Climb up a ‘14er’
Colorado is home to 53 peaks over 14,000ft (4,200 metres – see14ers.com), more than any other US state, and summer is the season for climbing them. Although many are the reserve of experienced mountaineers, the views from the summit of Mount Bierstadt, less than two hours west of Denver, are spectacular and within easy reach of most hikers.
White-water rafting
Royal Gorge Canyon, on the Arkansas river, is state’s ultimate rafting adventure, with near continuous white water and knee-trembling rapids such as the endearingly named Wallslammer. Arkansas River Tours (arkansasrivertours.com) has half-day trips from $70pp.
Colorado is home to 53 peaks over 14,000ft (4,200 metres – see14ers.com), more than any other US state, and summer is the season for climbing them. Although many are the reserve of experienced mountaineers, the views from the summit of Mount Bierstadt, less than two hours west of Denver, are spectacular and within easy reach of most hikers.
White-water rafting
Royal Gorge Canyon, on the Arkansas river, is state’s ultimate rafting adventure, with near continuous white water and knee-trembling rapids such as the endearingly named Wallslammer. Arkansas River Tours (arkansasrivertours.com) has half-day trips from $70pp.
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| Rafting in Royal Gorge Canyon |
Colorado beer trail
Colorado’s front range, between Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins, is known as the Napa Valley of beer, with more than 100 local and award-winning breweries. Hop on the Colorado Brewery Bus (cobrewerybus.com, from $45pp) for a tasting tour of some of the best.
Native American history
The spectacular Native American cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde national park, in southern Colorado, are one of America’s best-preserved archeological wonders. Explore thousands of ruins and cliff dwellings then take a native guide into the Ute tribe’s ancestral lands that border the park (utemountaintribalpark.info day tour $48pp, half-day $29)
Music festivals
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| The Flaming Lips will play the Telluride Blues and Brews festival. |
Colorado shows off its hippy roots in summer with an almost endless series of outdoor music festivals. Highlights include the Snowmass Mammoth music, brews and chili festival in June and the Global Dance festival at the picturesque Red Rocks Amphitheatre in July. In September there’s the cool little Telluride Blues & Brews festival and also Riotfest in Denver, with bands like Flaming Lips and the Cure.
