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 absolute best 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 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!

The New Mexico: Santa Fe to Taos trek hikes 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: The Heart of Redrock Country is our true desert trek that explores the heart of redrock country in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona consists of magical desert scenery as well as a thriving, funky artist town. Stunning rock formations dot the region and offer spectacular views. Our guides take guests through quiet, off the beaten path trails during the day and our tired legs and full hearts arrive at a luxury resort in Sedona by night.