HIKING TOURS IN THE USA

While Ryder-Walker focuses on exploring the absolute best Alpine experiences that international travel has to offer, we would be remiss not to also offer what we consider to be the best of the magical hiking in the United States, all of which happens to be in our company’s backyard in the Desert Southwest. Whether exploring the soaring peaks of Colorado or the mysterious canyons and desert vistas of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, you get the chance to experience some of our country’s most sublime and untouched wilderness. 

Ryder-Walker’s guided Rocky Mountain High Life: Aspen to Telluride trek adventures high into the mountains of Colorado. 13,000 feet high! The home of Ryder-Walker’s office, these mountains have been close to our company for decades and offer hiking that rivals the best the Alps have to offer. The Colorado Rockies are a stunning mountain range with craggy peaks that rise above 14,000 feet, bohemian towns tucked into the mountains such as Crested Butte and Telluride, and high alpine lakes which are a truly brilliant blue. Our journey begins in Aspen, perhaps the most famous of Colorado destinations, as we explore beneath the brooding faces of the Maroon Bell mountains and enjoy the lively village at Aspen. From Aspen, we continue to Crested Butte, a mountain town centered around The Butte, a lone mountain that rises from the Colorado plains. To this day Crested Butte is Colorado’s best-kept secret. Finally, we journey to Telluride, the home of Ryder-Walker!

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For self guided hikers that want to explore the vibrant mountains of Colorado we recommend our Telluride: The Switzerland of America hike. This route focuses on the area surrounding Telluride Colorado, unambiguously the most dramatic and wild section of the Colorado wilderness, and the home to Ryder-Walker and many of its guides. Visitors to this magnificent region will get to experience the same beauty and western charm that have kept us in the region for decades! 

Ryder-Walker’s trips through the desert southwest of America are some of our company’s in-house favorites, and explore the region where many of the guides spend their own vacation time! In both New Mexico and Utah we travel to all of our favorite locations in the desert. Whether they are hidden local haunts or world-class hiking destinations like Moab, the mystery and charm of the desert southwest are guaranteed to provide a profound experience – especially for those new to the stunning region. The southwest still hides many secrets, including ancient trails that lead to Anasazi cliff dwellings and hidden waterfall canyons

New Mexico: Santa Fe to Taos, which we also offer as a self guided hike, travels between the desert and the mountains in New Mexico. You get to enjoy the unique experience of leaving the desert trading city of Santa-Fe and wander upwards as the climate dramatically changes from rolling hills to the high mountains surrounding Taos. Santa Fe is a reason to visit New Mexico in itself, boasting world-class restaurants, art-crawls, and outdoor markets, Santa Fe truly feels like a gem of the wild west!

Sedona, Arches, & Canyonlands is our true desert trek that explores the heart of Utah’s national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, and Bears Ears National Monument. Arches is an incredible testament to natural beauty with its twisting sandstone formations. Canyonlands include hundreds of miles of wandering canyons some of which are still only rarely explored. Finally, The Bears Ears National Monument is the United States’ youngest National Monument, which has been protected to preserve the historic remnants of the Anasazi people which are hidden deep within the ultra-remote desert that Bears Ears encompasses.  Every step in this alien landscape provides another surprise or delight. There is nowhere else on earth quite like Utah, and we strongly believe that it is important for every person to experience this truly different section of the US at least once in their life.

Adobe building in New Mexico

New Mexico and the phrase the “Land of Enchantment” are synonymous, and while the state of New Mexico is most certainly that, it is actually so much more. Stunning desert vistas, high alpine peaks of the most southern portion of the Rocky Mountains, charming adobe homes and dwellings, thriving art communities, and chilis are only the tip of the iceberg...

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Price

$6700*

Guided Tour Date

Oct 2-9, 2024

Self-Guided Tour Date

June-October

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained
Sunset in Sedona

Soaring spires painted red against a backdrop of snow- covered peaks and endless blue sky, characterize the magical desert scenery of northern Arizona. Our desert trek focuses on the quiet, off the beaten paths of Sedona, Arizona, a popular town with an established reputation for exquisite dining, inspired art galleries and a plethora of outdoor activities. For outdoor enthusiasts, the...

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Price

$6750*

Guided Tour Date

May 17-23 & October 11-17, 2024

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained
ROCKY MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO

Majestic snowcapped peaks; golden aspen leaves; rolling alpine meadows; tumbling waterfalls and charming Victorian hotels beckon you to explore the Maroon Bells, Elk Range and San Juan Mountains of Colorado, home of Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures. From bubbling hot springs and historic hotels, to scenic hikes and colorful towns, the Rocky Mountains offer an authentic flavor of the American West. Ryder-Walker’s...

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Price

$5700*

Guided Tour Date

Sept 22-29, 2024

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained
Sun setting in the mountains of New Mexico

Stunning desert vistas, high alpine peaks of the most southern portion of the Rocky Mountains, charming adobe homes and dwellings, thriving art communities, and chilis are only the tip of the iceberg in the 47th US state. You begin your journey in Santa Fe.  Santa Fe has, over the years, become the heart and soul of New Mexico’s thriving epicurean...

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Price

$4615*

Guided Tour Date

Oct 2-9, 2024

Self-Guided Tour Date

June-October

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained
Telluride, Colorado

Majestic snow capped peaks, expansive alpine meadows, tumbling waterfalls, and charming Victorian hotels beckon hikers to explore the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado; home of Ryder- Walker Alpine Adventures. From bubbling hot springs and historic hotels, to the outposts of bank robbers and miners gone “mad”, Colorado mountains over a mother lode of scenic hikes and colorful towns. Ryder-Walker’s...

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Price

$2575*

Self-Guided Tour Date

Mid-June - Early-Oct

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained
Telluride, CO rock formation

Majestic snow-capped peaks, expansive alpine meadows, tumbling waterfalls, a charming Victorian hotel and more beckon hikers to explore the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado; home of Ryder- Walker Alpine Adventures. From bubbling hot springs and historic hotels, to the outposts of bank robbers and miners gone “mad”, Colorado mountains offer a mother lode of scenic hikes and colorful towns....

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Price

$1700*

Self-Guided Tour Date

Late June - Early Oct

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained

Hear It From Our Guests

“At times we felt like we were back in Switzerland. The scenery was gorgeous, the fall colors spectacular, the weather cooperative, and it was a congenial if small group. The hiking was challenging but not drop-dead challenging and we were pleased that we did okay at altitude, living as we do at sea level. Given the location of the towns and the hikes, there is absolutely no way we could have done this without guides and support.” (Rocky Mountain High Life)
Susan Ware
“We had an outstanding Ryder-Walker experience. We did all the hikes with extensions. We are all looking forward to more hikes in the future.” (Rocky Mountain High Life)
Merit S.

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