Manitou Spring Incline

The Manitou Springs Incline is a 0.9 mile trail that was built in 1907 in preparation for the construction of a dam and cable car. The trail is still maintained today by volunteers and experienced hikers who enjoy the challenge of hiking directly to the summit of Mt. Manitou. This is an extremely difficult trail that gains almost 2,000 vertical feet in about one mile. One experienced hiker described the trail as "quite literally the stairway to heaven." The hike can be completed in 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on skill and conditioning.

This massive trail boasts a one mile vertical hike to the top of Mt. Manitou in Manitou Springs, CO. It was built and completed in 1907 with the intention of aiding construction crew works in a cable car in support of a hydroelectric plan and its waterline. It was later sold and bought and turned into a tourist attraction by its owner boasting to have the “longest and highest incline on the globe.” By Dr. Brumbach. Mount Manitou also boasted an abundance of hiking trails stretching out by 10 miles in the park, which attracts runners, joggers, hikers, walker and even some Olympic athletes.  

At the base of the Incline you start out at 6,530 ft. of elevation, and if an when you reach the top you will be at a whopping 8,550 ft. of elevation. This is part of the reason why this hiking trail is for the advanced, because the elevation alone can cause you to have headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath among other things. For first time hikers, you definitely want to take it slow and look to the turnaround point.  About ¾ of the way up the Incline intersects with the Barr trail and is used as the “bailout” point for those that can’t or won’t make it to the top. This is seen from below as the false summit, once you have arrived and determine that you can push through, there is still about 300 steps to go before reaching the very top. Upon completed this hiking trail, you can the Barr Trail down for about 2.5 – 3 miles. So be prepared for a workout like no other.

Length: 1 mile up, 2.5 miles down Barr Trail

Trail Difficulty: Advanced

Elevation Gain: 2,000+ in less than one mile

Cost: Free, but you have to pay for parking