Best Hikes Near Manitou Springs, Colorado

Manitou is a 5,000-person town that punches well above its weight for hiking. The Manitou Incline alone draws thousands of climbers per week in summer, and the Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak starts at the upper edge of town.

The Manitou Incline is the area's signature workout: 2,744 wooden railroad-tie steps climbing 2,000 feet in less than a mile. Average grade is 41%; sections exceed 68%. Reservations are required year-round through Manitou Springs ($1, online), and they fill weekends 1-2 weeks ahead. The descent down the Incline itself is banned for safety reasons; come back down via the Barr Trail (3.4 miles, gentle grade).

Barr Trail itself is the route to Pikes Peak's 14,115-foot summit: 26 miles round trip with 7,500 feet of gain. Most people split it across two days with an overnight at Barr Camp (6.7 miles in, dormitory bunks $40, reservations required). One-day Barr Trail attempts take 10-14 hours.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway runs from Manitou to the summit and provides a one-way option: hike up Barr, ride down the cog. Tickets must be booked in advance and the cog schedule limits this to specific descent times.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is the easy family alternative, with quartzite formations and a 2.5-mile loop trail. Free parking, no reservations, dog-friendly. Often less crowded than Garden of the Gods next door.

Garden of the Gods is 2 miles north of Manitou and free year-round. See our Colorado Springs page for details on the iconic red-rock trails there.

Intemann Trail runs along the hillside above Manitou and provides a 5-mile point-to-point hike with good views down to the town and across to Pikes Peak. Less crowded than the Incline by a factor of 100.

Manitou's altitude makes it an unusually accessible basecamp for a 14er town. Sleep here for 2-3 nights before attempting Barr Trail; Pikes Peak's summit altitude can hit unacclimated hikers hard. Read our altitude sickness guide and Pikes Peak detail page.