The beauty of Colorado Springs invites explorers to adventure the base pike’s peak, and it has been a hub for the outdoors, who relish the place.
The hikers doing hiking trials rejoice in many trails throughout; read on to find more!
1. About Colorado Springs Hiking
Colorado Springs hiking is mainly known for its nature and beauty. Also, it is close to the mountains and has natural landmarks like the Cave of the Winds.
Hiking has many other options, like trail running trails, mountain biking trails, and many more. People looking for the best trail in Colorado Springs hiking in the world should visit Cheyenne Canyon Mountain State Park or Mueller State Park.
Hiking in Colorado Springs, you will also find amazing waterfalls in the red rocks of the Garden of the Gods. The garden is filled with the snow of Pikes Peak, and the Colorado Springs Hiking is situated at the bottom of the foothills, with many trails.
2. The Benefits of Hiking:
- It lowers the chances of heart disease.
- It maintains blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
- It boosts bone density, which plays an important role in weight-bearing exercise while walking.
- Build strength in the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and lower legs.
- It strengthens up’s your core
- It improves the balance in your body.
- It helps to control your weight.
- It also boosts your mood. Gregory Miller, the president of the American hiking society, says that hiking has an extremely positive impact on reducing stress and anxiety symptoms.
3. 17 Best Colorado Springs Hiking
3.1. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
The Red Rock Canyon open space is one of the most famous places to do Colorado Springs hiking.
It has various and unique types of trails, which include ridges of red rock; it also gives great views of trails of the Garden of the Gods. The Red Rock Canyon trails are connected to other hiking trails. They also offer a free bike ride on the mountain and the dog loop trail.
3.2. Mount Cutler Trails
Mount Cutler, which is in Colorado Springs, is an easy hike.
It is a 1-mile hike to the summit of the foothill peak that overlooks Seven Falls. Cheyenne Canyon’s canyon system offers panoramic views that will make your hike a great idea for family and friends to visit this place.
It would help if you experienced the entire area of the Mount Cutler hike. Click here for a trail map, driving directions, tips, and details to help you enjoy this adventure in Colorado Springs.
3.3. Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Colorado Springs hiking also has Cheyenne Mountain, which is present in the south of Colorado Springs.
One can experience nature’s diversity with prairie-to-peak ecosystems. There are many bike trails in Cheyenne Mountain within 20 miles of Colorado Springs hiking.
3.4. Garden of the Gods Park
In Colorado Springs hiking, you will have Gardens of the Gods Park, where you can find both paved and nature trails.
This wind through the formation of red rock and amazing views of Pike’s Peak. Despite hiking, god’s Park’s garden provides various activities like biking, horseback riding, birding, rock climbing, and other ways to see the park.
3.5. Palmer Loop Colorado Trail
Palmer Loop trail, also known as the Red Rock Palmer Loop, is a moderate-difficult hike with pine forest and a small waterfall. In the Palmer Loop trail, the first mile is mainly exposed and may also be brutal in the summer because the heat radiates off the red rock.
Then, just after the first mile, the trail mostly goes through the Ponderosa forest. Palmer Loop is a very popular trail, so many people visit it after work or during summer weekends.
3.6. Helen Hunt Falls or Silver Cascade Trails
The cascading Helen Hunt Falls is the shortest trail in Colorado Springs hiking, which gives a pleasant hike through the forest. It provides a great view of the stream and waterfall.
The visitors also experience the area through interpretive exhibits, scheduled hikes and walks, and by talking with the informative staff and volunteers on site.
The gift shop features Colorado scenic guides, history books, maps, nature books, videos, gift items, and drinks.
3.7. Manitou Incline Springs Trail
Manitou Incline Trail is a steep-rise trail from a historic rail car line. The trail is descended by 4 miles lower of Barr trail. Manitou incline trail has free hiking, but you should pay for the parking.
This hike is also considered the most extreme and advanced hike compared to other hikes.
3.8. Barr Trail Colorado Hiking
Barr Trail is the most challenging hike you will find in Colorado Springs hiking.
It is 7,800 vertical feet from Manitou Springs up to 14,115 feet summit of Pikes Peak. All in all, the Barr trail is a fantastic place for walking.
3.9. South Canon Trails
In Colorado Springs hiking, the advanced mountain bikers will have fun with this 10-mile trail system. You should follow the single track to have great views of the southern side of the Royal Gorge.
3.10. Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Park is Rich in both animal and plant life. This park has gentle trails that take you by overhangs, spires, hoodoos, and chasms.
These all are in beautiful colors such as golden yellow, rose pink, snowy, and white. Also, remember that no dogs are in the paint mines interpretive park.
3.11. The Bear Creek Dog Park
This dog park is located near the foothills; it is a 25-acre off-leash park that provides your dogs and their owners with a variety of hiking options and great amenities such as shade, a creek, a small dog area, an agility course, and restrooms.
It is named a top-10 US dog park and is considered to be among the region’s finest as Colorado Springs hiking.
3.12. Intemann Hiking Trail
This trail is a new 3-mile trail that is a round-trip and provides access to a summit that was recently opened to the public. Intemann Trail has finally completed going through the newly formed Iron Mountain Open Space.
This also means that there is a final connection between the Manitou Springs trails and the trail in western Colorado Springs.
3.13. Palmer Park in Colorado
Palmer Park is a 737-acre park that offers hiking and biking when you overlook the city. It has an enclosed off-leash dog park and also a separate off-leash area.
The views of this park are just incredible, and dogs are always leashed in all other areas.
3.14. The Hermann Hiking Trail
Hermann Trail is a 4-mile out-and-back trail rated as the best trail hike; it is a great place for outdoor adventures. The visitors will find many activities ranging from a stroll around the historic district to an exhilarating zip throughout the forest.
Several self-guided walking tours allow visitors to explore the community’s history and deal with great views of the monument, Colorado Springs hiking trails, and the mountains.
3.15. The Pancake Rocks Trail
This pancake rock trail is 5.5 miles out and back hiking trails near Woodland Park.
The Pancake Rocks trail is also rated to be the most difficult Colorado Springs hiking trail. It is an amazing hiking and mountain biking trail from May to October.
3.16. Catamount Trail
This trail is a 6-mile round trip, which is moderately difficult. The Catamount trail starts in Green Mountain Falls and ends at South Catamount Reservoir.
Ultimately, the Catamount Colorado Springs trail is all about sharing winter adventures with friends, new as well as old.
3.17. The Tunnel Drive Trail in Colorado
hiking trail is a historic part of the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail. Tunnel drive enters three separate tunnels and offers stunning views of the Arkansas River Gorge.
Also, this trail is very easy when compared to other above trails.
Closing Thoughts
The above were some beautiful and fantastic hiking trails, which one can go and experience difficult, moderate, and easy hiking with family and friends.
Other trails and parks you can check out are Seven Bridges Trail, Rocky Mountains Trail, Crags Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park, North Cheyenne Creek, Bear Creek Canon Park, and others you can check out near hikes near Colorado Springs.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
