America trip | Off the Beaten Path Colorado

Estes Park lies at the foot of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, with Estes Lake at its heart. With such surroundings and an extensive network of excellent walking trails, it is no surprise that Estes Park is a magnet for walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts. For waterfalls and a good workout, head to the Fern Lake trail or take a leisurely stroll along one of the many family-friendly paths. Fitter and more adventurous travellers can enjoy the challenge of climbing the famous Longs Peak, whilst for something a little less strenuous, the Estes Park Aerial Tramway will take you to the top of Prospect Mountain to enjoy spectacular 360-degree views. To unwind after a day out, you can enjoy live music, craft beers and a great atmosphere in the town’s lively local pubs.

Situated in northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park stretches across the Continental Divide and encompasses a number of protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. This majestic park boasts numerous scenic driving routes and hiking trails, including Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the US; Old Fall River Road, surrounded by beautiful birch trees and rivers; and the Keyhole Route, which winds through vertical rock faces and leads to the park’s highest mountain: Longs Peak. The park is home to stunning flora and fauna and offers visitors the chance to enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as fishing, rafting, horse riding, swimming in hot springs and exploring over 560 kilometres of hiking trails – from flat, easy walks around a mountain lake to challenging multi-day hikes.

As well as being a hub for visitors keen to hit the ski slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s capital is a fantastic destination in its own right. During your visit to the city, you can explore attractions such as the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Zoo, the Forney Transportation Museum or Coors Baseball Field. There are some great tours to go on in the Denver area. For example, you could take part in a beer tasting or Stranahan’s Colorado Whisky Tour. Or pay a visit to the picturesque Balistreri Vineyards.

Colorado, a dream destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, is a western state in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States of America. The landscapes of this spectacularly beautiful state are characterised by vast arid deserts, dramatic river gorges and towering, snow-capped mountain peaks. Whilst Colorado’s impressive ski resorts offer excellent skiing in the winter months and fantastic walking and cycling trails in the summer, the many ‘dude ranches’ provide the chance to experience the exciting life of a cowboy. Meanwhile, cosmopolitan cities such as Denver, Boulder and Aspen offer equally exciting urban adventures in their vibrant city centres. Whether you’re coming for the incredible mountain views, the thrilling slopes or the charming mountain towns with echoes of the Old West, Colorado is a place that seems tailor-made for wild adventures.

At the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, at an altitude of nearly 2,000 metres, lies the city of Colorado Springs. Founded in 1871, Colorado’s second-largest city has evolved from a picturesque Victorian spa town into a modern, sophisticated city, yet this development has not detracted from its small-town charm. Here you’ll find museums covering themes such as fine art, aviation, mining, ghost towns and notorious figures from the Wild West. One of the main attractions in the area is the Pike National Forest, home to the glacier-carved Pikes Peak, hiking trails and the world’s highest cog railway leading to the summit. Visitors can also enjoy the red sandstone formations in the Garden of the Gods park and go ziplining along the canyon wall above the waterfalls.

Alamosa is situated in the state of Colorado and is the largest town in the San Luis Valley. This university town boasts a number of interesting attractions, such as the San Luis Valley Museum, the Colorado Gator Farm (featuring a biome of tropical plants) and the picturesque Zapata Falls, but is best known for the access it provides to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This highly diverse area, which features not only towering sand dunes but also Rocky Mountain peaks, mountain lakes and tundra, is a paradise for walkers, with an extensive network of scenic walking trails. Mosca Creek is a popular picnic spot and – although there is no formal accommodation available in the park – camping in the backcountry is available free of charge.

In the north of New Mexico, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo range, lies the second-oldest city in the United States: Santa Fe. This capital of New Mexico, founded in 1610 as a Spanish colony, is renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and its thriving creative arts scene. Colourful open-air markets, historic buildings, art galleries and museums sit side by side with modern restaurants and lively nightclubs. Outside the city, highlights include Bandelier National Monument, which protects over 13,000 hectares of canyons and ancient dwellings, and the many mountain retreats, which offer opportunities for hiking, cycling, horse riding, skiing and enjoying geothermal spas. The mountains also offer ideal conditions for rock climbing, hot-air ballooning and parasailing, whilst the rivers near Santa Fe are perfect for rafting.

The state of New Mexico is situated in the south-west of the United States and encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, including the scenic Chihuahuan Desert and the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The state’s capital, Santa Fe, is known for its excellent spas, impressive Spanish colonial architecture and its vibrant local art scene. New Mexico offers visitors unspoilt natural landscapes featuring a number of wild caves and caverns, as well as museums and galleries showcasing Native American culture. Other popular attractions include the White Sands National Monument, the world’s largest sand dune field; Bandelier National Park, featuring ancestral pueblos, rock paintings, rugged trails and wildlife; and a sacred site at the 460-metre-high jagged rock formation known as Shiprock Pinnacle. Visitors can also look forward to horse riding, skiing, sand sledging, hiking and visiting Blue Hole, a beautiful 24-metre-deep crystal-clear pool.

Situated near the border with New Mexico in south-western Colorado, the small town of Durango offers a range of outdoor and cultural attractions. Durango has something to offer every traveller, from Old West experiences to ancient ruins, and from art and culture to adventure sports. On the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, visitors can travel along a winding route through breathtaking canyons aboard a steam train that has been in service since 1882. The history of the indigenous Pueblo people in this area is preserved at Mesa Verde National Park, where visitors can learn all about this fascinating Native American heritage. A visit to the Durango Arts Centre and the Diamond Belle Saloon in the centre of Durango is a must. This saloon is renowned as one of the most famous original ragtime piano bars in the Wild West. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, white-water rafting, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding

Mesa Verde National Park, situated in the US state of Colorado, is the largest archaeological reserve in the US and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mesa Verde, named after the lush plateaus in the area (the words literally mean ‘green table’), was home to the indigenous people who lived here from 600 to 1300 AD and built their homes into the cliffs. There are more than 600 of these cliff dwellings, as well as 4,000 other archaeological sites. Don’t miss a guided tour of Balcony House and Spruce Tree House and, time permitting, visit the Visitor and Research Centre and the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum.

Located in south-west Colorado, Mesa Verde Country lies near the entrance to the magnificent Mesa Verde National Park. For over fourteen centuries, the land now known as Mesa Verde Country was home to the Ancestral Puebloans, and many archaeological remains bear witness to their fascinating traditional culture. These archaeological attractions include Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Ute Mountain Tribal Park, the Anasazi Heritage Centre and the Cortez Cultural Centre. Not to be missed are the two national roads that pass through Mesa Verde Country: the San Juan Skyway (also known as America’s Most Beautiful Drive) and the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway. Visitors to this area can also enjoy mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and fishing.

Tucked away in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in the Colorado Rockies lies the carefully restored 19th-century ghost town of Dunton, a charming collection of 13 luxury cabins surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery in Colorado, USA. Visitors to this rustic resort can enjoy a wealth of summer activities, such as horse riding, hiking, mountain biking and river rafting. When winter transforms the region into a frozen paradise, travellers can go cross-country skiing on the snow-covered slopes, relax in the warm waters of the hot springs of the same name, and gather round the open fire at River Camp for delicious hot chocolate, board games and a hot lunch. Meals are enjoyed together in the Saloon. The resort also serves as a base from which to explore the San Juan National Forest.

Soaring desert mesas, cavernous canyons, towering peaks and verdant meadows stretch across 1.8 million acres of south-west Colorado, USA, creating the awe-inspiring expanse of the San Juan National Forest. The area encompasses three wilderness areas: the South San Juan Wilderness, the Weminuche Wilderness and the Lizard Head Wilderness. Winding through the San Juan Skyway, the Alpine Loop Backcountry, the National Forest scenic byway and the Bureau of Land Management 4WD scenic byway, the route promises spectacular views of mountain cliffs, powerful rapids and cascading waterfalls. As a fantastic fishing hotspot, keen anglers can cast their lines in the Pine River, Weminuche Creek and the many lakes that dot the stunning landscape. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy mountain biking, fishing, hiking, skiing, horse riding, camping, kayaking and river rafting on the Lower Animas River.

Montrose, situated in the beautiful state of Colorado, is a municipality and the county town of Montrose County. This enchanting destination offers stunning drives, exciting hikes, cosy eateries, iconic art galleries and interesting antique shops. History enthusiasts can enjoy the fascinating Montrose County Historical Museum, the Museum of the Mountain West and the Ute Indian Museum, whilst art lovers can admire the breathtaking sculptures in Montrose town centre. This classic Colorado town is within easy reach of a remarkable selection of adventurous and picturesque attractions, including the magical San Juan Mountains, the vast Uncompahgre Plateau, the enchanting Grand Mesa and the impressive Black Canyon National Park. From birdwatching, walking, cycling and climbing to skiing and kayaking – the possibilities for outdoor adventures in Montrose are endless.

Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks shrouded in lush forests, the ‘Switzerland of America’, Ouray County, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts in the state of Colorado. Set along the renowned Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop, its five wonderful sulphur-free yet mineral-rich hot springs, situated in unforgettable locations, provide the ultimate way to relax after an active day exploring the landscape. Nicknamed the ‘Jeeping Capital of the World’, Ouray is a land of superb rugged mountain trails, ideal for heart-pounding adventures, and is home to the famous San Juan Skyway, known as one of the most scenic drives in America. In winter, enjoy back-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, or climb the breathtaking cliffs; in summer, discover ancient Native American ruins amidst waterfalls and wildflowers. A historic steam train travelling through the area offers a leisurely way to take in the views.

Glenwood Springs, situated at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River and the Colorado River in Colorado, is a vibrant town best known for its rich history and exceptionally beautiful natural surroundings. Apart from the area’s network of relaxing hot springs, the main attraction here is Glenwood Canyon, which offers endless recreational opportunities, such as hiking, cycling and river rafting. Visitors can also look forward to relaxing in one of the beautiful hot springs, or experiencing the thrill of skydiving and parachuting. Not to be missed is the unique Hanging Lake – a crystal-clear turquoise lake suspended on the edge of the Glenwood Canyon cliffs, with a number of spectacular waterfalls cascading over the edge.

Nestled at the foot of Snowmass Mountain in Pitkin County, Colorado, the alpine village of Snowmass is a popular winter sports destination. Situated next to the renowned Aspen ski area, Snowmass is well-known for its wide variety of adventure sports and offers visitors a range of comfortable accommodation options and excellent restaurants. It is home to a fossilised Ice Age lake bed, which has earned it a place on North America’s palaeontological map. Visitors can look forward to top-class slopes and spectacular views of a series of dramatic peaks. Whilst it is best known as a winter destination with a world-class ski resort, Snowmass also offers a variety of other activities such as hiking, cycling, shopping, festivals, guided nature walks, zip-lining and wildlife spotting.

From the skyscrapers of New York City to the scenic country roads of New England, The United States of America is a place of beauty and of unprecedented diversity. Visit the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, the famous Empire State Building, the Iconic Statue of Liberty and catch a glimpse of the lights of Las Vegas! Not to mention the country's natural treasures: the many national parks with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The beaches on both the east and west coasts are also well worth a visit. The United States is a country of such vast dimensions that a lifetime in the United States can still feel like you have barely seen any of the country.