The Corridors: Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast from Denver to Portland

Denver stretches out at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, exactly one mile above sea level, hence its famous nickname of the "Mile High City". Capital of Colorado, it is a dynamic, open-air metropolis, the ideal gateway to the great wild expanses of the American West, where urban energy meets a passion for nature and mountain sports. Its historic core is LoDo (Lower Downtown), a district of nineteenth-century red-brick warehouses skilfully restored and now alive with craft breweries, galleries and venues. Here stands the splendid Union Station, an elegant railway terminal transformed into a lively gathering place of cafés, restaurants and shops. Nearby, the pedestrian 16th Street Mall cuts through the commercial and financial centre, while the Colorado State Capitol, with its gold-leafed dome, dominates the Civic Center. The city boasts a notable arts scene, with the boldly designed Denver Art Museum and the creative RiNo (River North) district, a realm of street art and breweries, for Denver is considered one of America's craft-beer capitals. Culture lovers will find nearby the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a natural amphitheatre set among towering red rock formations, among the most spectacular concert arenas in the world. Its privileged location makes Denver the perfect base from which to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, the ski resorts of Aspen and Vail, and Colorado's endless alpine landscapes. The local table reflects the frontier spirit, with grilled meats, Tex-Mex cuisine and local produce, to be paired with one of the city's countless beers. Between gleaming skyscrapers, mountain trails and more than three hundred days of sunshine a year, Denver invites you to fully embrace the adventure of the West, with one foot in the city and your gaze turned toward the peaks.

Vail is one of the most prestigious ski resorts in North America, nestled among the peaks of Colorado's Rocky Mountains at over 2,400 metres of altitude. Its ski area, among the largest in the United States, is famous for the boundless Back Bowls, vast natural amphitheatres offering legendary runs through fresh powder. The heart of the resort, Vail Village, is a charming pedestrian town with an alpine atmosphere, Tyrolean-style architecture, refined boutiques, gourmet restaurants and lively après-ski. But Vail is not just about winter: with the warmer season the mountains open up to hiking, mountain biking, golf and open-air concerts amid landscapes of flowering meadows and pine forests. With world-class skiing, elegance and grand nature, Vail is the quintessential American mountain holiday, refined and unforgettable.

Framed by Colorado's Rocky Mountains, where the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers meet, Glenwood Springs is a historic spa town set amid spectacular mountain scenery. Its hot waters, flowing from natural springs, feed one of the world's largest thermal pools, drawing those in search of relaxation and wellbeing for generations. Above the town, a gondola climbs to the Iron Mountain Adventure Park, while the nearby Glenwood Canyon offers scenic trails up to the striking Hanging Lake, an emerald pool suspended among the rocks. Volcanic caves, the ski slopes of renowned Aspen not far away and rafting-friendly waters round out an offering that blends adventure and rest. Grand Junction rises in the Colorado River valley at its confluence with the Gunnison, the main city of the state's western slope. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, it is an ideal base for visiting Colorado National Monument, with its red-rock canyons, and the orchards and vineyards of the Grand Valley. The lively pedestrian downtown and thriving food-and-wine scene round out the appeal. Grand Junction is the perfect destination for those seeking desert nature, mountain wines and outdoor adventure in western Colorado.

Rock Springs rises on the arid highlands of southwestern Wyoming, a city born from coal mining along the historic transcontinental railroad. A crossroads of the great expanses of the West, it is a convenient base for exploring spectacular desert landscapes such as Flaming Gorge, a red-walled canyon carved by the Green River, and the deserts of the Killpecker Sand Dunes. The town retains a multicultural soul, the fruit of waves of miners from around the world. Between grand geology and frontier spirit, Rock Springs is an authentic Wyoming stop.

Jackson Hole is a broad Wyoming valley framed by the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park, the southern gateway to Yellowstone and a kingdom of outdoor activities. The lively town of Jackson welcomes visitors with its famous arches made of elk antlers, art galleries, saloons and western boutiques. Don't miss a visit to the National Elk Refuge, a winter sanctuary for around 8,000 elk, and the adjacent National Museum of Wildlife Art. Along the Snake River, rafting and canoe trips run through grand landscapes, while the National Elk Refuge shelters thousands of elk in winter, viewable from horse-drawn sleighs. To the north lies Yellowstone, the world's first national park, with its steaming geysers, iridescent hot springs and extraordinary wildlife of bison, bears and wolves. An ideal destination for those seeking wild nature, hiking and skiing.

The landscape between Jackson Hole and Yellowstone is marked by the magnificent Teton mountains, rising sheer from the flat, large prairie, amidst lakes, waterfalls and forests where moose and bison roam free. The tallest peak of the range is Grand Teton, with a height of more than 4,000 m. The picturesque Teton mountains stand out dramatically in the flat prairie, amidst lakes, waterfalls, and forests inhabited by elks and bisons. The highest peak is the Grand Teton, which exceeds 4,000 meters. The main road runs along the eastern shore of the idyllic Jackson Lake with full view of Mount Moran and the Cathedral Group, the park's iconic peaks. In Colter Bay Village, the Indian Arts Gallery is beautiful, and there are several not-too-long trails to walk. Must-see spots include Willow Flats Overlook, another beautiful view of the Teton mountains, Cathedral Group Turnout, and Menors Ferry Historic District to see a house, a general store, and an 1800s icehouse, and the Chapel of the Transfiguration, perhaps the church with the most picturesque backdrop in the USA. Established in 1872 as the world's first national park, Yellowstone spreads across a volcanic plateau between Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, holding one of the most extraordinary concentrations of geothermal phenomena on the planet. Here the famous Old Faithful geyser erupts at regular intervals, while the Grand Prismatic Spring dazzles with its rings of shifting colours and the limestone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs form surreal landscapes. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, carved by the river of the same name, plunges into spectacular waterfalls between golden walls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is also a wildlife sanctuary where bison, elk, grizzly bears and wolf packs can be spotted, especially in the Lamar Valley. Among forests, alpine lakes and meadows, Yellowstone offers hikes, wildlife safaris and the thrill of a primordial, powerful nature, a symbol of the American wilderness.

Idaho Falls rises in eastern Idaho, crossed by the Snake River which forms an urban waterfall ringed by a pleasant greenbelt of trails and parks. The most populous city in the region, it is a convenient base toward nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton, as well as the volcanic landscapes of Craters of the Moon. Its lively riverfront and the Mormon temple mirrored in the waters make it a welcoming centre. A crossroads between deserts, mountains and great parks, Idaho Falls blends convenience, nature and the charm of the American West.

Twin Falls rises in southern Idaho, dramatically perched on the edge of the deep Snake River Canyon, spanned by the imposing Perrine Bridge from which base jumpers often leap. Not far away, the spectacular Shoshone Falls, nicknamed the 'Niagara of the West', plunge from a height greater than the famous Canadian falls. The area offers kayaking, hiking and scenic routes along the canyon. A crossroads between Boise and Yellowstone, set amid volcanic landscapes and fertile farmland, Twin Falls is a surprising nature stop in Idaho.

Boise, capital of Idaho, spreads along its namesake river at the foot of the Boise Foothills, where the desert plain meets the first heights of the Rocky Mountains. A city of surprising vibrancy, it owes its name to the cottonwoods that struck the early French explorers (les bois, "the woods") and today combines a dynamic downtown, a growing culinary scene and exceptional access to nature. Boise still strongly preserves its Basque cultural heritage from its early settlers.The Boise River Greenbelt, a long green path along the river, crosses the city linking parks and neighborhoods, while the picturesque Basque Block tells the heritage of the largest Basque community in the United States, with restaurants and its own museum. All around lie trails for hiking and mountain biking, rivers for rafting and ski resorts within easy reach. A city with an enviable quality of life, perfect for lovers of outdoor sport and the authenticity of the American West.

Fossil is a small town in central-eastern Oregon, set among the rolling prairies and badlands of the rural interior. Its name recalls the region's rich paleontological deposits, in particular the nearby John Day Fossil Beds, where remains of ancient geological eras emerge. Surrounded by ranches and arid hills, it offers a taste of the most authentic and remote Oregon, far from the coast.

Hood River rises in a spectacular position along the Columbia River Gorge, in northern Oregon, at the foot of majestic snow-capped Mount Hood. The town is considered the world capital of windsurfing and kitesurfing thanks to the constant winds that blow along the Columbia River. Surrounded by the orchards and vineyards of the Fruit Loop, it offers tastings of cider, wines and local produce, as well as hiking, cycling and a historic scenic railway.

Portland rises at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in Oregon, the capital of the Pacific Northwest's indie and green culture. Nicknamed the "City of Roses" for its splendid gardens, it keeps a bohemian charm built on artisan coffee, microbreweries and markets. The legendary Powell's City of Books is the world's largest independent bookshop, while the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden offer moments of pure calm. The city is surrounded by prodigious nature: snow-capped Mount Hood to the east, the spectacular Columbia River Gorge with its waterfalls to the west, and nearby the famed Willamette Valley of Pinot Noir wines. Between creative food trucks and a nonconformist spirit, Portland is a city to be savoured slowly.