Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways - 2024/2025

This route brings travelers up close and parallel with the Continental Divide for a tour of ghost towns and Victorian-era opulence. The Central City-Black Hawk corridor encompasses two towns that flourished after gold was discovered in 1859. Nearby Quartz Hill was dubbed “the richest square mile on earth,” albeit with a bit of hyperbole. The decadent Central City Opera House (built in 1878) remains a big draw for performing arts lovers in the summer. Both towns today have casino gaming. The byway heads north out of the historic district and takes in views of the James Peak and Indian Peaks wilderness areas as it approaches Nederland. The former mining town of Nederland claims a still-working earthmover that helped build the Panama Canal — the Bucyrus Steam Shovel. Farther along, the Peak to Peak Highway approaches Longs Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park before descending into Estes Park. Here, a stroll through the charming downtown completes the journey, or serves as a springboard for adventures into the adjacent national park.

Distance: 55 miles • Allow 2 hours

Total elevation gain: 7,522–9,258 feet