Colorado is known for its high peaks as part of the Rocky Mountain Range, but for those looking for a quick yet intense day hike, the Manitou Incline might be just what you are looking for.

Hi, I’m Brianna. I have been traveling full-time for the last four years, and I love sharing my experiences to help empower travelers, especially solo women like myself, to get out and explore. I have spent nine months traveling and living out of my converted bus, and now I am moving between Airbnbs worldwide. 

Going on hikes is one of my favorite things to do while exploring new places, and Manitou Springs was one of my favorite little towns I explored in Colorado. Just an hour and a half drive outside of Denver, this hike locals call ‘the incline’ is just short of a mile; the catch? It is all stairs—2,744 of them. 

I hiked the incline in July, and even arriving at 7:30 am, not only was it 85 degrees, but the trailhead parking lot was full. For these reasons, I’d recommend an early start, and for those unable to park near the trailhead, you can catch the Manitou Springs Free Shuttle to take you from downtown Manitou Springs to the beginning of the hike.

At the beginning of the incline, there are wider distances between each step, making the first stretch a good cardio workout. As the steps get closer together and steeper, they become much more of a leg-burner! Hikers use very different approaches as to how they tackle the stairs. Some sprinted up 100 stairs then rested for several minutes; others made it up a stair and then took a quick breath, stair, breath, stair breath. I fell somewhere in between, but I recommend going on the slower side to keep your heart rate from spiking. 

Pausing as I went, I loved the views of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. I also loved the friendly nature of all the hikers I met on the trail. From other first-timers like myself to plenty of people who hike this beast of a mountain every week, I constantly received encouragement, tips, and even water (bring more than you think! I packed a gallon and finished it before I made it to the top!). It created a strong sense of community. 

I met an older woman coming down who said, “Once you do this once, you won’t stop. It is an incredible hike!” When I got to the top, I couldn’t have agreed more. Like at the end of a marathon, people were hanging out around the last leg of the stairs, cheering others to finish, and the feeling of accomplishment overcame me as I mounted the final steep steps.

It took me an hour and 15 minutes to summit. Then I took the nearly three-mile Barr trail down; it is a nice smooth and partly shaded decline that most everyone uses to find their way back down the mountain. I’d recommend this hike to anyone looking for an intense and rewarding day hike. Here are my tips for having the best incline hike: 

Hydrate: One gallon wasn’t enough for me! More is always better. The climate here is semi-arid and reaches 110 degrees in the summer.

Start early: Avoid the summer heat by starting as early as possible. 

**In the winter, there can be ice and snow on the trail; check out this article for suggestions on how to prepare if you go in this season.

Go Slow: Keep a steady pace to maintain a lower heart rate.

Reserve your spot: Anyone can hike without a cost but must reserve a date and time slot as there is a hiker capacity for each time of day. You can reserve a spot here. 

Monitou Incline was a sweaty, exposed, empowering, and beautifully challenging trek. While I’m unsure if I’ve sweated more on a hike to date, I loved this hike. The camaraderie on the trail, the joy in challenging myself, and the sweeping views of Colorado Springs made it feel like a stairway to heaven.

Story authored by Brianna Rae, a passionate writer, avid traveler, and committed environmentalist. She’s been traveling most of her life, sharing her adventures, insights, and connecting with people across the globe. Brianna loves listening to the sounds of nature, kayaking, hiking, and connecting with new people.

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