Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

Spectacular sights are a dime a dozen in these picturesque parts, but particularly pretty is the view of the mountains from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad (www.durangotrain.com).

Something for nothing

Check what the poisonous ones look like then hunt through the woods for wild mushrooms – you’ll find hundreds of porcini and chanterelles in these parts.

Shopping

As well as fine local produce, the regular farmers’ markets in Durango, Cortez and Telluride also sell local crafts such as pottery and jewellery.

Daytripper

Make the journey to the Mesa Verde National Park, home of the Ancestral Puebloans who roamed the Four Corners for several hundred years back in 600AD, where more than 4,000 archaelogical sites are protected, including 600 cliff dwellings.

Perfect picnic

Hit the road in search hamper-filling heaven at one of the area’s many farmers’ markets: Durango’s and Cortez’s are on Saturday, and Telluride has one on Fridays.

Walks

In the Dolores River Canyon, follow the Snaggletooth Road for a moderate-difficulty hike and Grand Canyon-like views. The spectacular Indian Ridge Trail leads into the Animas River Valley and the Montolores area. Nocturnal walkers can opt for a full-moon hike in the San Juan Forest.