Nestled in a small valley surrounded by the soaring Rocky Mountains in the southwestern corner of Colorado, Silverton is a once-booming mining town that has become a hub for mountaineers and hikers, due to its location within 15 miles of seven of Colorado’s tallest mountains. You can still see reminders of its heyday in the town’s colorful brick and wood buildings, which now house small shops, cozy cafes, and mom-and-pop restaurants.

If you want to learn more about the town’s historic main industry, head over to the Old Hundred Gold Mine, where you can go 1,500 feet underground to experience what it was like to be a miner, or to the Mayflower Gold Mill to find out how the gold was processed. And if you’re here to explore Colorado’s heights, the 20-mile-long Alpine Loop Scenic Byway gives you the chance to take in the enormous mountains and glaciers while winding your way through rugged alpine canyons.

Located 9,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, Silverton experiences wide springs between its summer heat and winter chill, though both are tempered by its dry alpine climate.

The beautiful summer days, with clear skies and many hours of sunshine, are ideal for hiking and mountain biking (though you’ll want to bring plenty of water to drink). Each August, the city hosts an arts festival in which local artists showcase their work alongside live music performers. The temperature is a bit cooler during the day in spring and fall, but the vibrant colors of the spring flowers and autumn leaves turn the mountainside into a sea of color. Do note: Because of the high elevation, the temperature regularly drops below freezing at night through most of the year, with the exception of the height of summer. Meanwhile, the winter is the slowest time of the year in Silverton, so this is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. Although the temperature can get quite chilly, this is the perfect opportunity to try some of the nearby winter activities or spend time exploring the many shops, restaurants, and bars.

Christ of the Mine Shrine

Sitting 500 feet above Silverton on the slope of Anvil Mountain, this 16-foot-tall statue of Jesus mounted on a stone pedestal has been looking down over the city for the past 60 years. A hike up to the shrine rewards hikers with fantastic views over the city of Silverton.

Alpine Loop

This famed 65-mile-long road takes you through evergreen forests, over craggy, granite cliffs, and past the summits of some of the tallest of the Rocky Mountains while it navigates through two 12,000-foot-high mountain passes. The loop is only open during the summer, and due to extremely rugged terrain, it is best explored in an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

Kendall Mountain

During the winter, this soaring mountain is home to miles of snowmobile tracks where you can snowshoe, cross-country ski, and ride fat bikes. As the snow melts, you can hike to one of the three summits to get amazing views of the surrounding mountain ranges. During the summer, it is also possible to explore the mountain via the Kendall Mountain Road.