Entry No. 43 — the Durango file — filed under: underground

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour

Three German brothers staked this claim in 1872, a mining company sank over a million dollars into it, a corporation poured in six million more — and every last one of them died broke. You ride an electric mine train one-third of a mile into Galena Mountain, drop to a constant 48°F, and stand next to ore veins that broke four generations of investors while a veteran miner demonstrates the pneumatic drill that blew the rock apart. Water drips off the ceiling onto your hard hat, the train echoes, and somewhere deeper in the dark a raise cage still hangs where miners used to climb between levels.

The move: Drive the hour from Durango up to Silverton, ride the man-trip underground before lunch, pan for silver and gold at the covered picnic area after, then grab a green chile burger in town on the way back.

📍 Before you go Free on-site parking including RV and bus spaces. Tour is electric train then easy walking — no significant climbing underground. County Road 4A off Highway 110 north of Silverton; the turnoff is easy to miss. Groups of 20+ require advance reservation; walk-ins fine for individuals.

• 📍 Silverton
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 721 County Road 4A, Silverton, CO 81433

Hours: Added 2026-06-21 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-21