Please remember to respect your fellow hiking and biking enthusiast and follow this suggested trail etiquette.
1. Garden of the Gods Park
Difficulty: Easy
Rated the No. 1 U.S. park by TripAdvisor, you’ll find both paved and natural trails that wind through magnificent red-rock formations and offer stunning views of Pikes Peak at Garden of the Gods Park. The Garden of the Gods trail map offers a good overview of your options. There is an off-leash dog area between Rock Ledge Ranch and 30th Street, but dogs in the park must be leashed.
2. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Red Rock Canyon Open Space offers a variety of trails that wind along the canyons and ridges of red rock and provide great views of the Garden of the Gods. These trails connect to many other hiking trails in the area. There are two off-leash dog loops and a free-ride bike park.
3. Cheyene Mountain State Park
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Just south of Colorado Springs, you can explore nature’s diversity on 2,700 acres with prairie-to-peak ecosystems on 20 miles of hiking and biking trails at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Entrance fee.
4. Palmer Park
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
This 737-acre park offers hiking and biking on a mesa overlooking the city. Enclosed off-leash dog park as well as a separate off-leash area with incredible views. Dogs must be leashed in all other areas.
5. Austin Bluffs Open Space
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
This area is known for its unique rock formations created by the most recent geological uplift. The 585 acres can be accessed via two trailheads.
6. Bear Creek Dog Park
Difficulty: Easy
Located near the foothills, this 25-acre off-leash park provides dogs and their owners with a variety of hiking options; great amenities such as shade, creek, small-dog area, agility course and restrooms. Named a top-10 U.S. dog park and considered to be among the region's finest.
7. Fountain Creek Park
Difficulty: Easy
View wildlife, marshes, streams and ponds as you hike the gentle and shaded trails at Fountain Creek Park.
8. Midland Trail
Difficulty: Easy
This 5-mile trail runs from the town of Manitou Springs to America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs; some parts of the trail are on streets.
9. Barr Trail
Difficulty: Challenging
This is a 12-mile (one-way) hike gaining 7,800 vertical feet from Manitou Springs to the 14,107-foot summit of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain. Parking Tip: Enjoy the great outdoors and support local businesses by parking at Iron Springs Chateau during the day.
10. Palmer Loop Trail (AKA Red Rock Palmer Loop Trail)
Difficulty: Moderate
A 6-mile loop hike of moderate difficulty among the pine forest with spectacular views, shade and a small waterfall.
11. Intemann Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
This new 3-mile trail (round-trip) is part of the Intemann Trail and provides access to a summit that was only recently open to the public.
12. Manitou Incline
Difficulty: Challenging
NOTE: The Manitou Incline requires all users make a free online reservation before hiking. Learn details here.
For the ultimate workout, tackle the 1-mile, 2,000-foot vertical rise trail made from the track of a historical rail car line at the Manitou Incline. Descend on lower 4 miles of the Barr Trail.
13. Royal Gorge Park
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Stare 1,000 feet into the famed Royal Gorge at Royal Gorge Park. Outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities will find plenty of options for overlooks, winding trails and mountain biking.
14. Helen Hunt Falls (AKA Silver Cascade Trail)
Difficulty: Moderate
This short trail offers a pleasant hike through the forest alongside a cascading stream and waterfall.
15. Seven Bridges
Difficulty: Moderate
This is an easy to moderate trail as there is a constant gain in elevation as you cross seven bridges after hiking a portion of the old Midland Railroad line.
16. Catamount Trail
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
A 6-mile round trip hike of moderate difficulty that starts in Green Mountain Falls and ends at South Catamount Reservoir.
17. Tunnel Drive
Difficulty: Easy
This historic section of the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail enters three separate tunnels and offers stunning views of the Arkansas River Gorge.
18. Mt. Herman Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
A 4-mile out-and-back trail rated as moderate with great views of Monument, Colorado Springs and the mountains.
19. Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Difficulty: Easy
Rich in both animal and plant life, the park’s gentle trails take you by overhangs, spires, hoodoos, carved walls,and chasms that are in beautiful colors such as golden yellow, rose pink, snowy white and mauve. No dogs.
20. Mt. Cutler
Difficulty: Easy
This one-way trail parallels N. Cheyenne Canon Road and heads up to the summit. Along the way, you'll see great views of Stratton Open Space, Seven Falls and Will Rogers Shrine.
21. Lovell Gulch Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
This loop trail takes you on a pleasant 5-mile hike near Woodland Park. Once at the ridge you’ll have a great view of the north face of Pikes Peak.
22. The Crags Trail
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
A wonderful 4.2-mile hike in Pike National Forest that is great for families and dogs. If you want a more intense hike, you can go all the way to the summit of Pikes Peak.
23. Mueller State Park
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Scenic wildlife viewing of elk, bighorn sheep and birds on 5,511 acres of land with 55 miles of hiking and biking trails. No dogs. Entrance fee.
24. Pancake Rocks Trail
Difficulty: Challenging
A 5.5-mile out-and-back trail located near Woodland Park, rated as difficult. Great for hiking and mountain biking from May to October.
25. South Cañon Trails
Difficulty: Easy/Advanced
Both beginning and advanced mountain bikers will enjoy this 10-mile trail system. Climb technical singletrack to Great Escape for views of the south side of the Royal Gorge.
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A version of this article appears on VisitCOS.com.
