At a Glance
- Round Trip: ~4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Historical Site: Portland Mine Ruins
Following the Miners' Path Above Ouray
The Portland Trail begins near the south end of Ouray and climbs steadily up the west wall of the canyon toward the remnants of the Portland Mine, which operated during the late 1800s silver boom. Mine shaft openings, rusted equipment frames, and a collapsed mill structure give the trail a strong sense of history.
The trail surface is rocky and loose in sections, requiring attention underfoot. Views of the Amphitheater and the full southern canyon open up quickly as you gain elevation — by the halfway point you're looking down at Ouray from a perspective most visitors never see.
Wildlife and Wildflowers Along the Way
The trail corridor passes through aspen groves and open meadows that are rich with wildflowers in late June and July. Mule deer are common in the early morning. In autumn, the aspens turn gold and the trail becomes one of the better fall-color walks in the Ouray area.
Bring binoculars — the open cliff faces attract red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons. The upper section of trail can be icy and treacherous from October through May.
Access from The Lumberyard Condos
The Portland trailhead is a ten-minute walk south from The Lumberyard Condos along Main Street. No car needed — this is a walk-to-trail hike, which is rare at this level of quality. A two- to three-hour round trip fits easily into a morning.
After the hike, the Hot Springs Pool is a logical next stop on the same stretch of town. Book your stay direct at ouraycondos.com.