Telluride Gondola
Ride North America's only free public gondola for breathtaking San Juan Mountain views, connecting Telluride and Mountain Village.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Crisp air, fewer crowds
Telluride Gondola
Best Time
Crisp air, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Ride North America's only free public gondola for breathtaking San Juan Mountain views, connecting Telluride and Mountain Village.
"The free gondola ride is amazing, takes you from Telluride to the Telluride mountain Village with stops on the way!"
🎯 Ride it for FREE!
This unique gondola is completely free for all passengers, offering incredible value and views.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Bring your well-behaved canine companions along for the ride! It's a great way to explore with your pets.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic Mountain Vistas
Entire Gondola Route
Soak in unparalleled views of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride town, and surrounding valleys. Absolutely free!
Fall Foliage Spectacle
Gondola Route & Mountain Village
Witness a vibrant tapestry of gold, orange, and red as the aspen trees transform the landscape. Peak season is mid-October.
Dog-Friendly Adventure
Entire Gondola Route
Bring your furry friends along for the ride! The gondola is a fantastic, free way to explore with your canine companions.
Sunset Serenity
Gondola Route
Experience a magical sunset from above the clouds, painting the mountains in warm, golden hues. Unforgettable.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Free Ride
Best Times for Views & Fewer Crowds
+1 For fewer crowds, consider weekdays outside of peak fall color weeks or early mornings. Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Ride it for FREE!
This unique gondola is completely free for all passengers, offering incredible value and views.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Bring your well-behaved canine companions along for the ride! It's a great way to explore with your pets.
📸 Capture Golden Hour
Sunset rides offer breathtaking light and colors, making for unforgettable photos.
⏰ Arrive Early
To avoid longer lines, especially during peak fall season, aim to ride the gondola early in the day.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Ride it for FREE!
This unique gondola is completely free for all passengers, offering incredible value and views.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Bring your well-behaved canine companions along for the ride! It's a great way to explore with your pets.
📸 Capture Golden Hour
Sunset rides offer breathtaking light and colors, making for unforgettable photos.
⏰ Arrive Early
To avoid longer lines, especially during peak fall season, aim to ride the gondola early in the day.
🥾 Explore from Above
Hop off at San Sophia Station for hiking trails or continue to Mountain Village for more exploration.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Telluride Gondola as a highlight, marveling at its free access and the spectacular mountain views it offers. Many highlight the stunning fall foliage and sunset rides as particularly memorable. While generally smooth, some note potential lines during peak times.
"The free gondola ride is amazing, takes you from Telluride to the Telluride mountain Village with stops on the way so that you can get out to hike or sky.
I enjoyed the view in fall!"
Annerose Walz
"Yes, it is totally free and it is worth so much more."
Dan Ross
"Telluride is an absolutely beautiful town, often described as a mini Switzerland with its charming alpine vibe and stunning mountain scenery. One of the highlights of visiting is the free gondola ride, which offers breathtaking views all the way to the top. The ride only takes about 10 minutes, but every moment is filled with gorgeous vistas of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Once you reach the top, there are plenty of opportunities to explore further. A short hike from the gondola station allows you to immerse yourself even deeper in nature, with crisp mountain air and scenic trails to enjoy. October is a particularly magical time to visit, as the fall foliage transforms the landscape with vibrant hues of gold, orange, and red.
Whether you’re riding the gondola for sightseeing or heading up to start a hike, the views are unforgettable. The combination of the picturesque town, mountain surroundings, and stunning autumn colors make Telluride a must-visit destination during the fall season."
Emi Ly
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Telluride Gondola is easily accessible from downtown Telluride. The main station is located in the heart of town, making it convenient to reach on foot or via local transport. It connects directly to Mountain Village.
Parking in Telluride can be limited and often paid. It's recommended to check local parking regulations or consider walking if staying in town. The gondola itself is a primary mode of transport between Telluride and Mountain Village.
Yes, the gondola operates in both directions, connecting Mountain Village back to downtown Telluride. It's a convenient way to travel between the two areas.
The gondola is generally accessible. It's designed to accommodate passengers with varying mobility needs, making it a good option for those who may have difficulty with extensive walking.
The ride from Telluride to Mountain Village takes approximately 13 minutes, offering scenic stops along the way.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The most amazing part is that the Telluride Gondola is completely FREE for everyone! No tickets are required to ride.
No, tickets are not required. The Telluride Gondola is a free public transportation system.
The gondola typically runs daily from early morning (around 6:30 AM) until midnight, connecting Telluride and Mountain Village. It's always a good idea to check the official schedule for any seasonal changes.
The gondola generally operates year-round, with hours typically from 6:30 AM to midnight. Specific operating dates can vary slightly by season.
The main restriction is that it's a public transportation system. Dogs are welcome, and it's generally accessible for most passengers.
📸 📸 Photography & Views
Sunset offers the most dramatic lighting and colors, painting the San Juan Mountains beautifully.
You'll see stunning panoramic views of the Telluride valley, the town of Telluride, Mountain Village, and the majestic San Juan Mountains.
Absolutely! The ever-changing scenery, especially during sunrise, sunset, and fall, makes it a photographer's dream.
Yes, the gondola makes stops, including at San Sophia Station, where you can disembark to access hiking trails or enjoy the views before continuing your journey.
The entire ride offers viewpoints, but the stops at San Sophia Station provide excellent vantage points for photos and short explorations.
🚇 🐶 Pet-Friendly Travel
Yes, the Telluride Gondola is very dog-friendly! Well-behaved dogs are welcome to ride with their owners.
While specific rules might not be heavily advertised, it's expected that dogs are leashed and well-behaved, not disruptive to other passengers.
Yes, many trails accessible from the gondola stops, like those near San Sophia Station, are dog-friendly, allowing you to continue your adventure with your pet.
The free gondola is an excellent way to travel with your dog between Telluride and Mountain Village, offering scenic views without the need for a car.
While not explicitly stated, it's always good practice to keep your dog on a leash and under control at all times, both on the gondola and at the stations.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The stops along the way, like San Sophia Station, offer opportunities for short, easy walks or simply enjoying the scenery. Plus, it's a great way to travel between Telluride and Mountain Village, making it easy to access amenities or different parts of town. Consider timing your ride to avoid peak crowds, perhaps early in the morning or on a weekday. The novelty of riding a gondola is usually a hit with children, and the stunning scenery provides a memorable backdrop for family photos. It's an accessible and enjoyable experience that caters to all ages, making it a highlight for many family trips to Telluride.
🐶 Pet Parents
+1 This makes exploring Telluride and Mountain Village with your pet incredibly convenient and enjoyable. You can easily travel between towns, access trailheads, or simply enjoy the mountain air together. Remember to keep your dog leashed and ensure they are comfortable in enclosed spaces. The gondola provides a unique opportunity for your dog to experience the stunning Colorado landscape alongside you. It’s a testament to Telluride’s welcoming atmosphere for both humans and their four-legged friends.
🚶♀️ Visitors with Limited Mobility
Disembarking at stations like San Sophia allows for gentle exploration or simply enjoying the panoramic vistas from accessible viewpoints. This makes the gondola a perfect way for seniors or those with mobility challenges to enjoy the beauty of Telluride without the physical demands of traditional hiking.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Free Gondola: A Telluride Icon
This unique system provides stunning, unobstructed views of the surrounding peaks, valleys, and the charming alpine architecture of both communities. It's a vital link for locals and a major attraction for visitors, offering unparalleled access to scenic beauty and outdoor activities without the need for a car. Travelers consistently rave about the gondola's accessibility and the sheer beauty of the ride. Many highlight it as a must-do experience, especially during the vibrant fall foliage season when the mountainsides explode with color.
The ability to hop on and off at various points, such as San Sophia Station, allows for spontaneous exploration of hiking trails or a visit to restaurants with incredible views. +1Beyond its scenic appeal, the gondola is also celebrated for its practicality and pet-friendliness. It serves as a convenient way to travel between the two distinct areas of Telluride, whether for dining, shopping, or accessing ski slopes in winter.
+1 The inclusion of dogs on the ride further enhances its appeal to a wider range of visitors, making it a truly inclusive experience. +1 Whether you're seeking adventure, stunning photography opportunities, or simply a unique way to see the mountains, the Telluride Gondola delivers an unforgettable experience.Experiencing Fall in Telluride via the Gondola
Riding the gondola during this time provides an immersive experience, with panoramic views of the vibrant landscape stretching out below. Many visitors specifically plan their trips around the fall colors, and the gondola is a central part of that experience. The crisp mountain air and the stunning visual display create a truly unforgettable atmosphere.
Sunset rides during fall are particularly spectacular, as the golden light illuminates the colorful foliage and the surrounding peaks, creating a photographer's paradise. +1 It's a chance to capture the essence of Colorado's autumn beauty from a unique perspective. Beyond the visual feast, the gondola's free access makes experiencing this natural wonder accessible to everyone. It's a perfect activity for a crisp fall day, offering a comfortable and scenic way to appreciate the grandeur of the San Juan Mountains as they prepare for winter.
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