Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

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A heavenly hike in Colorado. A place fit for the gods

Perhaps it was inevitable that the European settlers who established the US city of Colorado Springs decided to name this park the Garden of the Gods – the creation myth of the Native American Ute people cites this location as the spot where all life began. Today, it’s a popular public park and a designated US National Natural Landmark. The Garden of the Gods is on the western edge of the city – an easy way for locals and visitors alike to get a healthy dose of nature without having to travel far from civilisation. If you stroll past any of the rock formations here, you’re likely to see a climber scaling the red and pink sandstone fins that give the park its distinct look.