Drive With a View: Colorado Scenic Roadtrips

DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - Jul 16, 2014) - Colorado is home to 25 Scenic and Historic Byways along with other roads and passes that offer amazing views. Following is a sampling of Colorado's scenic drives. For more information, visit http://www.colorado.com/articles/quick-guide-colorados-scenic-historic-byways.

Cache la Poudre - North Park Scenic & Historic Byway (Fort Collins). This drive is 101 miles (three hours) following the Poudre River up to Cameron Pass. Drive and see raging river rapids, bighorn sheep and amazing views.

Frontier Pathways National Scenic & Historic Byway (Pueblo). Begin this drive in Pueblo, pass along the high plains before hitting the south side of Lake Pueblo State Park. Look out on this 103-mile (three and a half hour) drive for wildlife.

Gold Belt Tour National Scenic & Historic Byway (Cañon City). The Gold Belt Tour is 131 miles (five to six hours) of rolling mountain parklands to deep rocky canyons.

Highway 160 over Wolf Creek Pass (Pagosa Springs). Highway 160 over Wolf Creek Pass will not disappoint. The highway stretches 41 miles (about one hour) between South Fork and Pagosa Springs.

Mount Evans Scenic & Historic Byway (Idaho Springs). This Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America. Along the 49-mile (two hour) road, alpine lakes, mountain goats and bighorn sheep can be seen.

Peak-to-Peak Scenic & Historic Byway (Estes Park). Peak-to-Peak is Colorado's oldest Scenic Byway. From Estes Park to Black Hawk, this 55-mile (two hour) drive passes from Rocky Mountain National Park to Eldora Mountain Resort ski area.

Pikes Peak Highway (Colorado Springs). In 1915, Pikes Peak Highway was built and allowed locals and visitors to reach the summit of Pikes Peak. Today, the 19-mile drive (about two hours) is filled with lakes, mountains and wildlife.

Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway (Leadville). Colorado's two tallest peaks, Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, can be seen from this scenic drive. For 115 miles (four to five hours), pass the beginning of the Arkansas River, the town of Twin Lakes in San Isabel National Forest and Leadville.

Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byway (Lake City). The Silver Thread Scenic Byway passes through two of Colorado's historic districts, Lake City and Creede. Along this 120-mile (two to four hour) route, see Lake San Cristobal, and wander off a bit on Forest Road 510 to see stunning views of North Clear Creek Falls.

Trail Ridge Road (Estes Park). Take a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park on the 48-mile (two to three hour) Trail Ridge Road. Starting in Estes Park, hop on the highest continuous auto road in the country to see elk, glacier-carved valleys and amazing peak summits.

West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway (Gunnison). The West Elk Loop Scenic Byway is one of Colorado's longer drives, but worth every minute. This 205-mile (eight to 10 hour) drive passes through Marble, Gunnison and Crested Butte.