face with a massive brown bear near the trailhead on our way down. Luckly he was pretty calm and was easily scared off up the mountainside by 2 dogs.

Absolutely beautiful! So worth the hike. I would call this a moderate hike not easy. Elevation gain of just over 1000 ft . You can get right next to the waterfall and feel the much wanted mist on your face after this hike uphill. This is a must do!

This is truly recommended if you enjoy a medium hike. The trail is 2 miles up and 2 miles down and beautiful waterfalls at the end of the trip. Great scenery all alone the way.

Bear Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall just outside Telluride. Bear Creek Preserve Trail is one of Telluride's most popular trails. It is a wide-open trail, with beautiful scenery. The beautiful and well-marked wooded trail ends in a magnificent set of waterfalls and an unbeatable view of the town of Telluride.

This trail is right off Pine Street. For a flatlander it was a little strenuous, but very worthwhile.

What a beautiful surprise when you get to the waterfall, so peaceful!! I had to do it again, many times over!! My pups loved it!!

Awesome hike with stunning vistas. 5 mi round trip. Steady uphill to waterfall, grade very consistent, not overly strenuous, no scrambling required. We hiked in Feb, in nice weather ( if icy may not be safe). Waterfall frozen for us, beautiful hike!! Super easy access from Telluride town, well marked

Beautiful hike & easy to get to from town of Telluride. The Falls at the end are beautiful. Always try to head out in the morning to avoid the afternoon showers.

Did this today. It's an incredibly well maintained and, in most parts, wide trail. I had read several posts as to the varying opinions on the difficulty of the hike, from easy to very hard. I think it all depends on your fitness level and how used to altitude you are. I will say the first 1/4 mile is a steady climb out of town, from there it is still generally uphill but there are some flat spaces and generally speaking I'd say not as steep.

The falls are very beautiful as is the scenery along the way. Very well trafficked, with lots of dogs. Very awesome cairn garden about 3/4 in to the hike. Overall a great experience, we went very slow and spent about 30-40 minutes at the falls and completed the hike in a little over 4 hours.

Great hiking or running trail right from town, with lower and upper falls. I used as workout during music festival, and you can hear the music from the trail.

At the end of a street is the beginning of a nice trail. The trail is well maintained and a good start for a beginner. The falls at the end are a nice cool relief

Probably my favorite hike in Telluride! Not too vertical and great for dogs with a wide path. Beautiful falls at the top and can hike further up from there!

This is quite a long hike to the falls themselves - I believe it is rated at 4 miles but a couple of the party tracked the distance and said it was quite a bit further. Bear Creek falls are lovely when you get there but there may be better trails around - Eider Creek Trail doesn't have the spectacular Falls but does give a real sense of the wilderness with beautiful Aspens, flower meadows and mountain views

Easily accessed from town of Telluride. Beautiful waterfall. moderate to easy hike. Can do a long hike or shorter hike via this trail.

Wonderful scenery and the waterfall is beautiful!!! Hike is about 4 miles round trip and I would rate it as a moderate hike.

This was one of our favorite hikes during our 17-day trip to southwest Colorado. The trailhead was only a six-minute walk on level ground from our hotel. At the trailhead we saw a sign about precautions to take in bear country. Although the elevation gain was 1,050 feet, the hike seemed easier because the incline was gradual and the path was a dirt road rather than a narrow trail. Along the way we explored an open area referred to as Cairn Park because of many cairns there.

We stopped at Lower Bear Creek Falls and then continued to Upper Bear Creek Falls on a steep and narrow trail. The last leg of the hike was worth the effort. We sat on a large boulder in front of the waterfall and enjoyed a picnic lunch while feeling the mist. After an hour at this romantic setting, we headed back. It took us 2 ¼ hours to hike up and one hour and ten minutes to hike down. The 5-mile trail is described as easy in the hiking brochure.

This is a great hike - it's steep at the beginning but levels off frequently. It's also shaded in places if you need to rest. There's places along the way to have a picnic by the water. Great views all around as you go up. Enjoyed it!

This hike has some of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL views on the planet but the first 1/4 mile of the trail smells like a DOGGY TOILET!!! It's truly disgusting! I spent a good part of the first part of the trail dodging dog doo.
It was NOT pleasant.
Florida banned dogs from its beaches for this very reason, and if people can't be responsible for picking up after their pets maybe Telluride should ban them from their trails.
But once you get past the first part the walk is glorious... (it's just a good thing that you can only see my beautiful pictures and not smell them)
Be sure you go all the way to the falls. You will be glad you did!

We hiked this trail on a beautiful day. It’s about 2.2 miles up and while very wide, it does increase in elevation. The falls were pretty, but we hiked to others that were a shorter hike and prettier.

This is a fabulous hike, but be forewarned, it is pretty much up hill the whole way. The falls made the effort worthwhile! You can get up very close to the falls, which makes the destination even more desirable.

This was an awesome hike that is located right in the heart of Telluride. My wife and I had our 6yr old and 9yr old with us and we all loved it. It seems a little long as you continue up the trail but once you arrive to the falls it is well worth it. We had been told it was an easy hike but I would say it may be a little more difficult than easy. Not a hard hike by any means but be prepared.

Temperature was hitting 90F, but even tho it was uphill there was plenty of shade. Plus you get a reasonable soaking if you get too close to the falls themselves. Spectacular valley, snow capped mountains, large rock outcrops. Waterfall only gets a 4 coz I'm from New Zealand ;)

Wonderful hike with the trail head right in town.There is definite elevation climb, but the trail is wide, gradual and easy to walk. Great hike for a family! We had our four kids (16, 14, 10, 8) who all made it to the falls with no problem. The views are spectacular looking toward the falls and back over the valley. Getting all the way to the falls is definitely worth it!!!

You cannot go to Telluride without hiking up Bear Creek! This is a must see, year round! The trailhead is right in town and it's an easy walk up to the Falls. DO NOT miss this! We do this hike at least a couple of times every trip and it never gets old.

Beautiful hike to see awesome waterfalls. Not as crowded in the morning. Coming from a lower elevation, we had to stop quite a bit but so glad we made it to the top. The mist from the falls feels quite refreshing on a warmer day. Use bug spray - mosquitos were attacking us!

It was raining the day we stayed in Telluride, so we viewed the falls from below. The falls are lovely and I can't wait to hike it on our next trip.

If you didn't know it was there, you would miss a sweet place to visit. The walk up from town is invigorating but not too hard, and the views just keep getting better. As you hike up, imagine back country skiers coming down from the high cliffs on either side. They really do! If you go in winter, watch out for these daredevils coming down the trail. In summer, linger by the falls and breath deeply. It's highly therapeutic. Enjoy.

An easy 2 mike hike that had some of the most gorgeous backdrops I have seen on a hike. Granted, we are from Florida, but holy cow are these mountains on this hike awesome. The Falls at the end were frozen, but still worth the trip.

This was one of our favorite parts of our trip. Absolutely beautiful! This was an easier hike. Be sure to take plenty of water and take frequent breaks as you acclimate to the altitude. We would definitely do this again.

THE BEST HIKE WE HAVE EVER DONE! It's a great one for families and the end result at the base of a spectacular waterfall is breathtaking!!!

This is an awesome hike to the falls and well worth it. Take water, of course. It's not that long, but great workout.

Awesome little hike in Telluride right off downtown area. Not too challenging and good for kids and or dogs ! Wide trail to hike up and back on.

Family of 5 (age 15-53) made round trip hike in the light rain and enjoyed outing - would have liked to have had lunch at Falls but weather didn't cooperate.

The trail is a steady climb up to a fantastic waterfall cascading off of a cliff surrounding by jagged peaks. It's groomed and the rocky parts plus river flow keep it interesting. There are wild flowers the views in all directions are stunning. Last push is steeper and narrow to get to the base of the falls. Plenty of places to stop for a picnic lunch. Dogs allowed. My kids have done this at ages 5 and 10 with some complaints along the way--so a family of 4 at a normal pace = 4 hours inc. an hour long lunch break and play time at the falls. Bring lots of water and extra sunscreen!

Wonderful trail with great views! You even get really close to the falls that you get wet.
there was snow in some small areas of the trail and my dog loved it!
they trail wasn't too bad and I'm 60 years old and from the State of Indiana which is really flat and if I can do it you can do it. used two hiking sticks. Dog friendly trail.
In some areas I felt like I was in the Sound of Music!!

This is a beautiful moderate hike! The path is wide in most places and offers a ton of photo ops. Bring bug spray, a snack and water. Once you reach the top of the falls there are places to rest and enjoy the refreshing waterfall spray. You can also climb behind one of the tiny falls or climb down to the base of the big waterfall. There are aspens all along the trail so I would imagine it would be gorgeous in the fall when the leaves are changing. Also there is an area where an avalanche came through this past winter. Very interesting to "be in the middle of it". Go early to beat the heat and the crowds! On the way up there were only a few other hikers and bikers but on the way down the hike was full of people and dogs. The hike is approx. 4.6 miles round trip - in and out with 1,140 ft elevation gain. It is easily accessed at the end of Pine Street. I would highly recommended this hike to anyone in Telluride!

This was a nice hike! Gradual incline, nice terrain and plenty of beautiful views. The flowing water near by was perfect. The waterfall was the perfect end. What got me was the spiritual place- the stacking stones. Absolutely amazing!
This should be a starter hike for someone as they adjust to the altitude.
It seems to take a while but SOOOO worth it! I'm a hiker but not interested in doing Ajax, etc so this was perfect for me. Not too hard but about perfect. Highly recommend. Can venture off on other trails to do longer.

The hike is not interesting, but the waterfall is gorgeous. You can feel the mist or even stand right next to it. Very peaceful early in the morning. Can be a well traveled hike, so if you like a bit more solitude go early.

We enjoyed an afternoon hike up to Bear Creek Falls. Round trip took 3 hours. Even with limited water volume in August, falls were beautiful.

After Judd Falls in Gothic/Crested Butte Colorado this hike is our fav. It took us nearly 4 hours to complete as we stopped many times to take picture and selfies. It was a beautiful sunny, cool day. We rate it on the difficult side as we're not used to the altitude so we took our time. I'm sure the locals consider it a moderate hike. Its nearly 4.5 miles round trip. Our visit at the falls was magnificent. We lingered for 1/2 hour along with many other hikers. The first part of the hike is rocky and ascending, then it flattens out a bit and the last 1/2 mile is steep. The mountain views during the hike are inspiring. Wear good hiking footwear as the trail is very rocky and will take a toll on your feet. Also pack some water.

This is always a winner. It's also quite an elevation gain. Keep looking over the edge to the left once the trail starts running parallel to the mountain across the creek as there a great views of the creek. The flow was quite low compared to what we've seen during summer months. Beautiful Fall codlors.

Do not miss this hike!!!! If it's your first time to Telluride in the summer - do not miss this hike. It is incredible. The way up is tiring, but well worth it!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our hike on the Bear Creek Trail.

The trail winds through the trees along and above the creek and affords beautiful views of the area around Telluride. There are no significant inclines or other hazards, and so it's a good hike for all. It is about 2.5 miles in each direction, meaning you'll get your exercise!

As others have noted, the payoff at the top is well worth the hike. The falls are beautiful, and the cool mist that spreads out from them is a welcome refreshment on a hot summer day.

Some tips:
1. The trailhead is only a very short walk from the gondola station in Telluride.
2. There's a point about 3/4 of the way up when the trail splits - the left fork goes down and the right fork goes up. Go right! The left is a dead end.
3. Stay on the trail till you're actually at the falls. Although there are obvious stopping points before that, they're not the end.
4. At this time (July, 2019), there's a part of the trail that crosses a recent avalanche path. The destruction is fascinating, if not a little sad since the avalanche was human-caused.

Start you morning off with this trail to get ahead of the crowds. It's cooler and quieter early in the morning. The falls are breathtaking and flowers in abundance. Make sure to take your camera. Its a gradual hike that even kids can do.

As we were suffering from the altitude, hiking was out. So we tried to drive up in our 4x4 and encountered difficulties about half way up. We didn't dare press on given that it was a rental vehicle.

So we ended up admiring the falls from the bottom, and weren't too disappointed at all because it was still a fantastic view. We then enjoyed a stroll along the river before looping back to the car.

I have hiked this in summer and winter. An easy way to get exercise and enjoy a nice view. It is a must do each time we are here.

Beautiful hike through aspen and conifer forest up a side canyon. Trail ends right at the falls, which have quite the presence. Worth the work!

Telluride is beautiful. That said, this hike was a bit disappointing. Living in Colorado I am familiar with many of the areas. This hike is all uphill until practically the end. It is not difficult as the incline is steady and not steep. The trail is wide so it safe for children and dogs.. When we went in August it was in heavy use. Personally I did not find anything about the hike that put it in the "wow" category. There are more scenic hikes out there, and there are worse hikes. There are some areas worth taking pictures of the views, but for the most part, not that exciting of a hike.

This was a great hike and fairly easy. It took us about 2 hours to get done. We parked at the bottom of Aspen Street and hiked up. Once we got up, it started to down pour so that wasn't the greatest. So try going early to avoid that afternoon rain. It's a easy hike, our puppy Yorkie made it with no problems. It's beautiful, great view, steady incline, pet friendly and fun. Would highly recommend.

We live at sea level and found ourselves huffing and puffing 10,000 feet up at Telluride but this trail is great for acclimatization: it rises gently and yet when you turn around after just a couple of hundred of feet, the views of the mountain valley are stunning. During the week you only meet a few people. Great reward, little risk!

Five miles to the falls and back with a 1000 ft. elevation gain. This is a great hike with the trail head right off of Pine St. in Telluride. Go early in the morning as the trail gets crowded later in the day.

We noticed this at the end of the canyon. it was so beautiful and so powerful. People seemed to know how to hike, but we were heading out of town so just took a picture from afar.

A somewhat easy to moderate hike. A slight incline with some flat areas along the way. You can see where an avalanche happened. Once you get to the top, the waterfall is amazing and refreshing. The views are spectacular. Many people at the top, so be prepared to fight for a spot. There were every kind of people young and old , also lots of dogs.

A beautiful hike up to the falls. A great hike for families as the grade was pretty easy and it has a wide path pretty much all of the way up, except for the last little bit by the falls. Love Telluride hikes, everyone is so friendly and you can't beat the beautiful scenery.

Hiked this through the snow. Tough uphill hike for 2 miles (4 miles round trip), but worth the trek! Enter trail at end of Pike Street.

Great hike during the May down season. We were concerned about muddy conditions but it was not bad at all. There were still a few areas with snow on the ground but overall dry. Beautiful views throughout the hike

A breathtaking hike...absolutely gorgeous the entire way. We came during the first week of June and there were still patches of snow and snow-capped mountains, but the trail also had beautiful greenery and flowers. The falls are tall and beautiful. Thanks to the time that we came, there was a lot of snowmelt into the water, creating a rapid creek that was amazing to watch. While it is a bit of an uphill hike, it is very gradual and easily marked, a great hike to get acclimated to the altitude. It was approximately 2.5 miles each way, I believe. While it was listed as a popular trail, it wasn't crowded when we were there and we had plenty of solitude. However, as we were leaving, we noticed more and more people on our hike back, so get an early start to avoid crowds. Paths were wide and well maintained. We loved every moment on this hike.

You can start this hike right in town. A good gentle hike to do your first full day there while getting use to the high elevation. The air is so clean you can expect to see some rainbows near the water!

We hiked here right after ski hill closed. Conditions were fine, did not need snow shoes. Falls were still frozen but that was unique perspective. Super easy hike starting right in town, trail head easy to find and follow

We were going to hike a trail out of Ridgway, but decided this would be convenient along with a trip to Telluride. Beautiful valley and waterfalls. This might be the busiest trail I've ever hiked in Colorado. So be prepared for company. We met some very nice folks from Texas. Similar to some other hikes in the area that don't have crowds, but if you're in Telluride it's a good choice.

Access to this trail is right in town so you don't have to fuss with driving/parking. The 2.5mile hike is a climb but it's shaded and wide and alongside water so you hear the babbling brook during the hike. The falls at the end are well worth the hike, beautiful! Alot of sweet dogs along the way too!

Moderate there and back. Popular trail. Many dogs, all well behaved. A good deal of shade. Easy access from town.

Beautiful. About an hour and 15 minute at a fast pace. Easy to do on your own if you are acclimated to the altitude and reasonably fit. Slow grade up. Highly recommend this.

The Bear Creek hike is a very enjoyable ~2 mile walk through the woods opening up into a beautiful water fall at the top. Other than the altitude, the hike is not very difficult. Take your time and go at a comfortable pace and you will be rewarded with great views of the valley and a chance to experience the exhilarating feeling of being drenched in cold water at the base of the falls.

This was our 2nd time going up to Bear Creek Falls. We waited until the end of our time in Telluride to make sure we were well acclimated to the altitude as this one has a climb of 1100 feet in 2.5 miles. There was far less water in the creek and falls this time around but it was still beautiful.

I took my family camping out near Bear Creek, and we all had a nice, relaxing time. Beautiful scenery, and plenty of deer around - something the kids really enjoyed. We were hoping to get some leaf peeping in, but apprently we were a little too early.

It's so easy to get to the Bear Creek Trailhead from downtown Telluride and it's worth the climb to the falls. The views are amazing and the the falls seem to go up forever.

Bear Creek Falls is right out of Telluride. You can start from town. The hike is around 3 1/2 miles and a fairly steep uphill grade. But the scenery is beautiful, with more than 1 waterfall, the stream and mountains and forest are wonderful. The main falls at the end are really worth the hike and a great place to sit on a rock and have a picnic.

Well worth the uphill hike....don't miss it!!! Such amazing beauty. Pack a lunch and enjoy the journey.

If you have time, specially in summer, you should take a walk to the falls. Scenery is great, the experience is relaxing, and you get to see a hidden gem.

Everyone was all excited over the more touristy Bridal Falls, but several locals pointed us to Bear Creek instead and I'm so glad they did. Easy hike right out of town. We went up early in the morning and it was just fantastic. It was not very crowded at all. You can keep going past the falls as the trail goes for about thirty miles.

Start out before 8 am to have this trail to yourself. The start of the start is underwhelming- an uphill dirt road. But about a quarter mile in, the views begin and you won't even notice you are walking uphill.

Two ways here. Drive the two miles from town. There is a pull off to get out and a observation point. Or if your more adventurous you can walk up the trail. Either way it's worth seeing.

It took my husband and I an hour and a half to get to the falls, going almost non-stop. The ascent is gradual but noticeable. The path is fairly easy to navigate until you get toward the top, where there is a little more fancy footwork required. The views along the way and at the top are amazing and worth the effort. The water was cold and refreshing. It took us an hour to get back down. My whole body was sore the next day, so don't mistake this for a casual stroll, but it is doable for most people in fairly good health.

hi, we went for an afternoon of trekking. Took us almost 1.5hrs to reach the falls from telluride. Lovely way with lots of scenic beauty (food for the camera) and when we reach the falls, the view is grand. It does get a bit chilly as we go up (in summer) so be prepared! Totally worth the climb!

Best hike of our trip. Start at the end of S Pine street in Telluride. It shows a green trail but I would say a bit harder than that. Over 1000 feet of incline where you pass avalanche debris, old mine water pipes, and beautiful forest. Once at the falls it is amazing. You can get right underneath it and after a long uphill hike it is very refreshing. A must do but take bug spray. Mosquitos abound.

I've hiked this twice on my bad ankles and it's worth doing. The trees smell so good, the falls are gorgeous and while the elevation is high, it's doable for kids, dogs and even cyclists!

Rewarding hike with very beautiful scenery the whole way. If you're from sea level it can be strenuous in parts. But it's worth the pain.

At the first viewing point for the falls, two trails branch off - the larger one continues ahead to the main viewing point, the second much smaller path heads up and to the side. Take the path less travelled, and walk for an extra 30-60 minutes to the Bear Creek stream and valley to find yourself in the most spectacular scenery you can imagine - brilliant green valley, crystal clear running water, and wildflowers galore.

This hike was easy access with a short Gondola ride into Telluride from Mountain Ridge. The hike was about 2.5 miles and there was a light rain the entire trip which was awesome being from Phoenix. The falls were worth every step to get there.

A very rocky, rutted path/road fairly steep in some places and, thankfully, mostly in shade in the afternoon. Some nice views down the valley, but not very scenic. However, October is not the best time; the water was just barely falling and not very picturesque. I was disappointed after putting forth so much effort. I'm pretty sure the water flow would be amazing in spring time.

Enjoyed the hike, at first as we were going up was wondering if it was all worth it and even asked several people as they were coming down and they kept telling us it's worth it, keep going. It took us about 3 hours round trip. Once you make it, savor it! I wish we would have stayed longer at the falls but had to hurry and get back for another activity. It was very pleasant and so glad we took the time to hike up to the falls! Definitely a plus to our trip to Telluride!

The hike was tough at times but well worth it. Please make it to the end, you won't regret it. Be ready for some hills and lots of people along the way

if you need to adjust to the high altitude, this short, uphill round trip (6 miles) is perfect. The hike starts in town across the bridge at Pine Street. We packed a lunch and strolled leisurely up to the falls and back; coming from sea level made this a workout. But with so many views, trees and flowers to photograph, you can take your time and breath deep. We found it the perfect introductory hike to several in a hikers paradise. Good shoes and walking sticks help on the rocky bits.

Nice hike. Saw a bear off the trail. Beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike. Very easy access from town.

Gorgeous hike and a true Colorado experience! I’ve seen this rated as an easy and a moderate hike. I would say the end of the trail, right before the waterfall is reached is on the moderate side but our tween and teen kids as well as much younger kids seemed to manage it just fine. So why write this review? For any poor souls like myself that have knee problems. I need a knee replacement and found it slow and painful goings to get back down to the trailhead. I’d recommend a walking stick for sure! That probably would have saved the stress on my knees going up and made it less painful going down. I’d do it again because the payoff is so worth it but I’d be prepared.

If you are in fair shape it is a must try hike to the waterfall at the top. It took us about 2.5 hours round trip and was a good challenge. You need to wear hiking boots or good tennis shoes and be prepared for possible weather changes. Take water for sure and there is no cell service once you are half way up. The views are great and well worth the effort for us.

Incredible views, beautiful falls. Great first hike in Telluride to get you ready for the more challenging ones. A definite "must" for every visitor to Telluride.

As I age, the desire for seeing waterfalls is taking a hit. At altitude a 2 mile hike becomes more than 4 miles with COPD and walking even a graduated uphill becomes a challenge. This hike at least ended with a beautiful waterfall.

This was a beautiful hike in early October with all the Aspens yellow! Highly recommend! Picked this one based on reviews and was not disappointed! There is metered street parking close by.

You can't go wrong on this relatively flat trail to Bear Creak Falls. This is a dog friendly walk. The views of the canyon are incredible, almost better than the waterfall!

Highly recommend this hike! The path was steadily steep but with incredible views the whole way. The falls were gorgeous and very full! A unique aspect was walking through the avalanche field and seeing the destruction and power of the build up of snows from the huge winter, and the aspen and pine grove was destroyed. It was a bit muddy and slick in spots, wear sturdy shoes and pack big spray! Highly recommend this hike!

This is a beautiful hike that leads to a lovely waterfall. However, do not be fooled by the description of easy! It was 2 hrs to the waterfall and about 1.5hours down! All of it was worth it as the views are great.

the hike is 2.5 miles one way. It is a steady uphill until you get to the falls. The constant uphill with little break is not much fun. However, once you get to the top, you forget all about it. The cool mist from the falls will cool you down. The view of the falls is great, but then turn around and look the other direction for wonderful mountain views.

Ease/moderate hiking trail, we were hiking with small kids, 6,8 years old. Views are amazing, incredible beautiful, and the final it’s extraordinary. Highly recommend this place.

My wife and I hiked from Telluride to the falls and the hike was an easy hike with lots of places to stop and take in the scenery. The last 1/4 mile or so of the hike is a little more difficult due to narrow paths but it is a very good hike. Once you reach the falls it is beautiful. We will take this hike again on our next trip to the area.

My family of 5 are not in the greatest shape so this was a challenging hike. We're flat landers from Arizona and California so when we hike it's usually around a lake. And in Yosemite, the "hike" to the waterfalls are pretty flat and paved hehehe. We met a Park Ranger along the way and he advised of the snow spots and the avalanche field. We were passed several times by other more nimble hikers. But we endured and made it to the avalanche field, but decided to turn back. The views are spectacular. As you get passed the view of Telluride, you start walking next to a creek, which was raging from snow melt. Telluride had a late snow fall in May so there was still snow in the first of week of June. We weren't the only ones who decided to turn around. A few people we talked to that were coming back down said they didn't make it to the falls as well. One day we'll make it back to Telluride and challenge ourselves to make it to the falls.

This was a perfect first hike in Telluride for our family. It was manageable and challenging for my 7 and 9 year old girls. Our small dog loved it too. The waterfall at the end of the hike is a great place to have a snack before heading back to town. We ate at Smugglers afterwards which has really good food for grown ups and kids!

We hiked up to Bear Creak Falls with our adult children and it was a wonderful time.

The incline is fairly gradual so altitude is not much of an issue. And when you get to the falls, they take your breath away!

This hike for us was a 5.5.1 mile round trip trail that was a challenge for us Florida novice hikers. The altitude climb was a little over 1000 ft. The trail is graded rock getting to the falls. We also went to Little Hawaii which is off the beaten path and can be a challenge to those not fit and flexible. The view is spectacular for the falls and Little Hawaii. Round trip time was 3 hrs. Bring plenty of water.

Relatively easy hike up an old road through the woods. Little bit of a scramble up the last bit to the falls. Beautiful falls and veiw of the valley from the top

This is a not too long, not too short, early start (while adapting to altitude) hike. It starts in town at the edge. All the way up you have views of river, streams, and aspen/pine etc. Plenty of climbing; fairly steep in parts. But the falls are worth the effort. I like to bring lunch in a backpack; place my drink in a corner of the water, and eat lunch up near the falls. Drinks chill quickly, and it works out great. These views are dramatic and impressive. You will enjoy the event!

We started climbing the Bear Creek Trail up to the falls back in 1989. Our youngest was carried in a backpack! Every time we come to Telluride, we do that hike. Usually on day 2 or 3, so we have adjusted to the altitude. We have traveled to Telluride with our children and grandchildren, friends and relatives, and the one thing we never miss is hiking up to Bear Creek Falls.

We took this hike on one of the nicest day during our trip - sunny, cool and not crowded in the morning.
The walk was a little difficult and not recommended for people not accustomed to high altitude or rough terrain.
The end, where the waterfall is is spectacular. Take a lunch and sit on the rock outcrop next to the stream and relax.

No hiking required. There is a great pull out parking area, plenty of spaces, for a great view to this long and thin waterfall (200feet). Kind of weird rock formation around the waterfalls as well.

It is right on the Million Dollar Highway near Ouray

The sound of the rushing water is ever present as I walked along the trail

This is at elevation! I took four hours two up two more hours back down walking slowly never out of breath getting one’s breath back walking, higher and higher yeah!?

The cool fresh summer air, the beautiful surroundings in every direction your accomplishment challenge, even as many go running past 🤣

We have done 150-200 hikes in the past 4 years and this was by far maybe less than average. Great location for a trailhead right from downtown but it was relatively boring for my 5.5 miles. The falls was the destination and that was not even average. It was a good workout thats all.

This hike is a great choice for the entire family! It's an easy hike up to beautiful waterfalls. A good choice for young kids, or if you've just hit town and want to acclimate a bit before doing bigger hikes. One of our favorite local hikes!

This is an amazing, 5.1 mile round trip, 1,092 vertical foot hike to an alpine waterfall that is listed by AllTrails and the number 1 trail in Telluride. For me it is like splitting hairs between it and Bridal Veil Falls trail. This is a steadier and easier climb. There are some steep sections, but you have incredible views of the valley as you are hiking in the entire trail. Near the top there is a drop off that is a great picture backdrop. After that it is only a short way to the falls and more incredible views. These were some of the best hikes we did in Colorado.

Waterfall at the end is amazing. well worth the 2.5 mile hike! Hike is more like an uphill walk. not too technical.

Great hike to go on, right from the center of town. Nice mountain views looking both up and back down. It's about 4 1/2 miles round trip on a moderate trail but at @ 9000 feet elevation - so if you're a bit winded you'll know why!

This is a must hike even if it takes you all day. Pack a lunch, a few power bars and keep climbing high. You will see so much on this fantastic trail.

We took this hike our first day in Telluride and while the elevation change from top to bottom is over a thousand feet, it is definitely a worthwhile experience. Great scenery and seeing the waterfall at the end is worth it

This is a great in town hike. Go early in the morning as it can have mosquito's later in the day. Take a little picnic and make sure you go to top, the last part is a tiny scramble but the waterfall is definitely worth it!

This was the first hike our family/dog took after arriving... It seemed longer than we anticipated, but was well worth pushing throught to the waterfall. Family and dog friendly. Big negative was a buzillion flies! You definitely didn't stop for long because the flies would attack! Take bug spray....

It is definitely worthwhile to pull over and view this waterfall. We went in June and it was really flowing.

The guide book said it was an easy hike. Well not for us sea level dwelling Northeasterners. It was a three hour up and back for us and difficult at times but very worth the climb

Bear Creek Falls is my favorite hike at any time of day! It offers great scenery for the beginning hiker and for more advanced hikers, you can make it as difficult as you like. It is a gradual climb, but nevertheless, it is a great workout if you go all the way to the falls!

Simply beautiful. I read this as rated as "easy to moderate" - I bet that is by local's standards. While true it is a long continuous uphill climb without a break so be prepared. Be careful on the slippery rocks at the base of the falls. Late afternoon the shade of the west canyon wall envelopes the canyon so keep that in mind for photo taking and how the temperatures will feel.

Doable by nearly anyone, the beauty of the hike is as enjoyable as the destination: river, gorge, canyon, trees, mountains, falls--wow.

I decided to cover some miles and this place was recommended to me by many people. So I went there. It took me some time to get to the waterfalls but it was wort it! I have seen many kinds of trees and insects but luckily no black bear in the area at the time I was there. Anyway there is even board that tells you what to do when facing black bear. So be careful!

Easy access #1 best thing with trailhead right in the town of Telluride near gondola. Very easy to a good workout depending upon your pace and resting stops. The avalanche area is a great stop and place just look in awe of Mother Nature and the power of the snow that came roaring down. Would love to go back and hang out here to mediate and read. Variety and color of wildflowers was amazing. Views are great. The falls are a don't miss experience.

This is a very moderate hike right outside of Telluride to the Bear Creek Falls. Very shaded for the most part and worth the hike. Takes about about 2.5 hours roundtrip.

Incredible view basically the entire hike! No complaining from our kids (8,10, 13) either ;) A good amount of exercise with GREAT payoff!

Hiked this trail many times before and during the bluegrass fest. It's beautiful but steep. Some good rock climbing off the trail.

Easy hike, not steep. Lots of locals walk their dogs along this trail, and most of them pick up after their dogs, too, so it's not a problem. Trail begins near the gondola, so it's accessible from wherever you're staying in Telluride. Not a lot a views and no vistas on this hike, but the falls are definitely a "reward" for your walk.

We took a gorgeous hike up to Bear Creek Falls during our recent visit to Telluride. We started off in the morning and basically had the trail to ourselves. Beautiful nature!

The hike to the falls is a steady upwards hike for 2 miles along a trails lined with Aspens on each side. At the top of the hike, there is an amazing view of the Telluride valley. And of course the waterfall is stunning against the rock-wall backdrop. You can get up and close to the falls for a quick cool-down. Have a bite to eat on the rocks while you stare at the falls. An amazing hike!

It was a nice hike but we got stuck in the pouring rain and it was cooold. But it is a nice hike. Elevation increase of 1000ft so itsa little bit of a work out.

In the morning: Walked from the campground to Lower Bear Creek Falls, which was a neat place, but the water was running high enough that I decided not to cross the water (which I assume went to the upper falls) because I didn't want to get my shoes wet.

Late afternoon: Walked around town and decided I'd go back to City Park by way of Bear Creek Preserve on a trail that I imagined would be marked to go back that way. Trail is not marked in such a fashion, but I did see one trail that headed down to the left that maybe went to the city park but it also might not have.
Near the start, there was a sign about 15 things to look for on the trail- one was the trail to Camel's Garden, and then at the end of the hike it said to look for the falls and a big rock. I don't remember what the other 12 things were, but I do remember that it would have been difficult to find them on this sign because it was sun-faded and the numbers and location markers were gone.
Anyway, I tromped up the hill, passing 2 couples who were on their way down from the falls. I didn't find the hike particularly difficult and it didn't take me terribly long to get to the falls, which were OK. I'm obsessed with waterfalls, but it was snowing and the falls somewhat blended in with their surroundings, so they weren't my favorite- I think I'd like them more if I went in the summer instead of a May snowstorm. Along the way, there had been social trails going down to the creek at times, but I never found any of them very interesting. I can't tell you much about exploring around the falls because I didn't want to get real adventurous when I was by myself at 6PM and it was snowing and no one would have come looking for me quickly. You can hike up to the top of the falls to stand by the big rock, but you can't see the falls from up there. The trail continues on to somewhere, but I turned around and retraced my steps to the city park, which was easy to do even with the snow, except for trying to walk around the beaver pond after leaving the preserve's land.

We hiked this trail twice in a week - not too challenging for our lowland lungs and wide trail so we could social distance. We could hear the sounds of the creek for most of the hike and there are several side trails to see other views of the creek. Final trail to the upper falls is steep. Go early to get more shade and avoid the crowds who seem to start up about 9-10:00. We noted that at most 20 percent of hikers wore masks and that many do not seem to even try to maintain social distance.

Jest pull off the road into the parking lot to see this beautiful waterfall. The photo shown was made from the bottom of the waterfall and we didn't go down there or make the photo.

It is a great stop off point, when touring on a motorcycle it is great to find places like this so you can get off the bike and stretch your legs with scenic views,

Great early morning hike before lots of traffic encroaches on the amazing serenity. The falls are beautiful and we have never seen such a whimsical cairn "park"

Going all the way to the falls is well worth the effort. Leave early in the morning so you will have time to stay a while at the falls. The views all along the trail are awesome.

It's a beautiful hike to take, you wont regret it! You can walk at your own pace and the locals who do the hike on a regular basis are wonderful cheerleaders, if you're not used to the high altitude or hiking. Even if youre a novice, you will kick yourself if you don't try it!

Our favorite hike in Telluride. Not too strenuous, and the effort is rewarded with amazing views and a really refreshing experience standing by the spray from the falls.

We chose this as our first hike because everyone told us it was the easiest. I would say it was challenging for this 62 year old. I suggest taking breaks on the way up to get some good pictures.Wear good hiking shoes because the trail it rocky. I was so worth the hike though, just gorgeous! Hike down was a breeze!

It was an easy to moderate hike with beautiful views, flowers, and water falls. We took our time hiking out and back - 3 hours. The trails were mostly wide, which is good because the tail is popular!

All of the guide books, etc. said this was a 5 mile hike. The guy at the park office at the base in Telluride said it was a 3 mile hike. This was good because it convinced our children to do it. They did do it, and they did it fine, but it is definitely 5 and not 3 miles, and half of them are uphill. Still, the effort made it all the more satisfying, and there are really great views up and back down again. There are plenty of people along the route, but it is not too crowded.

It's a nice two hour round trip hike to the falls. We did that and then double back to hit the trail that goes to the top of the falls with great views of Telluride and interesting old mining equipment. The trail kept going from there but it was very windy so we headed back. We hiked for 4 hours and covered 8.6 miles. Lots of photo opportunities

Great hike! Kids could do it but make sure they can walk back as far as u r walking up. Downhill is harder than u think with a little one.

This hike was great! Loved it! It was a bit long and difficult (especially for a family). Once we finally reached the top it was well worth it! The view was amazing! Beautiful waterfall, took a lot do pictures! :) Overall, a awesome hike!

This was a nice hike. We hoofed it pretty quickly and made it to the top in 50 minutes. It is an intermdiate hike, because of the elevation gain and the last bit of it. Bring a camera, lots to take pictures of.

This hike is must do if you are in Telluride. The trail starts in town, so access is easy. The climb up is a moderate one, but there are great rewards at the end! We were on the trail on a Saturday morning, so it was quite busy but nothing that would stop me from hiking it. We only encountered one mountain biker but the trail is quite wide enough to get out of the way. Advise: DO IT and STAY A WHILE TO TAKE IN THE VIEWS.

Just finished this approximately 5 mile hike this past weekend and I was truly impressed! What a gem of a hike! We saw a crazy avalanche spot and at the top was a beautiful waterfall that seemed like it was surrounding you and coming from all over the mountain..the fresh snow melt spray at the top was an added bonus..I would definitely recommend this hike

Hiking up to Bear Creek Falls is a perfect first hike for anyone visiting Telluride. That said, I still love this hike after decades of hiking, and I return to it like a pilgrimage probably every other year now. You walk up above the town, which is a view not to be missed, and slowly the town disappears as you hike up. The hike is on an old road, so there is no technical difficulty aside from trying to breathe at altitude and walk uphill! It's a beautiful, beautiful journey, with the sound of the creek next to you and the walls of the mountains on either side. The falls is a great place to cool off your feet and rest before the trek down.

Bear Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall just outside Telluride. The hike to the waterfall is about 5 miles round trip and moderate, following an old gravel road upstream to the falls. The trailhead is at the end of Pine street at the southeast corner of town. There's no parking here, so we parked at Carhenge and took the River Walk to the trailhead. The views along the trail through the valley are just beautiful and lots of wildflowers. Near the end, Wasatch Trail splits to the right. There's a small waterfall here, but the main waterfall is another quarter mile further. This is a really scenic waterfall and definitely worth the moderate hike to visit.

Got the recommendation from a local to do this hike. We went early in the day and it was beautiful and cool. Definitely not recommended for those who aren't acclimated to the altitude as it has quite the elevation gain. Take your camera because the views are amazing and the wildflowers are spectacular. I advise wearing sturdy shoes and dressing in layers!

Manageable hike a few yards from the northern border of town. About a 2 and 1/2 mile steady climb of moderate severity along a broad dirt path littered with rocks. Destination is the Bear Creek Falls which arise majestically from a plateau near the peak. Surrounding mountain peaks and grassy meadows are breathtaking. Early morning appears to be the best time. Path gets a little crowded nearing lunchtime.

Lovely hike up to the falls. Not too hard for small kids. Wide enough trails for keeping social distance

Bear Creek Falls was in our list of attractions to see. We did not realize until we stopped along the Million Dollar Highway (CO-550) that we could view it during our drive from Durango-Silverton to Ouray, CO.

Many cars were parked on the sides of the seemingly endless sharp/hairpin S (snake) curved, 10 mph and overwhelming route with no guardrails along the steep cliffs that is also called Molas Pass. Having seen than and found space to pull into, we viewed the Bear Creek Falls. Its roar is extremely powerful. The steel platform that extended above the canyon for viewing turned my knees into jelly. Its a scary and thrilling experience!

Googling the Million Dollar Highway, I read that it is a dangerous road. I drove on it🙃!

The view is stunning not only of the falls and canyon but of the mountains as well!

The rays hitting the powerful falls’ spray created a beautiful rainbow.

This is a good hike to spend a few hours. Good views on the way up and the weather cooperated. Lots of different places to view the falls, depending how ambitious one is. We packed a lunch and ate at the opening just before the base of the falls.

We hiked up to the falls in May and there was still some snow and ice up at the top. Its a nice hike, trail is well maintained, and allows dogs *everything does in Telluride practically :) .

We enjoyed our afternoon hike up to the Falls. Easy, wide road most of the way. Very popular hike. The avalanche field from the spring is amazing...the slide took out hundreds of trees uphill!

Started this trail first thing in the morning on a seasonally crisp Sunday morning in September, around 7 a.m., not so much because we really wanted to, but because we hadn't gotten around to hiking this one the day before and because it came highly recommended. Following the trail, which starts at the end of South Pine Street, isn't too hard, but make sure you don't miss the cutoff after about 2 miles. You'll technically follow the Wasatch Trail for most of the hike, only to make a left after those 2 miles, following a short spur that will take you to Bear Creek Falls, a sight for sore eyes even with limited flow rate. With the word 'bear' in the name of the trail, I kept an ear out for them and my eyes peeled, but didn't see any. We did come across a number of other hikers and runners on the way back, from 8 a.m. onwards, proving that this trail, just like the Jud Wiebe Trail, is a local favorite.

Rated an easy hike, we struggled to get very far. About a 300-ft. incline in a quarter mile. Very rocky.