2026-2027 Colorado Springs Hiking Guide: 32 Scenic Trails

Explore Colorado Springs trails with confidence, clarity, and local insight.

You’re standing at a trailhead in Colorado Springs, surrounded by red rock formations or gazing up at Pikes Peak, wondering if you chose the right trail for your fitness level, if the parking lot will be full, or if the elevation gain will destroy you halfway up. This guide answers those questions before you take your first step.

What you’ll gain from this guide:

I’ve hiked every trail in this book multiple times, in every season, at different times of day. I know which trails deliver stunning views for minimal effort, which ones require serious fitness and altitude respect, and which parking lots fill by 7 AM. This guide shares that knowledge clearly and honestly so you can hike smarter, safer, and with genuine confidence.

Inside you’ll find 32 curated day hikes covering:

Garden of the Gods (6 hikes) – Iconic red rocks, dramatic formations, and the famous Siamese Twins viewpointNorth Cheyenne Cañon (7 hikes) – Waterfalls, forest trails, and mountain scenery minutes from downtownRed Rock Canyon Open Space (6 hikes) – Quieter alternatives with stunning geology and fewer crowdsPalmer Park & Urban Trails (6 hikes) – Convenient after-work hikes and family-friendly loopsPikes Peak Region (7 hikes) – High-altitude alpine terrain with spectacular mountain views

Every trail includes:

Step-by-step directions written in clear, followable languageHonest difficulty ratings that account for Colorado altitudePrecise elevation gain and distance dataRealistic time estimates for actual hiking paceSeasonal recommendations and best times to visitParking logistics and crowd avoidance strategiesTrail snapshot tables for quick reference

Plus essential chapters on:

Altitude preparation and pacing strategiesWeather safety and lightning awarenessSeasonal gear checklistsOne-day itineraries and weekend combinationsLow-effort, high-reward trail recommendations

Why this guide works:

This isn’t recycled information or generic trail data. It’s grounded in fifteen years of hiking Colorado Springs trails, learning what works through experience, and caring enough about your safety and success to tell the truth about difficulty, timing, and conditions.

Start exploring with confidence.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend, moving to Colorado Springs, or finally ready to explore beyond the tourist loops, this guide gives you the knowledge locals use to hike these trails successfully. Pick your trail, pack properly, start at the right time, and discover why Colorado Springs hiking is worth the effort.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GN8XPWH3
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 12, 2026
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 130 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8248159758
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches