Colorado Trails

Best Trails

Manitou Incline Trail

Manitou Springs, CO

Hiking
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Walking

The Incline Trail is a 3 mile out and back trail located near Manitou Springs, Colorado that offers the chance to see wildlife and is only recommended for very experienced outdoorsmen. The trail is primarily used for hiking & trail running and is accessible from May until October.

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  • Best Mountain Biking

  • Best Trail Running

Recent Reviews

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Caribou Peak
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2 Completed 1 Reviews

Excellent trail. Great challenge for mid-season hike.

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Bishop's Castle
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

Unique history behind the castle. Little tiring going up all the stairs and will def test you fear factor of heights. Usually windy when I go so the top moves back and forth and you never know if you will fall or not. After about 30-45min you are done with the place and move on. Def something to see for first time visitors or if you have friends or family out of town visiting. Don't like going every year cause not much changes but if you wait 2-4 years in between visits it is cool to see the changes

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Newlin Creek Trail
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

Buddy and I did this trail the past weekend. Not sure what to expect since not many pictures. First bridge and 15+ creek crossings later and it was beautiful. We went on an overcast day and it continued to get foggy the whole way up. It was so beautiful and something you would see in a scary movie. Getting to the meadow was awesome. No idea there was a sawmill up there. Almost 130 years old and looked in great shape. The hike was pretty easy and it was about 2 hours up and 1 hour down. We only saw a couple people the entire time. This is a perfect hike if you want to get away from the world and be outside. Take good shoes, camelbak and some food and you will have a great day!

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Seven Bridges Trail
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

Fun trail overall. We took our 4 year old daughter and she made it through 4 bridges. It is a fairly quick hike overall if you just do the 7 bridges and head back. Every time we have done this trail there are lots of people, dogs and bikers. Would recommend this of you have a couple hours to spare and want to get outdoors.

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Dome Rock Trail
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

My fianc and I did this during the summer of 2011. If you start in the lower parking lot the hike starts off beautiful. We got to dome rock and decided to eat lunch (3pm). We had no idea of what to expect for the second half. The last part is pretty much a never ending up, level out, up, level out trip for what seemed like forever. Finally we hit the incline down as the sun started to fall. It became
Super cold and completely dark. We ended up getting to the car around 930-10pm exhausted, cold and scared that something might eat us. IT WAS AMAZING. This was the first time we had done an all day hike together and it really allowed us to support and push each other. I will do this hike again but start out earlier in the day. The trail has some amazing views. Be sure to pack for the trip. We had way to much gear for this trip and this slowed us way down and got us tired a lot quicker than we needed. Being good boots, a camelbak, food and possibly a light jacket and flashlight if you start out any later than 12pm as you will probably get back after dark

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S. Boulder Peak
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

Difficult as previously stated but the payoff was amazing! The trail was not terribly busy and the weather through the canyon was perfect. Plenty of water, good hiking boots, and a ton of persistence will get you to the top of this remote Boulder peak. The terrain is undoubtedly the toughest that I have encountered in the Boulder area. My wife saw a black bear on our way down, about 2/3 of the way down through shadow canyon. Great hike! My legs are killing me and I'll never do it again ;-)

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Spruce Mountain Open Space Trail
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6 Completed 4 Reviews

This was a great easy hike and the views were great. We crossed paths with horse riders, bikers, and people with their dogs. We must have started at the wrong location as I had 6.2 miles from my GPS.

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Eldorado Canyon Trail
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

Nice hike. Registered exactly 7 miles round on GPS. This site describes this hike as difficult and I'm not sure I agree. There is plenty of ascent time but the terrain is pretty easy; I would have to say this hike is more toward moderate. Love the trail and the views. I was happily surprised at how cool the trail head (state park) was and that I ended up at the south Boulder Creek just a short distance beyond the end of Eldorado Canyon Trail.

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Quandary Peak
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1 Completed 1 Reviews

Trail is not clearly marked and I went over quit a bit of trees to keep what I thought was the trail.

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Chief Mountain Trail
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2 Completed 1 Reviews

Great views, close to Denver, classic mountain adventure. Ideal hike to give 'out of towners' a high altitude hiking experience.

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Chautauqua Park: First Flatiron Trail
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

Good hike. This area can be very crowded so it's best to hike this trail early. There is an area a little over half way up that requires an easy scramble up about 30 feet or so but it can be done by anyone that can make it that far. Enjoyed a view from the top with only 2 other people up there at about 9am.

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The Crags Day Hike Trail
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9 Completed 9 Reviews

Very beautiful. Only saw three other people due to the rainy weather. A bit of snow about a mile in but still worth it.

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Apex Road
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2 Completed 1 Reviews

An easy dirt road for just about any SUV when it is dry. From Central City, take Apex to Bald Mountain Rd. and go east to Alice and the St. Mary's Glacier. Don't forget to stop at the cemeterys along the way.

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Dodgeton Trail
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2 Completed 1 Reviews

This was a great trail; 3 stream crossings, low use, and easy elevation gain. Though it is also for ATVs....... it is low use. There wasnt any on the trail when I was there (on a Sunday). Dog freindly too! This trail can be doubled by continuing on the Indian Creek trail and looping back around on Baker creek.

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Silverton to Animas Forks Ghost Town
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2 Completed 1 Reviews

Beautiful views! Ghost town was pretty cool to.

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Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake
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4 Completed 4 Reviews

My friend and I arrived in RMNP around 10:30 in the morning and took one of the park buses up to the Bear Lake lot, which had already filled. As a flat lander, this was one of those hikes you always remember. The trail itself is relatively easy and quite crowded, but every turn of the corner looked like something from a postcard.

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Spruce Mountain Open Space Trail
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1 Completed 1 Reviews

Today was a wonderful spring day and great for a hike. The views were somewhat obscured by the low level clouds, but really it added a new beauty. Though a cool morning, within the first mile I removed my rain jacket.

Going early on a cloudy day meant we had the trail to ourselves until the last half mile back to the trailhead.

Wild flowers scattered along the trail; bright blues, yellows, and orange. We didn't see any wildlife other than a few darting chipmunks.

The first part of the trail is a bit steep and will wind a novice or a long returning hiker. Switchbacks make the accent a little easier as well. But don't let it stop you. Take breaks and get to the top, it is so very worth it!

This is a great hike with lots to offer and doesn't require a long drive to high county.

The only reason I gave 4 stars and not five is because the trail can get very crowded on the weekends and unfortunately we passed a couple groups who felt they were exempt from having to keep their dogs on a leash.

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Mica Mines
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1 Completed 1 Reviews

Very fun for all ages. :) tools the kids they had a blast.

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Alderfer / Three Sisters
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6 Completed 1 Reviews

Being a super white girl from WI, I enjoy trails that provide some shade from the hot Colorado sun. The first stretch of the hike wasn't my cup of tea, not much to see and HOT! Then there was a turn off to the lookout, that sounded promising and did not disappoint! Gorgeous views and some easy rock climbing for me and my 5yr old in tow. There are few signs on the trail to let you know distance so allow plenty of time. The remaining part of the trail was shaded and gorgeous. We encountered a few people on the trail but made sure to stay well ahead of the bus load of kids that entered the parking lot shortly after we arrived! yikes!

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Pancake Rocks Trail
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1 Completed 1 Reviews

This trail is a great workout through a dense forest then incredible
views at the top.The rock formations rea lly resemble pancakes.

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Roxborough State Park
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10 Completed 7 Reviews

Amazing hike. We saw three deer right off the trail. Looks of wildlife. Lots of trails and even old old farm houses. Will definitely go again. Have gone more then once already.

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Seven Bridges Trail
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10 Completed 7 Reviews

Great workout. Will burn your legs but it's awesome. Will definitely go again.

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The Crags Day Hike Trail
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10 Completed 7 Reviews

So pretty. Great hike. Easy and peaceful.

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Royal Arch Trail
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10 Completed 7 Reviews

Beautiful Beautiful! Have to try. We will go back.

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Rocks and Vistas, Garden of the Gods
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10 Completed 7 Reviews

Amazing. So many trails. Can't wait to go back.

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Apex Gulch Loop
by Bonnie Hildebrandt

2 Completed 2 Reviews

Nice and near. Saw 4 deer.

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Manitou Incline Trail
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8 Completed 4 Reviews

The agony of the climb (including the false summit) is worth it when you get to run like a banshee back down to the base.

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Rocks and Vistas, Garden of the Gods
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13 Completed 4 Reviews

Lots of people. But great. Definitely gonna do it again.

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Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail
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19 Completed 4 Reviews

Dawson Butte is an excellent trial for all ages and skill levels. Parking here is good size and there are facilities in the parking lot. After unloading the bikes we headed south to our start point. If your riding this trail cross the main road to the north entrance and ride this loop counterclockwise this will offer the most down hill.

From the south entrance follow the trail threw the tall trees as the trail wraps around the side of the hill. Parallel to Tomah road you begin to descend into art like scrub oak. Meandering around boulders on the soft tan colored trail. clearing a patch of pine trees the trail opens to a rolling field.

Beware there is some soft sand in this section. Carving around the last corner and across the creek the trail quickly turns from rolling meadow to wooded forest. Get your camera out there are great shots to be had in this area.

The trail wisps threw the trees climbing and descending as the smell of pine trees and the sight of bright green bushes overwhelms the senses. Random spots of meadow peak from the bare spots of pine needles and pinecones.

You soon come to a service road, again it gets sandy in this section. Climbing threw this wooded section and you will begin to see benches every mile or so from this point on. The thick trees soon give way to random pockets of meadow. One of theses meadows has a great picnic bench next to a few post where you can tie up horses. This area is a great area to explore and just listen to nature.

These random pockets of meadow open up just past the horse jumping trail (Heavens Staircase) into one large meadow and gives you a great view of Dawson's Butte.

The next section of this trail is great for views. The trail pops in and out of more scrub oak to the left is the base of Dawson's Butte, the right side is open meadow. This is a great section to catch glimpses of wild flowers and blooming cacti. Follow the trail as it takes you across the meadow and back threw one last wooded section and just like that your right back to your vehicle.


Remember always pack out what you packed in, and more if you can. Also remember pet waste that would normally biodegrade on its own wont in a plastic bag, so pack it out or leave the plastic at home.
Happy trails...

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Roxborough State Park
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1 Completed 1 Reviews

My friend, Susan, and I started our weekly hiking club (really just the two of us for now). Roxborough State Park was a great way to start. The trails were easy (listed easy/moderate but mostly easy). Our day started at NYB with cappuccino's and a shared bagel. It was my first time to this state park and was surprised to discover how close to home it is. Driving into the park we saw our first sign of wildlife - a deer. The rock formations, greenery, and wildflowers were spectacular. We hiked for about 2 hours, enjoying girl talk the whole time. Since it was on a day during the middle of the week we only saw a handful of other hikers. Can't wait for our next hike. I think we'll be able to handle more moderate/strenuous trails.