It's fall, ya'll!
Epic hikes for leaf peepin'
Talk about a Gold Rush! It’s nearly that time of year to strike it rich with fall colors in Manitou Springs and around the Pikes Peak region. Experts say the first and second week of October will be prime peepin’ time—so lace up your boots and hit the trails with these colorful hikes!
Columbine Trail
- 6.52 miles, roundtrip
Hit the Columbine Trail this season and follow the creek surrounded by changing Fall colors. This trail takes you into the heart of Cheyenne Mountain and can be popular on the weekends—so we suggest setting out early to beat the crowds.
Mueller State Park
- variety of difficulty levels
Listen as the leaves crunch below your feet with over 55 miles of hiking trails throughout Mueller State Park. Outlook Ridge (1.5-mile out-and-back) and Cheesman Ranch Loop (5.7-mile loop) are just two of our favorite hikes for sweeping views and epic displays of golden aspens.
Rainbow Gulch at Rampart Reservoir
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
This trail is everything you could want in a fall hike—tightly packed aspen groves, the crisp smell of evergreens and a beautifully still reservoir reflecting bluebird skies. Pack a picnic to make the trip truly picture perfect, but don’t forget to pack it back in.
life is a highway
Fall drives near Manitou
Follow an old railroad from Manitou to Cripple Creek.
Boreas Pass
Take this dirt road that was once a gold mine route high above Breckenridge.
Pikes Peak Highway
Navigate the switchbacks through the groves of aspens and above the timberline.
