I spent my first eight years in Colorado living in the Pikes Peak region (four in Colorado Springs, four in Manitou Springs, 1997-2005) and enjoyed so many hikes throughout those years. Frequently, newcomers ask about local Colorado Springs hikes on my forums, and so this page was designed to answer those questions.

I hope you'll find this "Colorado Springs hikes" directory useful. There are countless opportunities to trails ranging from easy (e.g. Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park) to difficult (e.g. Barr Trail, Manitou Incline) to the downright scenic (e.g. The Crags, Devil's Head Fire Lookout).

So what's my favorite hike of all-time? I know, you didn't ask but ... I would say I had some very special and sentimental hikes inside Williams Canyon in Manitou Springs over the years. Ah, and the scenery ... ;)

Thanks for visiting. Lastly, be careful, be prepared, use common sense and enjoy these hikes!

-Steve :)

Contact information: Steve's Twitter - ColoradoGuy.com Facebook Fan Page - Steve's MySpace

Popular Hikes In The Colorado Springs Area ...

	Palmer Park ... Relatively easy trails with interesting rock structures in the heart of Colorado Springs. There are two main entrances at Maizeland & Academy and near Austin Bluffs & Union.
	Garden of the Gods ... Go to the visitor center for a map of all trails, most of which meander about the park. Very scenic! The Siamese Twins trail is short but a great one at the end.! :)
	Seven Bridges Trail ... A nice little trail with some decent uphills. Take North Cheyenne Canyon Road all the way up to the "fork" with the parking lot (past Helen Hunt Falls). Walk along the road for approximately 0.8(?) miles and the trailhead is on your right. I hiked with German photographer Lars Leber in the right photo.
	Waldo Canyon Loop Trail ... A 7 to 8 mile loop trail with one spot that gives a grand view of Pikes Peak and lower Ute Pass.
	Red Mountain ... A fairly steep but short hike in Manitou Springs. The scenery on the trail is mediocre, until you reach the summit, in which you'll enjoy a grand view of Manitou Springs below!
	Manitou Incline ... 0.9 miles of sheer uphill up the old incline railroad grade. It's definitely a "must do" for the adventurous hiker, but make sure you're in semi-decent shape!
<	Barr Trail ... The main trailhead leading to the summit of Pikes Peak near the Cog Railway in Manitou Springs. It's a long 13 miles to the top, but shorter hikes to Barr Camp (6 or 7 miles one way?) and Mt. Manitou (maybe 3 miles one way?) are quite reasonable for the casual afternoon hiker.
	Mt. Cutler (2002) & Mt. Cutler (2007) ... You'll see the Mt. Cutler trailhead near the beginning while driving up North Cheyenne Canyon. Great views of the canyon, Seven Falls and Colorado Springs. Be careful! I occasionially hear of a hiker falling off (and dying from) the steep west face of Mt. Cutler's knobby summit.
	Catamount Trail ... A fairly steep, well-maintained trail that goes along the side of a mountain behind Green Mountain Falls. This trail will take you all the way up to the Catamount Reservoirs.
	The Crags ... A fantastic and scenic hike! Go just south of the Mueller State Park entrance on Highway 67 in Teller County and make a left at "The Crags" sign. It's approximately 3(?) miles one way to a summit with clear views of mountains all over. (See my pictorial.) Trailhead starts at 9,100 feet and ends at 10,000+; Weather can be "gnarly" any time of the year!
	Horsethief Falls / Pancake Rocks ... Another Teller County hike. The trailhead is located on Highway 67 with a parking lot. Close to Cripple Creek and Victor.
	Red Rock Canyon ... Locals in Colorado Springs are calling it "Garden of the Gods without the cars". Relatively easy hiking trails amidst beautiful red rock structures. Located south of Highway 24 near 34th Street.
	Old Midland Railroad Bed ... Defintely for the more adventuresome! The old and abandoned Midland railroad grade just west of Manitou Springs is hikable. There are six tunnels and be sure to bring a flashlight for the longest tunnel! ;)
	Queens Canyon ... Queens Canyon is privately owned by the Glen Eyrie Conference Center. Call to inquire about the availability for public persons to hike it. They often have hikers sign a liability waiver before entering. Beautiful waterfall one mile in! :)
	Devil's Head Fire Lookout ... Somewhat outside the area (located off of Rampart Range Road near Sedalia) but a very scenic and educational hike.
	Williams Canyon ... Perhaps one of the "best kept secrets" in the entire region. A beautiful canyon north of Manitou Springs. Scott and I once hiked into Williams Canyon, then took a spur trail onto the Waldo Canyon Trail... Waldo & Williams Canyon.

Steve's Hiking Comments In 2009 I originally created this page in 2005, and looking back, my mountaineer skills have improved greatly. There are so many more trails and mountain climbing opportunities in the Pikes Peak Region. My suggestion is to obtain a really good topographical map of the mountains - particular Pikes Peak and Rampart Range. (See map link directly below) If I lived in Colorado Springs, I would spend much more time climbing the peaks surrounding Pikes Peak. The opportunities off of Stagecoach Road & Gold Camp Road are plenty! If you're ever in Buena Vista, CO... I have a list of Buena Vista Hikes as well. ;)