5- The High Road to Taos
Weaving between the valleys along the Rio Grande and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this New Mexico route makes for an American adventure with a Hispanic twist. Desert sands, peaks and greenery are broken up by old Hispanic villages, like Chimayo, Penasco and Truchas – known for their artisan crafts.
Bring your cowboy hat and holster because you’ll recognise the route as the backdrop to many a Western movie.
Total Distance : 52 miles
Estimated Time : 1 hour 19 min
4- The Columbia River Scenic Highway, Oregon
The Columbia River Highway, now known as the Historic Columbia River Highway, was a technical and civic achievement of its time, successfully mixing ambitious engineering with a sensitivity to the magnificent landscape of the Columbia River Gorge.
The Historic Columbia River Highway winds through temperate rain forest, a wonderland of conifers, maples, wildflowers, mosses, and ferns. It runs through the lushly-forested hills that are located above Interstate 84, which is now the primary highway through the Columbia River Gorge. As you travel the old highway, you’ll be treated to a lush green landscape, waterfalls and moss-lined canyons, and intermittent river views. You’ll want to stop often along the way to check out scenic viewpoints, to hike to and around grand waterfalls, and to take in the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge.
Distance: 75 miles (The Dalles to Troutdale)
Estimated Time: 2 hours
