Conquer the Steps: Your Complete Guide to the Manitou Incline

There are hikes, and then there is the Manitou Incline. In just under one mile, this legendary trail climbs nearly 2,000 feet up the side of Mount Manitou via 2,744 original railroad ties — producing an average grade of 41% that tops out at a leg-shattering 68% near the summit. It's not technically a trail. It's a test. And it starts just minutes from our front door at 229 Manitou Ave.

Whether you're a local training for altitude races or a first-time visitor who wants to earn that Colorado story to tell back home, the Incline delivers an experience that's genuinely difficult to replicate anywhere else in the country. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

A Brief History of the Incline

The Incline's roots go back to the early 1900s, when it served as a cable car route to transport materials for a water pipeline up Mount Manitou. After the pipeline was complete, it became a tourist attraction — carrying passengers to the summit for sweeping views of Colorado Springs and the eastern plains. A rockslide in 1990 ended its commercial run, but locals kept hiking it informally for years. After years of advocacy and negotiations between the city, the Manitou Springs community, and trail groups, the Incline officially opened to the public in 2013. Today it's managed by the City of Colorado Springs and draws hikers from around the world.

What to Expect on the Climb

The Lower Section

The first third of the Incline starts steeply and stays that way — there is no warm-up period. The railroad ties vary in height and spacing, which means you'll constantly be adapting your stride. Most hikers find a rhythmic pace within the first few hundred steps. The surrounding foliage thins quickly as you gain elevation, revealing increasingly dramatic views of Manitou Springs and Ute Pass below.

The False Summit

Around two-thirds of the way up, you'll reach what locals grimly call the "false summit" — a flat section that tricks you into thinking the end is near before the grade kicks back up to its steepest pitch. This is where mental toughness matters as much as physical fitness. Keep your eyes on the ties directly ahead of you, not the top.

The Summit & Views

When the steps finally end, you'll find yourself at the trailhead of the Barr Trail, approximately 8,590 feet above sea level. Turn around and look east: the panorama stretches from the urban grid of Colorado Springs all the way to the flat Kansas horizon on clear days. It's one of the most earned views in the state, and it never gets old.

Reservations & Parking

The Incline operates a free reservation system to manage crowds, especially on weekends. Reservations are required and can be made at InclineReservations.com. Slots typically open two weeks in advance and fill quickly for Saturday and Sunday mornings between May and September. Weekday slots are generally easy to secure year-round.

The trailhead is located at the Manitou Incline Trailhead off Ruxton Avenue, about a 10-minute walk from The Outrider. We recommend walking from the hotel rather than driving — parking near the trailhead is limited and competitive on busy days. Leaving the car behind also means you can recover immediately: a two-minute walk from the Barr Trail terminus puts you back on Manitou Avenue, steps from the hotel.

What to Bring

The Incline is deceptively short in distance but unforgiving in effort. Pack accordingly. You'll want at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water for the climb and descent, trekking poles if you have them (they make a significant difference on both the ascent and the Barr Trail descent), and layers for the summit — temperatures at 8,590 feet can be 20°F cooler than at the base, and wind is common.

Footwear matters more here than on most trails. Trail running shoes or sturdy hiking boots with grip are ideal; road shoes or casual sneakers will work for fit hikers but will show their limits on the steeper sections. Dress in moisture-wicking layers — you will sweat.

Best Time to Go

Seasons

The Incline is hikeable year-round, though winter conditions require microspikes and extra caution on icy ties. Summer is peak season; June through August mornings fill up fastest. Late September through October offers cooler temperatures, aspen color in the surrounding canyon, and noticeably thinner crowds — arguably the best time of year for the experience.

Time of Day

Early morning is the gold standard. Not only do you beat the afternoon thunderstorms that roll in reliably above treeline between noon and 4 PM in summer, but the light hitting the canyon and the plains to the east is extraordinary at sunrise. First slot reservations — often as early as 6 AM — are worth setting an alarm for.

Recovery at The Outrider

The Incline will work every major muscle group in your lower body, your core, and your lungs. After a climb of that intensity, what you do in the next few hours matters. At The Outrider, we've built a recovery experience around exactly this scenario: a traditional sauna to flush lactic acid and relax deep muscle tissue, two cold plunges for inflammation reduction and that endorphin reset your legs are going to need, and a fire pit lounge where you can stare out at the same canyon you just climbed from the comfort of a chair with a drink in hand.

There's a reason we're located where we are. The Incline is the most demanding thing you'll do in Manitou Springs. The hotel that waits for you at the bottom should be equal to the effort. That's the Outrider promise: roam free, rest easy.