Epic Active Manitou Springs Itinerary

Manitou Springs, Colorado, is a charming mountain town packed with adventure, history, and natural beauty, making it the perfect destination for an active day trip from Denver or Colorado Springs. Two of the top unique things to do in Colorado are in Manitou Springs, and you can do both in one day. Conquer the iconic Manitou Incline, wander through the enchanting Garden of the Gods, and exploring the town’s mineral springs and unique attractions. Enjoy our epic active Manitou Springs itinerary, hiking the iconic Manitou Incline, exploring the Garden of the Gods, enjoying local eats, and more.

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Manitou Springs Itinerary Contents

• How to Get from Denver to Manitou Springs
• Morning, Conquer the Manitou Incline
• Midday, Lunch and Explore Manitou Springs
• Afternoon, Explore Garden of the Gods
• Other Things to Do in the Manitou Springs Area
• Where to Stay in the Manitou Springs area
• Manitou Incline Tips
  • Reservations for the Manitou Incline
  • What is the Best Place to Park for the Manitou Incline?
  • What to Bring on Your Manitou Incline Climb
  • What If You Can’t Make it to the Top of the Incline?
  • Can You Climb Back Down the Incline?

How to Get from Denver to Manitou Springs

Getting to Manitou Springs from Denver is straightforward, whether you’re driving, using public transportation, or taking a tour.

• By car, it’s about a 75-mile drive that takes roughly 1.5 hours via I-25 South. Simply follow the interstate toward Colorado Springs, then take Exit 141 for US-24 West toward Manitou Springs.
• For those relying on public transportation, you can take the Bustang South Line from Denver’s Union Station to Colorado Springs. From there, transfer to a local Mountain Metro Transit bus or a rideshare service for the short trip to Manitou Springs. Public transit does require more time and coordination, but it’s an available option for those without access to a car.

Morning: Conquer the Manitou Incline

Drive from Denver down to Manitou Springs early in the day. Start your day by tackling the Manitou Incline, a challenging yet rewarding hike that has an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet in less than a mile. This iconic trail near Colorado Springs is a rite of passage for hikers and fitness enthusiasts alike. We’ve done this hike numerous times, both before and after it became an official hiking trail. Personally, I am always glad to have finished it, though it is extremely challenging, especially in the middle.

If the Manitou Incline doesn’t appeal to you, see our alternative activities for your morning below, including a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

The Manitou Incline was originally built as a cable car railway in 1907, and was used to transport materials for a hydroelectric plant on Pikes Peak. It was later transformed into a tourist attraction, offering visitors a thrilling ride and spectacular mountain views. The railway was closed in 1990, after it was damaged by a rockslide. Hikers began using the abandoned railway bed as a challenging trail, and it quickly gained popularity. Today, the incline is a legally maintained hiking trail, attracting hikers and runners from around the world.

Manitou Incline Trail Information

• Stair Count: Approximately 2,768 steps. There are markers on the stairs every 100 steps, in case you lose count as you’re climbing. Be aware that the stairs are not uniform in size.
• Trail map: see the Alltrails map for the 4 mile (6.4 km) loop, which climbs the Incline and returns to the base on the more gentle Barr Trail.
• Average time to complete the roundtrip: 3 hours (elite athletes may finish in 30 minutes)
• Elevation: 6,530 ft / 2012 m (at the base), 8,550 ft / 2606 m (at the summit)
• Difficulty: This is a very steep and strenuous climb and it is not for everyone. If you are coming from sea level, be sure to give yourself time to acclimate to the altitude before trying this hike.
• Average Grade: 41%
• Steepest Grade: 68% (the steepest sections are in the middle, it does get relatively easier again towards the top).

See our Manitou Incline Tips below for further details on this hike.

Midday: Lunch and Explore Manitou Springs

After your early morning start, treat yourself to a well-earned breakfast or brunch. Manitou Springs is a charming town nestled at the base of Pikes Peak, and fun to explore. It’s the perfect place to refuel and recharge. Some great breakfast options include:

• Adam’s Mountain Café: Known for its hearty, globally inspired dishes and organic coffee.
• The Cliff House Dining Room: For a touch of elegance, indulge in a breakfast burrito or Belgian waffles at this historic inn’s breakfast buffet.
• Mo’s Diner & Lounge: This is the place to go for a diner experience and pancake breakfast with wonderful service.

Take a stroll through town to explore its quirky shops and sights before heading to your next adventure.

• Don’t miss the opportunity to taste the town’s famous natural mineral springs, accessible at several public fountains around town—pick up a free map from the Visitor Center to find them all.
• The penny arcade is a fun option for kids of all ages.
• For a change of pace, visit the Miramont Castle Museum to get a peak into this Victorian mansion and to enjoy tea in the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room.

Afternoon: Explore Garden of the Gods

Just a short drive from Manitou Springs, the Garden of the Gods is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. This free public park features towering red rock formations, diverse hiking trails, and panoramic views.

Top Hikes in Garden of the Gods

• The Perkins Central Garden Trail is the most popular trail. It’s an easy, 1.1 mile (1.8 km) paved loop running through the heart of the park, past the Kissing Camels rock formation and Sentinel Rock.
• The Ridge Loop Trail is a more moderate though short trail (0.4 miles [0.64 km]), with beautiful, panoramic views of the park.
• The Siamese Twins Trail is a short 0.6-mile (1 km) loop featuring unique twin rock formations with a view of Pikes Peak framed in the distance.
• The Palmer Trail offers a 2.2-mile (3.5 km) loop through the park’s less-traveled areas, showcasing both the formations and the natural flora of the region.

Other Fun Activities in Garden of the Gods

• Visitor Center: Learn about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife through interactive exhibits. Grab a map to guide your exploration and chat with the park ranger to get tips for your visit. Check out their events calendar for guided nature walks and junior ranger programs.
• Photography: The park is a photographer’s dream, frequently with a dramatic contrast between the red rocks and the blue sky.
• Jeep Tour: If you’re tired after your Manitou Incline hike, or you’d just prefer a jeep tour to hiking, consider a jeep tour.
• E-Bike Tour of the Park: Get a different perspective on the park by participating in an e-bike tour.
• Rock climbing in the gardens: run by Front Range Climbing, choose from a variety of rock climbing options.

Plan to spend 2-3 hours wandering through this geological park. Don’t forget to hydrate and bring sunscreen, as the high-altitude sun can be intense.

Other Things to Do in the Manitou Springs Area

If you would prefer an alternative to the Manitou Incline, or decide to spend more time in Manitou Springs, here are some of the other great things to do in the area.

• Enjoy a ride up Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, enjoying beautiful views along the way and from the top.
• For history lovers, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings offer a fascinating glimpse into Ancestral Puebloan life.
• Just a short drive away, you’ll find the Broadmoor Seven Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls tucked into a picturesque canyon. Climb the 224 steps alongside the falls for incredible views or take the elevator to the Eagle’s Nest Lookout. Note that this closes during the winter.

Beyond Manitou Springs, don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Paint Mines Interpretive Park, about 45 minutes east of Colorado Springs.

Evening: Optional Dinner Stop

If time allows and you’re not in a rush to head back, consider wrapping up your day with dinner in Manitou Springs. For an upscale meal, the Cliff House Dining Room offers American faire in the historic hotel’s dining room. For a more casual meal, try the Manitou Brewing Co.

Manitou Springs Active Itinerary Wrap-Up

A day trip to Manitou Springs to enjoy the Manitou Incline and Garden of the Gods is a quintessential Colorado adventure. These unique activities are one of the reasons the Colorado Springs area is one of the top day trips from Denver. From the adrenaline of the incline to the towering red rock formations, enjoy our Manitou Springs itinerary, combining adventure, challenge, and beauty.

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Where to Stay in the Manitou Springs area

For more lodging options, search below:

Manitou Incline Tips

Reservations for the Manitou Incline

Free reservations are required for this climb. This is simply to control the number of people on the incline at a given time. We have never had our reservation checked, but they do periodically have someone at the trailhead monitoring these. Reservations open up about 4-6 weeks in advance, so this may require some advanced planning depending on the time of year. Aim for a reservation from 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. during warmer months to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures (the incline is very exposed to the sun). During the summer, you can access the incline with reservations between 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. During the winter months (November through April), access is between 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

What is the Best Place to Park for the Manitou Incline?

The best place to park will likely depend on what time you arrive at the incline.

• We prefer parking in the Iron Springs Chateau Parking Lot, just below the Barr Trail trailhead. Plan to arrive by 7 am during warmer months to get a spot. Cost is $15 and is cash only (pay the parking attendant).
• The Hiawatha Gardens Parking Lot in Manitou Springs is also convenient, especially if you arrive after 7 am. It’s a paid lot 5 am to 6 pm. The lot offers a free shuttle service to the incline base. You can also walk the 1.3 miles to the base of the incline.

What to Bring on Your Manitou Incline Climb

• Sturdy, close-toed shoes (trail running or hiking shoes are ideal). The Barr Trail on the way down has loose dirt/sand, which can be slippery;
• Hat to protect you from the sun (there is very little shade);
• Dress in layers: while it may be cold in the morning, you’ll likely need to peel off layers before reaching the top;
• Plenty of water (it’s typically very hot and quite dry, so bring more than you think you’ll need);
• Snacks to give you energy on the way up or at the top;
• Day pack to carry your water, snacks, etc.;
• Trekking poles (optional).

See our Essential Day Hiking Checklist for more hiking essentials.

What If You Can’t Make it to the Top of the Incline?

The Manitou Incline is notorious for being extremely challenging. If you don’t make it to the top on your first try, you can always try again. Listen to your body, take breaks as needed, and don’t feel pressured to push beyond your limits. As mentioned above, climbing back down the stairs can be risky, so we do recommend using one of the bailout points. The trail has 3 points where you can safely exit the stairs and take a more gentle trail back down.

• The 1st two bailouts are at railroad tie #395 and #1300 (roughly the halfway point). Both connect to the Ute trail, where you can gently traverse and make your way back down to the base.
• The 3rd and final bailout is around #1800, which connects to the Barr Trail. From there, you can descend the Barr Trail for a more gradual and scenic return to the base.

Can You Climb Back Down the Incline?

Once at the top, you can opt to return the way you came (carefully descending the steps) or take the Barr Trail for a more gradual 3-mile descent. You will see people running back down the stairs, but given the steep incline, the risk of injury is pretty high. We strongly recommend taking the Barr Trail.

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