The hiking trails in Colorado Springs are amazing. Some feature sparkling lakes and creeks, while others have striking rock formations that date back thousands of years. Whether you’re looking for a lung-busting trek up Pikes Peak or prefer an easy hike through Bear Creek with the kids, there’s something for everyone, regardless of your hiking ability. Here’s a rundown of the 20 best places to hike Colorado Springs.
Barr Trail
One of the best ways to hike to the top of Pikes Peak is through the renowned Barr Trail. It runs 13 miles from the base to the summit and has an elevation gain of 7,800 feet. This legendary old mule trail kicks off with scrubby oak before transitioning through aspen and pine trees and finally opening up to the high rocks preceding the Pikes Peak summit.
A great stopover along the trail is the Barr Camp, where you can rest and grab a bite. You can also camp there if you don’t like hiking the whole trail in one day. The steepest stretch is the initial three miles of Barr Trail near the Pikes Peak and Manitou depot. Once you get past it, it’s smooth sailing from there.
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Bear Creek Park
Bear Creek Park is one of the best city parks in Colorado Springs. It is massive and features a basketball court, tennis court, children’s playground, a dog park, and a challenging network of hiking trails.
The eastern end of the main park has mostly flat gravel trails, making it ideal for hikers who want an easy hike. The western end of the park has dirt trails that are mostly hilly, perfect for hikers looking for a challenge. These run through scrub vegetation before circling back to Pikes Peak on the east and Section 16 on the west.
If we had to pick one, we recommend going through the Pikes Peak route.
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Cheyenne Cañon
Also known as the Columbine Trail, Cheyenne Cañon is a strenuous, uphill trail from the Starsmore Discovery Center to Helen Hunt Falls. One reason you should hike this trail is the stunning views of the canyon. Observing the rock formations from this vantage point is nothing short of breathtaking.
The distance from the starting point to the summit is four miles one way and is pretty steep. You can access Cheyenne Cañon from any of three areas – lower, middle, and upper – allowing you to experience different sections of the trail, depending on your fitness level and whether or not you want to hike the entire trail in a single day.
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Cheyenne Mountain State Park
The State Park at Cheyenne Mountain has a vast network of trails that run 28 miles. These hiking trails have varying vegetation and varying levels of difficulty, so there’s something for everyone.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park is perfect for mountain bikers. The North Talon and South Tallon of the Cheyenne Mountain both have loose, rocky terrain on single-track dirt trails that are 20 inches wide, on average.
The Dixon Trail is a must-try trail at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, which runs to the mountain summit. The views from this point are spectacular.
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North Cheyenne
Situated a 10-minute drive away from downtown Colorado Springs is North Cheyenne Canon Park. This hidden gem is a major gateway into the higher altitudes of Pikes Peak and Pike National Forest.
The Cheyenne Cañon Trail starts easy along the North Cheyenne Creek and gets steeper as you reach higher elevations. If you’re looking for a short and easy trail along North Cheyenne, the Silver Cascade Falls trail is a great option. This Cheyenne Canyon trail links to the Mount Cutler and Seven Bridges trails, offering a moderate to difficult uphill hike.
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Manitou Incline
The Manitou Incline is another famous hiking trail near Colorado Springs. This legendary trail runs for one mile on the lower side of Pikes Peak along an old railway route. The trail runs through forest vegetation and high desert and is a combination of rocks, gravel, dirt, and railroad.
You’ll gain an elevation of about 2,000 feet, and it takes anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours to summit, depending on your fitness level. At the end of the Manitou Incline is a gorgeous view of Manitou Springs.
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Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock Open Space, which has since been renamed Austin Bluffs, is another great hiking trail in Colorado Springs. One thing about Pulpit Rock, it’s always going to surprise you. It is sandwiched between residential housing units, a university, and a huge shopping center.
Despite its odd location, Pulpit Rock offers a wide range of terrain and trails designed to challenge even the most experienced hikers. If you’re looking for a moderately easy hike, consider using the direct route that leads up to the rock formation. It is a bit of a scramble to get there, but the views waiting for you up top make it all the more worth it.
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Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is one of the most diverse hiking trails in Colorado Springs. Whether you’re crazy about hogbacks, looking for a challenging mountain biking trail, or want a different rock climbing experience, Red Rock is the place to do it. We particularly like the Contemplative Trail. It is moderately easy, making it perfect for families with young children.
Depending on your route, Red Rock Canyon can connect to other trails, such as the Intemann Trail, High Line Drive, and Bear Creek Open Space. It is one of the best hiking trail routes in Colorado Springs.
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Royal Gorge Area
Royal Gorge in Colorado Springs has no shortage of scenic hiking trails. You can head to Royal Gorge Park and hike the Royal Gorge Rim Trail. It comprises an easy 3.2-mile loop with an elevation gain of 115 feet.
You can try the Fire Canyon Trail within the same area if you want something slightly more difficult. This trail runs to Island in the Sky and consists of single-track dirt roads ideal for mountain biking.
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Seven Bridges Trail
If you’re looking to push yourself to the limit with a moderate-to-hard hiking trail, you will love what Seven Bridges Trail has to offer. The trail is roughly 1.6 miles one way, not factoring in the 0.7 miles leading up to it via an abandoned railroad track.
Seven Bridges Trail is steep. It’s going to make you work hard. The great thing is — it links up to several easier trails if you want a change of pace. It is one of the best hike experiences for mountain explorers.
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Ute Valley Park
The Ute Valley Loop in Ute Valley Park is a great hiking trail. It offers some of the most spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain Range and even features a river.
The great thing about this park is that it is dog-friendly. You can bring your furry friend along for the hike, but they must be on a leash the entire time. If you hike with your dog, remember to carry extra water for them. You can bring a handy collapsible bowl that they can drink from.
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Black Forest
The Black Forest Section 16 trail is an easy 3.8-mile square loop north of Colorado Springs. The gravel trail is fairly wide with little elevation change. The trail runs through a heavily forested area, so there’s plenty of shade throughout.
You can hike, bike, run, and even go horseback riding. You can bring your dog along for the adventure, but you must keep them leashed.
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Crags Trail
The best time to hike Crags Trail is between May and October. You may encounter snow on the trail, particularly in the spring and winter. This Colorado Spring trail runs 4.8 miles, has an elevation gain of 820 feet, and takes two to four hours to complete, depending on how fast you’re going.
Most of the trail is relatively easy except for a steep section at the beginning and just before you reach the summit. It is a great trail for families and individuals who want to bring their dogs for the hike. Your furry friend will need to remain leashed throughout.
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Crested Butte
The Crested Butte area has no shortage of exciting trails to hike. There are over 70 hiking routes, each offering the most spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. One of the best trails for a weekend Colorado Springs hike is the Crested Butte—Aspen route via the West Maroon Pass.
It is a 10-mile, point-to-point hike with an elevation gain of 2,241 feet. It is considered one of the more challenging trails, so keep that in mind when deciding on the best places to hike Colorado Springs.
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Emerald Lake
Located in Rocky Mountain National Park is the gorgeous Emerald Lake trail. This out-and-back trail is three miles long, with an elevation gain of 682 feet, and has some of the most stunning views of the lake and surrounding foliage. It takes one to three hours to complete, depending on your pace. The national park is open year-round, so you can hike the trail any time.
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Fountain Creek Trail
Fountain Creek Nature Trail is located within the Fountain Creek Regional Park. This looped trail runs 1.7 miles and has a small elevation gain of 36 meters. It is popular with hikers, bird watchers, and trail runners, so you’ll likely encounter all sorts of outdoor lovers as you explore the beautiful trail. It is a little reminiscent of the Steamboat Springs trail.
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Glenwood Springs
The Glenwood Canyon Trail in White River National Forest is 33 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet. While this is a long out-and-back trail, it is an easy hike and takes between eight and 11 hours to complete, depending on your pace. The best time to visit is between March and October. You can bring your dog with you as long as it remains leashed for the duration of the hike.
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Paint Mines Interpretive Park
The historic Paint Mines Interpretive Park in El Paso County is a short drive east of Colorado City. The natural beauty of these geological formations is breathtaking and includes exposed layers and incised gullies of colorful jasper and selenite clay.
Ancient native Indians used these colorful rock layers to make dyes and paint. Depending on the time of day you visit, the changing sunlight causes the spires and hoodoos to glow deep, magnificent hues visible from miles away.
Paint Mines Park has more than four miles of easy trails. Visitors should keep to the designated trails to preserve the delicate loam.
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Palmer Park
Palmer Park is a flat-topped landform with steep slopes and a network of hiking trails that span more than 30 miles cumulatively. The legendary Palmer Trail is known for its diverse terrains, which offer varying difficulty levels. If you enjoy trail running, mountain biking, or simply hiking, this park is a great place to do it.
When you go there, be sure to hike the Templeton Trail. It has great vertical gains and drops, challenging rocks to maneuver around, and a magnificent view of Colorado Springs that you just don’t get anywhere else.
You can even bring your furry friend along. Palmer Park is one of the few dog-friendly parks in Colorado Springs. There’s a dog park and a designated off-leash area where your dogs can roam freely.
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Woodland Park
Woodland Park features more than 30 trails, each more scenic than the next. It is generally popular with hikers, bikers, trail runners, and outdoor lovers. The Catamount Falls Trail is, by far, our favorite. It is a beautiful out-and-back trail with three majestic waterfalls flowing down from the legendary Pikes Peak Mountain. The trail is 6.5 miles long with a moderate elevation gain of about 2,000 feet. The months of June to October are the best times to visit.
If you’re up for a challenge, several other trails lead to Pikes Peak Mountain.
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Other Trails to Explore in Colorado Springs
If you live in Denver and want to escape the bustling city life, Colorado Springs is a short enough drive to head down and enjoy a day of hiking. The city has no shortage of picturesque hiking trails.
If you’re still looking for more options, Gold Camp Road, Green Mountain Falls, Longs Peak, Nature Center, and Old Colorado City via Buckskin Charlie are all fantastic routes to explore.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Colorado, check out this list of winter activities in Denver that you might enjoy.