Flagstaff: the city of seven wonders

One of the best ways to ditch jetlag after a long flight is to ground yourself: put your feet in that lake, climb mountains, breathe in fresh air, feel the full force of nature. Flagstaff is well endowed in this area, with seven national parks and national monuments within a 128-kilometre radius. The Grand Canyon is one of them, with 5.5 million visitors a year falling for its charms. Here are six other ‘wonders’ to add to the list.

WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT

Relive the past with a visit to 800-year-old pueblos, once inhabited by ancestors of the Hopi and Zuni people. The stark red rocks in the desert were formerly home to thousands who farmed, traded and thrived in this seemingly arid landscape.

SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO

This cinder cone volcano erupted to life 900 years ago and is a beacon of the Arizona landscape for miles around. See it from afar or, better still, hike the Lava Flow and Lenox Crater trails with a stop at the Visitor Center.

OAK CREEK CANYON

This spectacularly scenic drive offers unbroken vistas from the Overlook, down the winding road and through the canyon with its red-hued sandstone rock formations alongside Oak Creek. Hiking trails, swimming holes and restaurants are scattered along the way.

SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS

These peaks are located in the Coconino National Forest (see below), with Humphreys Peak the highest at 3,851 metres. There are ample ways to enjoy the majestic mountains: hike through the forest, sit and enjoy the view or ski at the Snowbowl.

COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST

Flagstaff sits in Coconino National Forest, the largest contiguous Ponderosa pine forest in the world. It is not all pines, though, with Sedona’s red rock country equally striking. There are also a number of important historic sites, including the Honanki and Palatki cliff dwellings, which date to 1150 AD.

WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT

Walnut Canyon is a perfect blend of history and adventure. Take the challenging Island Trail and explore cliff dwellings that residents abandoned 800 years ago, or stick to the Rim Trail for magnificent views from the escarpment.

OPENING SPREAD: The colours of the Grand Canyon © Sean Pavone. THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT: Snow-dusted mountains backdrop Flagstaff wetlands © Tom Alexander; Wupatki ruins © Mark Skalny Photography. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Grand Canyon Railway © Jack Frisbie; Williams is the gateway to Route 66 © Daniel Shewmaker; Monument Valley drama