Are you looking for a great selection of tried and tested best hikes in Colorado Springs? If so, you’re in luck, as we cover 11 of the best trails for hiking in Colorado Springs.
Set at the foot of the stunning Rocky Mountains, it should perhaps come as no surprise then that Colorado Springs is an all-around awesome destination for hikers looking to hit the trails. This is highlighted by the fact that Colorado is one of the most mountainous states in the US!
From the famed Pikes Peak to Cheyenne Mountain, and The Garden of the Gods, this area is renowned for its stunning geographical features and natural beauty making it a fantastic getaway for outdoor lovers looking to escape into the wild.
In this post, we’ve rounded up 11 awesome hikes in Colorado Springs that you may want to explore on your next visit to the Centennial State! These hiking options range from easy to difficult, offering a trail to suit all levels and preferences.
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5 Hiker’s Essentials
Before hitting the trail, don’t forget to grab all your must-have hiking essentials for your hike in Colorado Springs!
- A hiking day backpack
- Comfy pair of men’s boots, or woman’s hiking boots
- Hiking water bottle for hydration
- A cozy men’s and woman’s windbreaker for those gusty summits
- A set of hiking poles
11 Best Hikes Colorado Springs Offers
Manitou Incline
- Location: Pikes Peak / Mount Manitou
- Difficulty: Very Difficult
- Distance: 0.9 miles
Of all the Colorado Springs hikes, this one is by far the most difficult. Not by distance or technicality, but due to its sheer vertical incline. Try to conquer 2,744 steps up the side of Mount Manitou by climbing an old railway if you are physically fit and ready to tackle the 2000-feet elevation gain.
The first section gives a false sense of security while the steps are not too steep. The bailout comes at step number 2000 where a trail takes you back to the loop down. From here, there is no turning back. The last third is the steepest with an incline of almost 70 degrees.
This trail has a record time of just over 17 minutes, but normal hikers can bargain on around a three-hour round trip on the trail.
If you’ve started the Manitou Incline and feel you’ve bitten off a bit more than you can chew, then you can take the Barr Trail, a stunning scenic route that takes you back down to the base.
It is worth pointing out that this hike is not ideal for beginners. It requires a decent level of hiking experience to conquer this difficult Colorado Springs hike!
Garden of the Gods – Best Hikes Near Colorado Springs
- Location: Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: Various
Whether you are looking for an all-day adventure or a quick escape into nature, Garden of the Gods has a hike for everyone. There are over 21 miles of trails winding through the park, taking you past dramatic rock formations with views of the surrounding peaks and serving up some of the best Colorado Springs hikes.
Trails as short as 0.8 miles wind lazily through the rocky configurations and the longest loop is a little over 11 miles that can take up a good couple of hours. Leave plenty of time to stop and take pictures as the rock formations are unique and picture-worthy.
Palmer Trail – Colorado Springs Hiking
- Location: Bear Creek Canyon Park
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 5.7 miles
This is one of the most iconic and popular hikes in Colorado Springs, dishing up just enough of a challenge to make it memorable. It is a looped trail and approaching it from either side will give you a totally different experience.
The trail that starts to the right will give you an easy start with a sunny first mile. At the second mile, you will start the incline and enjoy switchbacks that wind through a shady pine forest. The summit is a little under halfway on this trail at the 2.3-mile mark. Here you will be spoiled with the best views of the park and the alpine landscape. The trail loops back to the start and goes downhill to the end.
The trail that starts to the left has a longer, more gradual incline but the climb down is much steeper so only do this if your knees can hold it.
Loud’s Cabin
- Location: North Cheyenne Canyon
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6.2 miles
This is one of the longer hikes near Colorado Springs and you can expect to spend upwards of 3.5 hours on this trail. The hike to Loud’s Cabin also includes the popular and continues past Jones Park.
Continue on the route marked 622A to avoid crossing over to another trail and missing the cabin completely. This quaint piece of history is a unique feature on the trail and the perfect spot to have a rest and enjoy a snack.
The trail is out and back, and dogs are allowed to join you for a splendid day out.
Mount Muscoco Trail
- Location: North Cheyenne Canyon Park
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 4 miles
Colorado has some of the most spectacular scenery in Central America with sweeping landscapes of alpine forests, canyons, and creeks. To reach a worthwhile viewpoint takes some effort though.
Hike the Mount Muscoco trail for one such breathtaking view. Have a 360-vantage point over the valley below after a steep climb to the top. The last section of the trail requires some scrambling, but it is all part of the fun.
Kids can conquer this out and back trail and it will take around 2.5-3 hours to complete.
Midland Trail
- Location: Manitou Springs
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 7.9 miles
This is a great trail for the whole family and many parts are wheelchair and stroller friendly too. The trail is divided into three sections running between America the Beautiful Park and Manitou Spring Pool with a few detours in between where the path is still under construction.
The trail often intersects Fountain Creek with several bridges on the way. There are also picnic tables and benches along the way if you need to take a rest.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
- Location: Calhan
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 4 miles
Colorado has some magnificent geological features, but none is as striking as the Paint Mines. Layers of oxidized iron have colored the clay chasms bright hues of pink, red, yellow, and white. This clay was once used by Native Americans to create paint but today it is a beautiful natural formation that hikers love to visit.
There are four miles of easy trails all looping through the park, taking you past the striking formations. Perfect for those in search of some easy hikes in Colorado Springs!
Centennial Trail
- Location:
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: 15 miles
This paved road starts out along a section of the highway but eventually makes its way into the wooded areas. The spectacular views of the distant mountains are a welcome sight throughout the hike.
From May to October, you can see the changing scenery as wildflowers bloom, or the leaves change their color later in the year. Along the way, you can stop at the lakeside campground to have a rest. It is not a looped road so be warned that the constant incline on the way back will tap into all your reserves.
Rampart Reservoir and Rainbow Gulch
- Location: Woodland Park
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 3.4 miles
This is one of the best Colorado Springs trails to enjoy year-round. The 3.4 miles out and back trail is perfect for snowshoeing in the winter and the golden forest floor in autumn is a totally different kind of beautiful. You can significantly extend your hike by walking around the reservoir too, but this is best left for the warmer months.
It is a fairly easy trail and children enjoy being able to fully immerse themselves in nature. The trail leads through a coniferous forest that surrounds the reservoir and the unbridled views across the lake and into the mountains will make this one of your favorite hiking spots in Colorado.
Red Rock Canyon
- Location: Red Rock Canyon Open Space
- Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
- Distance: 1 mile – 3.3 miles
Red Rock Canyon is another spot for hiking in Colorado Springs where geographical formations are the stars of the show. At the canyon, you can hop onto any one of their five trails to enjoy splendid scenery all around.
The Contemplative trail offers a special treat as the trail often interjects the impressive red canyon walls with natural and pine benches dotted all along the route, where you can sit and gawk at the dramatic and gorgeous nature of the surroundings.
Pulpit Rock – Places to Hike in Colorado Springs
- Location: Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs
- Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
- Distance: 2-4 miles
This is a great short hike right in the heart of Colorado Springs, perfect for a quick morning or afternoon workout. You can take the shorter steep way where you need to scramble up some rocks or take it easy on the slightly longer main path. From the summit, you can enjoy seemingly never-ending views of the Front Range and Pikes Peak.
The peak is an impressive rocky summit with seemingly geometric cutouts in the large rock. You can hike it all year round, but it is advisable to take the long road in the winter as the icy rocks can become dangerous.
