Views from the Gondola are always spectacular. In autumn, when this scenic 12-minute ride is surrounded by seas of golden aspens hugging the hillsides, they become an unforgettable sight to behold. The Gondola was primarily designed to be a means of transportation between the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, but in the fall, its four stops — Station Telluride, San Sophia, Mountain Village and Market Plaza — are all you really need to immerse yourself in the fall colors and start any memorable leaf-peeping session off right. 

The classic

The simplest way to take in the surrounding red, orange and yellow hues is a ride on the Gondola itself. When you’re soaring above the amber treetops at 10,800 feet, it’s like being whisked away into another world — especially in the morning when the rising sun hits the slopes just right, engulfing riders in an ethereal experience. There may even be early-season snow to top the trees and transform the area into a crisp, colorful wonderland. Be sure to check out the Gondola connecting Mountain Village and Market Plaza, a quick three-minute ride that offers panoramic views to the north of the San Sophias.

Cheers to that

If you prefer your golden tones alongside a golden beverage, there are several options worth a “cheers” near the Gondola. Grab a patio seat at Tomboy Tavern in Mountain Village and watch bikers descend through the foliage, or hop off at Station San Sophia for a carefully curated glass of wine in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows at Allred’s. If you’d rather drink amongst the trees, stop in Telluride and stroll over to the outdoor patio at Oak, where the beer is cold, the hillsides vibrant and the vibe dog-friendly. Another Telluride option is Cosmopolitan, which has a popular happy hour from 4-5 p.m. and a front-row view of the Gondola.

Autumn adventures

Get up close and personal with the aspen groves on an adventure that begins right at the Gondola. Traverse the Ridge Trail, which connects Station San Sophia and Mountain Village for a casual family-friendly hike through the trees, or (more challenging) head up See Forever to the Wasatch Connection for sweeping, unobstructed views of the orange hues blanketing Bear Creek Canyon. If you prefer your fall foliage with a touch of adrenaline, hop off at Station San Sophia and cruise down the Telluride Bike Park through the golden leaves, or try the Canopy Adventure, a course of ziplines, aerial bridges and rappels that will take you soaring through the foliage up to 140 feet in the air. 

Chill and casual

One thing that could make the area’s fall colors even better? A sunset. When the sun starts setting, head to Station San Sophia with a blanket, jacket and your favorite snacks, and grab a spot on the knoll looking west. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Utah. To the north and east, you might catch the alpenglow gracing peaks over Telluride. Another casual, but stunning, way to take in the color is on the River Trail, a flat, family-friendly trail that is engulfed by aspens and runs along the San Miguel River.