Durango routinely gets a shout out on “must see” lists for outdoor recreation, and now the city can add backpacking to the roster.

National Geographic Travel has included Durango on its list of “Where to Backpack in 2016.”

Editors searched the globe for the best locations, and Durango was the only American city to rank along with the breathtaking landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Ecuador, Iceland, Vietnam, Turkey, Zimbabwe, Eastern Europe, Patagonia and Cebu, Philippines.

National Geographic says Durango is the gateway to the 236-mile San Juan Skyway and mountain communities such as Ouray, Ridgway and Silverton.

“Colorado’s southwestern corner is far from the crowds of Denver and the rest of the Front Range, but the craggy scenery is just as stellar – if not better,” National Geographic writes. “Nestled in the Animas River Valley, it’s a young, active city full of college students and outdoorsy types drawn to the endless hiking, mountain biking, paddling and skiing options in every direction.”

Herald Staff