River Trail and Idarado Trail

The River Trail and Idarado Legacy Trails are two easy walking pathways that can be combined to make a 5 mile round-trip hike. The River Trail runs beside town, so of course there are many possible starting points where you can hop on the trail.A good place to start the River Trail is at the Carhenge Parking Lot, which offers free all-day parking. From here you'll head generally east on the River Trail as it parallels the beautiful San Miguel River. The trail is quite dog friendly, so don't be surprised to run into some pups off leash.The trail passes a small wetland area, then meanders beside the small pond at the town park. The trail will then officially turn into the Idarado Legacy Trail. Every so often you'll find informative plaques alongside the trail that inform of the mining history of the area.The trail eventually crosses the paved roadway and comes to an end at the Pandora Mill. This impressive building used to mine millions of tons of zinc, lead, copper and silver-laced ore during its heyday decades ago.You'll also have a great view up to Bridal Veil Falls and the Hydroelectric Power Plant from the end of the trail.Unless you wish to continue and hike the Bridal Veil Falls Trail up to the base of the falls, return the way you came via the Idarado and River Trails.