In pictures: the best of the Pacific Northwest

This 80-mile (130-km) river corridor is one of the most spectacular and scenic stretches in Oregon. Created by Ice Age floods, the Gorge cuts through the volcanic rock of the Cascade Mountains. Gushing waterfalls, hiking trails, and plateaus all await the intrepid traveler here. The best way to explore the area is to take the Columbia River Highway. Blasted out of narrow cliffs, this road was designed to maximise viewing pleasure while minimizing environmental damages as much as posisble.

The High Desert town of Bend, surrounded by snowcapped mountains and twisting rivers, is an adventurer’s paradise where hikers, spelunkers, anglers, and rafters get their fill of fun. In the center of town, however, beer is king – there are 19 breweries where you can sip, sample, and quaff a pint while taking in the beauty all around.

Ten parks line the banks of False Creek, an inlet that reaches the heart of Vancouver, creating a stunning mix of views that combine natural beauty and city skylines. Nestled in the creek, Granville Island is packed with artists and hosts a lovely public market, while at its east end lies the 2010 Olympic Village and Opening Ceremony site.

The mountains and waters surrounding Squamish are ripe for adventure: climb snowcapped peaks, scale rock faces, snorkel with seals, take a fishing trip, and watch for bald eagles. Or, to learn more about the history of this beautiful landscape, explore the area’s lush forests with a First Nations guide from the Squamish people.

The fantastical blown glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly are juxtaposed against natural gardens in Seattle’s Chihuly Garden and Glass. A 100-ft (30.5-m) long sculpture resembling a chain of yellow, red, amber, and orange flowers hangs suspended in the Glasshouse; eight galleries provide insight into Chihuly’s inspiration; and in the gardens, his pieces shine among flowers and trees.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the snow-draped Rocky Mountains, Yoho National Park is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Yoho is the Cree word meaning "awe and wonder," and the name is apt: impossibly blue lakes, snow-capped mountains, and remote alpine meadows sweetened with the scent of wildflowers abound here. The park is also home to the second-tallest waterfall in Canada, the thunderous Takakkaw Falls.

With more than two dozen vineyards, Washington’s Walla Walla Valley is awash with wine. Vineyards curve along the contours of the rolling hills here, where the climate and terroir make an ideal environment for nearly 40 grape varietals. Sipping a Merlot among the vines or in a tasting room, and admiring the distant Blue Mountains, makes for a perfect day.

Mount St. Helens was a beautiful, symmetrical volcano before it erupted in 1980, but there’s beauty in its now imperfect shape. Whether reflected on Spirit Lake or viewed from across a wildflower-filled field, the snowy slopes of the mountain impress. More than 500 miles (805 km) of hiking trails crisscross this varied landscape, leading from lush meadows and forests to the scrublands of the volcano’s blast zone.

In the city limits of Portland there’s a 5,156-acre (2,086-hectare) slice of nature in the form of Forest Park. The hills here are clad in alder, fir, cedar, hemlock, and maple trees, and some 80 miles (129 km) of trails wind across the park, including the 30-mile (48-km) Wildwood Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species call this urban park home.

Bustling Pike Place Market is more than just that place in Seattle where fishmongers hawk their catch of the day. It’s also the oldest continuously operated farmers’ market in the US, and is packed with shops selling everything from fresh produce and coffee – it’s home to the original Starbucks – to handmade crafts and comic books.

Established over a century ago, these pretty gardens are the realization of Jennie Butchart’s desire to revitalize a former limestone quarry. Home to plants from around the globe, the gardens boast six different areas to explore. Stroll through the sweet-smelling Rose Garden or wander beneath flowering trees in the Sunken Garden – the remains of the quarry are most evident here in the garden’s deep walls and exposed rock.

Whistler Mountain, along with neighboring Blackcomb, is heaven for skiers and snowboarders. Olympians tested themselves here in 2010 and today more than 8,100 snowy slopes, some 200 marked trails, and countless alpine bowls and terrain parks attract snow-lovers from all over the world. It’s also the perfect place to hunker down in front of a crackling log fire and enjoy après-ski with mountain views.

Arrestingly beautiful, Crater Lake is the fifth oldest National Park in the US. It encompasses the nation’s deepest lake, an island shaped like a wizard’s hat, and a hemlock log – the “Old Man of the Lake” – that’s been floating in the water since 1896. Formed from a collapsed volcano, Crater Lake is fed entirely by snow and rain.

Haystack Rock, a 235-ft (72-m) tall monolith, stands at the edge of the shoreline at pretty Cannon Beach. Here, long sandy stretches call to beachcombers, birdwatchers, and wetsuit-clad surfers. Summer’s sandcastle contest, which has been held here since 1964, and spring’s Savor Cannon Beach Wine and Culinary Festival keep the beaches packed – as if they needed any help.