If you’re living in Colorado or just visiting, there are a few things you may want to add to your adventure bucket list. You don’t have to be a thrill seeker to enjoy some of the finer views Colorado has to offer. Whether you’re living on the Western Slope or visiting the front range, there are a wide variety of things you’ll want to consider adding to your personal bucket list.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
To get an overhead view of Colorado beauty, you can’t go wrong with a hot air balloon ride. Available for ages 5 and up, riders will be able to see 360-degree views of the Colorado mountains, lakes, rivers, and even wildlife on their guided tour. From Telluride, Breckenridge, Denver, Colorado Springs, or the Cañon City area you can see unmatched beauty usually from May through October every year. Telluride usually has a balloon festival every summer over an entire weekend, which is a sight to see.
Via Ferrata
The Italian term “via ferrata” means “iron path,” which is actually not much of a traditional path at all. If you enjoy heights, these daring climbing routes are for you. Your harness attached to steel cables, rungs and ladders are the only supports you’ll have on this cliff-side journey. Not for the faint of heart, you can enjoy a breathtaking climb in the Royal Gorge, Telluride and Ouray. Guided tours are available and highly recommended for first timers. Telluride is actually the easier route with a 2b rating, whereas Ouray is rated 4b. Walk across a cable “bridge” through canyons, and you will have an experience you won’t forget.
Helicopter Rides
One low-risk adventure is a helicopter excursion in central Colorado. While Denver and Colorado Springs do offer scenic tours over historic areas with mountain views, you might want to venture to the Cañon City area to fly over the nation’s highest suspension bridge. In addition to the stunning Royal Gorge tour, you can choose between Pikes Peak scenery, Big Horn sheep viewing, mountain runs, and even sunset tours. Experienced pilots can take as many as 5 passengers for up to 2 hours on a low altitude flight so you can see Colorado up close from the air.
Paragliding
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying in the open air, paragliding or hang-gliding might just be the adventure for you. Between Boulder and Telluride, you can find at least 9 outfits that can take you on a thrilling ride. Not for the faint of heart, you will need your tennis shoes to get a 20-foot running start down a hillside to get started. Weather permitting, this is a year-round service that can take you up to 3,000 feet, so don’t forget your windbreaker. Ages 5 to 75 can enjoy a tandem ride with an experienced paraglider for a 10 to 20-minute run, or extended runs up to 2 hours long.
Skydiving
If you don’t mind jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, sky diving is the thrill-seeker’s dream. Sign a waiver, tie back your hair, and hang on for the ride of your life! With 8 different locations from Delta to Colorado Springs, you will fly around 7,500 to 12,000 feet above the mile-high Colorado ground before free-falling with your tandem instructor. You’ll need some close-toed shoes here as well for your running landing. Enjoy a 5-minute jump once you reach the desired altitude, and get ready for the photo-op of your life!
Scenic Train Rides
If you prefer your feet closer to the ground, a mellow train ride through some of the more remote areas of Colorado might be your speed. Steam-powered locomotives can take you through mountain tunnels, along crystal clear rivers, and viewing historic mining towns and wildlife along the way. A short drive south from Montrose, a popular train ride is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trip. Stop along the way to fish or pan for gold, if you desire. Themed train rides are also available for kids and adults, so music, beer, wine or holiday trips could be the perfect option for you. Bring the whole family for an affordable adventure.
Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or not, Colorado has a lot to offer when filling out your bucket list. With endless opportunities on the Western Slope, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy some amazing adventures in your own back yard. Don’t forget your camera and sunscreen for some of the most memorable experiences of your life!
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Copyright 2021 Keller Williams Colorado West Realty, LLC. If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal opportunity housing provider. Each office is independently owned and operated. For sale by owner data not included in research findings. Sales data reflects sales from homes not limited to the Atha Team LLC. This information was gathered from Keller Williams, The National Association of Realtor, CoreLogic data analysis firm, Montrose Association of Realtors, and the Mortgage Brokers Association. This data is considered accurate, but is not guaranteed. Copyright Atha Team LLC 2021. All Rights Reserved. Sources: Colorado Balloon Rides, San Juan Mountain Guides, CBS Denver, Colorado.com, Ultimate Skydiving Adventures, Colorado.com.