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Colorado Springs is a breathtaking and inspiring place to visit. Take these Colorado Springs hikes if you want to see the area’s beauty.
Located near the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs offers plenty of great hikes. The area has trails for all hikers. Trails include easy Colorado Springs hikes that take you through meadows filled with wildflowers. You can also find hard hikes to the top of Pikes Peak!
The area’s mild climate and low humidity makes it an ideal spot for hiking. Hikers have the chance to see some of the area’s rarest and most beautiful wildlife like:
- Songbirds
- Deer
- Even the occasional moose
Hikers also enjoy stunning views of the mountains, rivers and valleys that make the region so special.
For more information about the best Colorado Springs hikes, see the AllTrails app. The free app has helpful information. The premium app has lots of useful hiking information including offline maps.
Introduction: Colorado Springs Hikes
Some of the appeal includes:
- Mountains
- Wonderful wildlife
- Picturesque views
…..to make the area around Colorado Springs an ideal location for hiking.
Why Is The City Named Colorado Springs?
The city’s name relates to the location and history.
Colorado Springs was home to the Ute tribe before the 1800s. The Ute believed that the area had sacred natural springs blessed with healing powers. The Ute would travel from all over the region to bathe in the springs.
The area was settled in the late 1800s shortly after the United States took the Ute’s land. In 1871, a Civil War veteran founded the city and named it after the natural springs.
The city became the region’s business hub since it was so close to the area’s gold and silver mines. The mines were the area’s main source of income.
What Makes The Area Around Colorado Springs So Great For Hiking?
Surrounded by mountains, the area has a great hiking landscape. The area around the city has a trail for beginners to experts. Nature and a convenient location combine to make Colorado Springs a great place to get outdoors and hike. You will love Colorado Springs hiking trails.
Who First Settled In The Area Around Colorado Springs?
The first people living in the area were Ute Indian tribes. Studies show that the Utes settled in the area around 500 BCE. The Utes were nomads who lived by hunting and gathering.
After the Utes, the Spanish explorers came to the region. They came for gold and other minerals. The Spanish were there until 1806, when the U.S. Army arrived and forced them out.
In 1859, the first settlers from the United States arrived in the area. The U.S. Army established Fort Carson in the same year. The area around Colorado Springs was declared a city in 1871.
The earliest people in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area were:
- Military
- Miners
- Fur trappers
- Ranchers
What Were The First Ways To Make A Living In The Area Around Colorado Springs?
Farming has been important since the Utes. The first farmers farmers planted:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Melons
- Vegetables
- and more…
They farmed for their own food and for trading with their neighbors.
The area around the city saw a lot of growth in the twentieth century in:
- Ranching
- Sheep herding
- Timbering from the nearby forests
- Milling
- Mining
You still see a little of these businesses today.
Modern Colorado Springs
Hikers know the city for its outstanding hiking trails and beauty. Most hikers visit the area for the stunning hiking trails and gorgeous mountains.
Businesses includes defense and high tech. The city also has a booming tourism industry.
The city also has a thriving arts scene with many:
- Museums
- Galleries
- Theater companies.
Hikes Near Colorado Springs
For one of Colorado Springs best hikes, take one of these trails:
- Mesa, Greenlee, and Red Rock Canyon Path Loop
- Mount Cutler Trail
- Mount Muscoco Trail
- Palmer, Buckskin-Charley, Niobrara, and Bretag Trail Loop
- Palmer Trail (Section 16)
Mesa, Greenlee, And Red Rock Canyon Path Loop: Description
For hikers, this is an awe inspiring loop trail. The trail has sandstone canyons and Rocky Mountains’ views.
This trail winds through open meadows and hills dotted with oak trees. you can also find very old rock carvings. The trail is easy to follow making it a great option for families or beginner hikers.
At the end of the loop, you will find yourself on top of a high, flat hill. You will love the sweeping Colorado Springs skyline views and the surrounding mountains. Rocks along the trail can be slippery so you might want to take your hiking poles.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 262 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Mount Cutler Trail: Description
The Mount Cutler Trail also offers great city and surrounding landscape views. The trail has a series of switchbacks and gradual climbs that lead you to the mountain top.
The trail has a lower half and an upper half. The lower half has more gradual inclines. The upper half has a steep incline with sharper turns. The switchbacks have trees and shrubs lining them. The trees and shrubs help give you some relief from hot summer heat. With the slick trail gravel and some incline, take your hiking poles.
You can expect to spot the following along the trail:
- Deer
- Birds
- Many other animals
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 472 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Mount Muscoco Trail: Description
The Mount Muscoco Trail offers an ideal introduction to what it’s like to hike in the area. The trail offers breathtaking mountain views and lots of wildflowers in the spring and summer.
The trail takes you through pines, oaks, and other native plants. Along the way, hikers will love seeing the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Pikes Peak, and the plains below. If you want a harder hike, you can connect to the Ring the Peak Trail for a longer loop.
Take your hiking poles to help with the loose gravel and steep incline. Your knees will love you.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 3.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,299 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Palmer, Buckskin-Charley, Niobrara, And Bretag Trail Loop: Description
If you want a more off the beaten path trail, hike this loop trail. This trail takes hikers through some of Colorado Springs most remote and scenic areas.
The trail has spectacular views and many different kinds of landscape. This trail treats you to:
- Alpine Meadows
- Rocky outcrops
- Lush forests
The trail starts off flat for the most part so you get to warm up on your way up the mountain. Along the trail, you’ll see outstanding Rocky Mountain views. On your hike back, you’ll love the alpine meadow’s wildflowers and many different kinds of wildlife.
Arrive early to beat the crowds on this popular trail.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 4.0 miles
- Elevation gain: 449 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Palmer Trail (Section 16): Description
The first part of the trail is flat but becomes very steep and rugged as you hike. The second section is a gentler incline then you hike downhill until you reach the end of the loop. Along the way, stop to enjoy several lookout points, a few streams, and the rock formations.
Take your hiking poles.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 5.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,292 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Parks For Colorado Springs Hikes
Colorado Springs has many parks that beg you to take a hike! Some of the parks where you find these great hikes include:
Bear Creek Canon Park: Nestled deep in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains lies Bear Creek Canon Park, a hiking paradise that captivates hikers. This park offers something for all hikers.
The park has a well maintained, cool creek. Take a dip in the creek. Cool down from the hot summer sun. You might very well see:
- Eagles and hawks soaring overhead
- Deer on the move
- An occasional fox or coyote
After your hike enjoy a snack at one of the park’s picnic areas.
Garden of the Gods:
The park offers a wide variety of trails from short trails to longer hikes. This park was a sacred area for early tribes. Commanche, Utes, Apaches, and other tribes visited here to practice their sacred customs.
North Cheyenne Canon Park:
This park is a 1,600 acre hiking paradise. The park has trails that vary in difficulty and length. Choose a hike that suits your experience.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space:
A state open space and nature preserve, the park has abundant wildlife and spectacular views. This park is the perfect place to see the Rocky Mountains’ beauty.
Summary: Colorado Springs Hikes
The area has spectacular landscapes and great views. Hikers love these trails! From the Rocky Mountains to:
- Forests
- Valleys
- Canyons
- Rivers
- and Alpine meadows…
Everyone will find a trail to love here. The area around Colorado Springs offers a wide range of hiking trails and scenic sites.
Colorado Springs has some of the country’s most well known parks. The area’s climate also makes it ideal for hiking. Mild winters, mild summers, and a dry climate make the area a great year round hiking spot.
You will love the incredible Rocky Mountain views! From the rocky cliffs of Red Rocks Park to the peaceful paths of Garden of the Gods, the area has lots of great hiking trails.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, Colorado Springs has a hike for you. If you want a great hiking experience, take a Colorado Springs hike!
For more information about the best Colorado Springs hikes, see the AllTrails app. The free app has helpful information. The premium app has lots of useful hiking information including offline maps.
If you need hiking gear, Amazon has some very good gear at economical prices.
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