---
id: "2105"
name: Alpine Loop
distance: "65"
duration: Allow 1-2 days to enjoy the byway.
description: This route winds its way to an elevation of 12,800 feet, crossing Engineer and Cinnamon Passes. The rugged scenery includes river meadows, alpine tundra, ghost towns, ore mills, abundant summer wildflowers and impressive fall colors.
path:
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organization:
  - url: https://www.blm.gov/visit/alpine-loop
    name: Bureau of Land Management
websites:
  - url: https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/southwest/alpine-loop
    name: Colorado Byways
  - url: https://www.colorado.com/byways/alpine-loop
    name: Colorado Travel Guide
  - url: https://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/alpineloop.html
    name: Colorado Vacation Directory
  - url: https://www.americanlegacytours.org/colorado/alpine-loop-road-trip/
    name: National Travel Center
  - url: https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/colorado/alpine-loop-back-country-byway.php
    name: The Armchair Explorer
designations:
  - BLM Back Country Byway
  - Colorado State Scenic Byway
states:
  - CO
ll:
  - -107.5686419998284
  - 37.933909999746675
bounds:
  - - -107.66439099964492
    - 37.81164200007822
  - - -107.29067999958227
    - 38.026939000034815

---

The Alpine Loop leaves pavement and people behind, crossing the remote, rugged, spectacular heart of the San Juan Mountains. Created by the forces of nature, these mountains, valleys, streams, and lakes now offer visitors the chance to explore the wild back country of Colorado. If height is what you are looking for, the Alpine Loop has hiking trails that access five of Colorado's "fourteener&" peaks (14,000 feet or more) and Cinnamon and Engineer pass both demand a high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle to climb over the 12,000 plus foot passes. Pristine mountain views, hiking and biking trails, great camping opportunities, and ample solitude are some of the rewards for taking the road less traveled.

### Early Trails and People

The trails that visitors enjoy today were developed by early travelers to the area. Native American Indians came to the area to hunt and gather food. In the late 1800s miners created a network of roads in their quest for silver, gold, lead, and zinc. The towns they established are abandoned now, but some buildings remain for visitors to see.