Meander along Colorado’s scenic tracks

Pierced from north to south by the grandeur of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, Colorado is one of the USA’s most spectacular states. And of the 100 highest peaks spanning the 4,828km-long range, 78 are in Colorado. But how to admire this majestic landscape is another question.

With several spectacular lines crisscrossing the state, the romance of rail is alive and well in Colorado. So, take it slowly, pull back the curtains and soak up the cinematic scenery passing by. Here are some of Colorado’s finest routes:

With a vivid name that is bound to excite, the people behind the Rocky Mountaineer have launched the Canyon Spirit service, which winds between Utah’s Martian-like landscape and Colorado’s magnificent mountains. Two- and three-day journeys head from Denver to Moab and Salt Lake City respectively, or vice-versa.

One highlight heading west is the serpentine trail into Glenwood Springs, where the route is surrounded by the soaring Rocky Mountains. Famous for its warming geothermal pools, this town on the the Colorado River is where travellers spend a night at a local hotel before picking up the journey, as Colorado’s magic awaits.

Following the meandering Colorado River, the line is flanked by 396m-high canyons dotted by oak brush trees and bighorn sheep, so drink in as much of this otherworldly landscape as possible before the journey ends (or indeed, begins) in Denver.

Book online at thecanyonspirit.com and choose which dates and package best suits your travel plans.

Hauled by great 1900s steam-powered vintage locomotives through Southern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is evocative of a bygone age and one of the few remaining heritage lines in the US.

Beginning in Durango, the route runs for 72km to the historic mining town of Silverton, with choices of accommodation ranging from the Victorian splendour of Presidential Class to open-air gondolas exposed to Colorado’s fresh mountain scent. Taking around 3.5 hours, the journey winds along the cascading waters of the Animas River, while dense forests of pine and high canyons rise on either side. The route traverses the Rockies of Southwest Colorado year-round, and it’s the fall months where blazing oranges and reds contrast against powder blue skies and turn this into something magisterial. This special train ride has been lauded as the Best Scenic Train Ride by USA Today’s readers for five years running (2020-2025).

During the winter months, there’s another scene change as the stunning 65-minute Polar Express powers through glistening snow to Cascade Canyon, with Santa onboard to delight younger travellers.

Secure your seat at durangotrain.com

While modern carnation-red trains heave passengers up to the mighty Pikes Peak, this is also an iconic route that’s run for over 130 years. Soaring to 4,299m, Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rockies, making the Pikes Peak Cog Railway arguably one of America’s most exhilarating travel experiences.

Though the route is just 14km long, this slow, steep journey passes through the lush Pike National Forest, past the imposing craggy walls of Englemann Canyon and by stacked boulder formations, groves of pine and spruce, and gushing waterfalls. The widescreen views become ever more spectacular as the sleek train creeps beyond 2,743m, and keep an eye out for wildlife including elk, deer, bighorn sheep and bears.

At the high summit, there are hiking and biking trails, or you can simply stay and admire the view. Also, it was at this spot that Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write America the Beautiful.

Book your tickets at cograilway.com

One of the deepest and narrowest canyons in Colorado, the Royal Gorge looks like something straight out of a Hollywood adventure movie. And along the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, its chunky orange 1950s locomotives fringe the Arkansas River as soaring 396m granite walls enclose, forming one of Colorado’s most unique scenes.

Taking around two hours and following part of the old Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, this epic route begins in Cañon City and makes its journey through the grandiose canyon before finishing at its western terminus at Parkdale. Travelling through such a distinctly vertical landscape, it’s the Vista Dome carriages and their large curved windows that offer the greatest views. And while the train meanders amid the gorge’s high walls, there are opportunities to spot a bald eagle or a blue heron gliding in the crisp Colorado air above.

To book this unforgettable journey, head over to royalgorgeroute.com

Another wonderful state-straddling journey is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which runs between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. A heritage line following 102km of track, the route traverses the 3,053 m-high Cumbres Pass and the cavernous Toltec Gorge, as it snakes between the two state lines a total of 11 times.

With their huge funnels and angled snowploughs, the vintage locomotives pulling the cars are part of the appeal of riding this leisurely line into some of Colorado’s lesser-known landscapes. There are no roads in this cinematic wilderness, so this railroad is the only way to witness its high horseshoe curves, tall aspen tree groves, craggy mountain canyons and distant wildlife. And as the old workhorse loco chugs along the 6.5-hour journey, you can stroll between your coach and the open-air gondola car where there are vast unobstructed views of the great American West.

Book your tickets at cumbrestoltec.com

Within easy reach of Denver, the Georgetown Loop Railroad is a short, open-air 7.2km journey through some spectacular Rocky Mountain landscapes. Completed in 1884, it was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions and the narrow gauge railroad runs 3.2km up to Silver Plume before heading back down again to Georgetown.

With the heritage locomotive’s bells, whistles and smoke piercing the fresh Colorado air, the route starts by crossing a gently curving high trestle bridge which, while slightly unnerving, is also a magnificent spot to grab a photo as the train chugs into the hillside. It then zigzags up the hill, over rushing rivers and past wooden cabins before stopping at Silver Plume. The return journey back to Georgetown is unique too, as the engine then faces the carriages and reverses down the hill.

Georgetown was also once a busy silver mining town in the 19th century, and an optional walking tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine can be enjoyed as part of the trip too.

Book your tickets at georgetownlooprr.com

Colorado’s alpine landscape is perfect for anyone looking to hit the slopes, and Amtrak’s Winter Park Express runs between December and March, whisking powder hounds off to the historic Winter Park Resort.

Departing from Denver’s handsome Union Station, this slick modern train glides by the city’s western suburbs and into the rising foothills of the Rockies surrounded by a sugar-white winter wonderland. Cruising past snow-capped trees and leggy gangs of Elk, the train climbs 1,219m and passes through 30 tunnels, including the iconic 9.9km Moffat Tunnel – the highest tunnel in the US – on its way through the Continental Divide before arriving at Winter Park.

With a track length of 90km, the journey takes around two hours to complete and is ideal for making your way to a ski adventure on the slopes without having to drive. With one-way fares starting at $19 USD, it’s a particularly affordable way to climb up into the mountains too. The train also continues on to the town of Fraser, which is Amtrak’s highest-elevation train station at 2,609m.

Visit amtrak.com/winterparkexpress to secure a seat.