Colorado & Utah by motorcycle

Free day in Denver. The Mile High City sits at 1,609 m and is surrounded by mountains. You are in the heart of Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the country's largest mountain range. 

Born of the gold rush in the 19th century, Denver is one of our favorite cities: young, dynamic, green. 

While the historic LoDo district is full of charm with its Victorian homes, others are worth exploring, such as Capitol Hill, home to the Denver Art Museum and the State Capitol. 

The RiNo district has become trendy, with organic restaurants, murals and hipsters... 

South of leafy Cheesman Park (with the beautiful botanic gardens), Cherry Creek is a more upscale neighborhood, also nice. And Denver is the capital of beer, with many breweries, large and craft.

Overnight in Denver.

Morning transfer to the rental company and pick up the motorcycle. 

This stage is short, for an easy warm-up on two wheels. 

Head to Golden, a great opportunity for train lovers to visit the fascinating railroad museum! 

Things get serious with the twisties of Golden Gate Canyon, then the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, a beautiful scenic road unfolding its curves through this part of the Rockies. 

The ride ends in Estes Park, gateway to magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park, which you will cross the next day via the superb Trail Ridge. 

Go have a drink at the Stanley Hotel, where Stanley Kubrick wrote his famous The Shining.

Overnight in Estes Park.

A magnificent stage with 3 passes above 3,500 m! A grand start with one of the most beautiful (and highest) roads in the country: Trail Ridge Road, crossing Rocky Mountain National Park. 

The road climbs above 3,700 m in a fabulous tundra landscape. 

Descend to Grand Lake for a coffee break in this adorable lakeside town.

After a ride through the Arapaho National Forest, you reach Georgetown, a former mining town that had its golden age during the gold rush. 

Then head for Guanella Pass, close to 3,600 m, before reaching Breckenridge, one of the most renowned ski resorts in the Rockies. It's a great little town, lively in both summer and winter.

Overnight in Breckenridge (or nearby).

After Breckenridge, Frisco is worth a short break with its pleasant Main Street. 

Pass near Copper Mountain, another renowned ski resort. Arrive in Leadville, a friendly town where it's nice to stop. You can visit a museum dedicated to mining activity in Colorado and the region.

After Twin Lakes, you start the very beautiful road leading to Independance Pass. Rising to nearly 3,700 m, it sits on the famous Continental Divide.

Shortly after the pass, stretch your legs at Independence Ghost Town, a small ghost hamlet with only a few scattered remains. 

Arrival in Aspen, your stop for the day. Below Snowmass, you may be lucky enough to catch a rodeo... 

Overnight in Aspen or Snowmass Village.

Ride toward the lovely little hamlet of Redstone, along the Crystal River. 

Pass by the small Hayes Creek falls. 

Head for McClure Pass, then Paonia Reservoir. Possible break in Paonia, a bit further in Hotchkiss, or in Delta, at the foot of Grand Mesa.

You will enjoy the beautiful Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, winding through a lovely area dotted with mountain lakes. 

After the Powderhorn and Mesa ski areas, your first canyons lined with red sandstone walls so typical of the West. 

You reach Grand Junction and the Colorado River after crossing a pretty vineyard region. 

Overnight in Grand Junction.

Leave Grand Junction heading to the magnificent Colorado National Monument, which you will cross via Rim Rock Drive, with a few stunning viewpoints along the way. 

Then head for Gateway, an isolated small town crossed by the Dolores River, with a highly reputed lodge (the superb car museum that used to be on site is unfortunately no longer operating).  

The route follows the Dolores River. A pure delight for riders! Stop at the splendid Hanging Flume viewpoint, with an incredible view over a bend in the Dolores River.

Arrive in Utah, then follow the La Sal Mountains (or cross them via the scenic La Sal Loop) and ride up to Moab. 

Overnight in Moab.

No bags to pack or unpack...

Moab sits at the gates of two of the most beautiful U.S. national parks: Arches, home to the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches (nearly 2,000!), and the immense Canyonlands, which we strongly recommend visiting to take in breathtaking views over the White Rim and the confluence of the Colorado and Green River, around Dead Horse Point.

In our eyes, the spectacle is just as grand as the Grand Canyon. Plenty to do on this 'rest' day.

Overnight in Moab.

Optional activities: 4x4 in Canyonlands, rafting on the Colorado (family-friendly), etc.
Note: option to add a 3rd night in Moab to fully enjoy Arches & Canyonlands.

After Monticello and Blanding, head for Natural Bridges Nat'l Monument.

This little-visited site is home to 3 magnificent natural bridges carved by a riverbed—do not confuse them with arches, which result from erosion... The loop road through the area is beautiful. 

Ride down the famous Moki Dugway, offering one of the most spectacular panoramas in the country over the Valley of the Gods! 

For some, it may be a first: the road is unpaved on the few switchbacks descending into the Valley of the Gods...

Short stop at Goosenecks State Park, a superb viewpoint over the meanders of the San Juan River, before reaching Mexican Hat on the banks of that same San Juan.

Overnight in Mexican Hat (option to stay in Monument Valley, facing the mesas / supplement applies).

Head for Monument Valley, reached via a road with magnificent viewpoints, including the famous Forrest Gump Point.

You are in Navajo territory. This mythical site has been repeatedly immortalized by Hollywood : Stagecoach, Once Upon a Time in the West, Easy Rider, Thelma & Louise, and of course Forrest Gump! 

The Valley Drive track that winds through the site is off-limits to motorcycles, so you will need to take the guided pick-up excursion. 

Head to Colorado, with a detour via Mesa Verde National Park and its impressive Anasazi cliff dwellings. 

Arrival in Durango, one of our favorite small towns. 

Overnight in Durango (option to overnight inside Mesa Verde park).

Head for the San Juan Skyway. 

Silverton and Ouray are two former mining towns that have kept plenty of charm. 

After Silverton, the San Juan is nicknamed the Million Dollar Highway, referring either to its construction cost or to the number of views it offers along the way... Opinions differ. 

You will cross the highest point of the route, Red Mountain Pass, at 3,375 m. Observe the vivid red and orange hues of the summit, caused by ore oxidation, once heavily mined.

Ride toward Montrose, then detour to the impressive and dark Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

Continue toward the large Blue Mesa Reservoir, then Gunnison, the last stop before Crested Butte. 

Overnight in Crested Butte (or nearby).

Ride back down to Gunnison before heading for Monarch Pass at 3,448 m, via a magnificent and lightly traveled road. 

After the Monarch Mountain ski area, the road follows the South Arkansas River then descends toward Poncha Springs. 

Break in Salida, on the banks of the Arkansas River. You'll find a distillery, some great shops, bars and restaurants. 

Head for Royal Gorge, famous for its impressive bridge spanning the Arkansas River gorge. 

The road along the river is a treat for riders! 

Reach Manitou Springs, at the foot of Pikes Peak, via the very pretty and bucolic Gold Belt Scenic Byway. 

Overnight in Manitou Springs.

Meet at the legendary Pikes Peak! 

Famous for its races (the best champions complete the 20 km in under 10'), it's an unmissable pilgrimage. 

You will reach the summit at 4,302 m after 156 turns (more if you count the ones outside the race line...), through breathtaking scenery. But you'll be riding at max 30 mph! This is strictly enforced—be careful. The summit offers incredible panoramic views, to enjoy while trying not to run out of air...

Optional detour to the former mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor. 

While Cripple Creek mainly has casinos hidden behind restored old brick façades, you can also go down—not 6, but 1,000 feet underground—to admire raw gold veins.

Overnight in Manitou Springs.

Small detour to beautiful Garden of the Gods, north of Colorado Springs, a site featuring magnificent red sandstone spires.

Return the motorcycle in Denver at the end of the day.

Transfer to your hotel. 

Overnight in Denver.

Free morning depending on your flight schedule. If you have time, go admire the splendid lobby of the Brown Palace hotel.

Transfer to Denver airport. 

Return flight to Europe. Arrival the next day. 

Extension or itinerary changes on request