Outdoors T e Great


Kayaking down the Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins


Colorado, sometimes referred to as ‘Nature’s Playground’, is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors. More than a third of the state’s 100,000 sq miles (259,000 sq km) is public land, with the following variety of exciting activities to choose from


Mountain climbing – Colorado has 54 mountains that exceed 14,000ft (4,267m). Although some are too demanding for all but experienced climbers, others, such as Mount Bierstadt, south of Georgetown, are ideal


for recreational hikers. Whitewater rafting – Commercial


rafting companies off er everything from adrenaline-charged Class IV whitewater experiences to ‘mild’ family- friendly fl oat trips. Rivers to consider include Chaff ee County’s Buena Vista, Salida and Arkansas, the Roaring Fork near Aspen, the Colorado near Glenwood Springs and the Cache la


Poudre in Fort Collins. Golf – Do you want to watch your golf


balls soar 10 per cent farther? It’s quite possible on Colorado’s 300 high-altitude courses, many of them award-winning and laid out by top designers. In the


8 » www.colorado.com


Denver area they are often open year- round – in the winter you can even go


golfi ng and skiing on the same weekend! Horseback riding – T e state has a


wide range of dude ranches (see page 12) and many of its tourist towns off er trail rides through scenic surrounding areas. Usually geared toward beginners, they


move at a leisurely pace. Mountain biking – Challenging


single-track mountain biking trails can be found at virtually all of the state’s ski resorts, or you can seek out more level, off -road paths outside towns such as Fruita, west of Grand Junction. Bike rental shops give advice and remind you to wear a helmet at all times! Note: You would be wise to take it easy the fi rst couple of days to let your body acclimatise to Colorado’s high altitude.


Hiking in Rocky Mountain


National Park


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