Mountain Meccas and Adventure Escapes

Palisade: Mecca

Past the mountain towns and ski resorts, through tunnels and over rivers and creeks, the landscape of Colorado transforms into rocky-edged mesas known as the Book Cliffs and valleys carpeted with vineyards and orchards. The centerpiece of Palisade is the Wine Country Inn, a locally owned hotel designed with a Southern plantation feel. It’s a peaceful space surrounded by vineyards and wineries. Here, wine flows nearly as fast as the Colorado River, which cuts through this funky, little Western Slope town. Lounge by the pool, try a complimentary glass of the hotel’s own wines or head out for a wine-tasting extravaganza.

Palisade is home to more than 30 wineries, and each one has its own personality and charm. Canyon Wind is home to second-generation winemakers, a former teacher and his wife who take their wine-making seriously and it shows in the evolution of their wines. Maison la Belle Vie Winery is the home of a French vintner who loves his reds. Carlson, a more rustic tasting room, pours peach, cherry and dessert wines. Garfield will knock your socks off with its dry rose and chocolate port, and Plum Creek offers some of the best wines coming out of Colorado (and it has a female winemaker to boot). You can rent or bring bikes, but be warned biking the entire loop is only for the serious biker. At night, head to Inari’s for dinner and then make your way to the award-winning Peach Street Distillers, then walk home.

Palisade: Adventure

Change up your scenery by making Palisade your home base for a weekend of recreation. Palisade is nestled among Grand Mesa National Forest, Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Uncompahgre National Forest as well as the Colorado National Monument. That means there are more than 3,500 miles of trails and six 14ers within a short drive of the Western Colorado town. In the winter locals swarm to a place they consider their hidden gem: Powderhorn Mountain Resort, a fun, casual resort that’s small on amenities and big on quality runs. But in the summer, Palisade has become increasingly known as a cycling mecca. Countless local trails (see above) keep mountain biking aficionados busy and happy. For road cyclists looking for something totally different from their Boulder County mainstays, the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway has three options. There’s 5-, 7- and 25-mile loops that weave cyclists (or drivers) through pristine orchards, funky farms and family vineyards. You’ll ride past a happy little nudist colony, fruit stands and tasting rooms waiting for you to take a break and a sip. If you don’t stop at the wineries, a beer at Palisade Brewing Company might be in order at the end of a beautiful ride.