All aboard the reimagined cog railway
We’re calling shotgun on the ride of a lifetime! After extensive renovations and modern upgrades lasting three years, the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway is officially leaving the station.
Reasons to ride
- The journey to the top of Pikes Peak ushers visitors through 4 of the 8 life zones of Colorado
- At 9 miles and reaching 14,115 feet of elevation, the cog railroad is the longest and heighest cog railway in the world
- This June, the railway celebrates 130 years of adventure
- The only thing steeper than the grade is the renovation costs, at $100 million
Photo Credit: Pikes Peak Cog Railway
A history of adventure
Ever heard the phrase “stubborn as a mule“? Well, that’s what it took New York-born inventor Zalmon G. Simmons to finance the cog railway after two miserable days ascending Pikes Peak by mule. The train hosted its first passengers in 1891.
The journey and the destination
Pikes Peak Summit House
We all have that one, quirky aunt that likes to remind us “it’s about the journey—not the destination.” Sounds like she’s never summited Pikes Peak. After a 1-hour and 10-minute ascension to the top of America’s Mountain, passengers will have 40-minutes to take in the views and explore the brand new Summit House—complete with interactive exhibits and panoramic views of the Collegiate and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. Many have called the summit of Pikes Peak the “gateway to heaven,” and the purple mountain even inspired Katharine Lee Bates penning of the poem “America the Beautiful.”
Local's secret: Don't miss out on a world-famous donut (or two) from the Summit House! But take our word for it, you'll want to eat your treat at 14,115 feet. It has something to do with science and the boiling point of water—but they just taste better from up above.
Know before you go
Room with a view
For the best seats in the house, er, train, upgrade to the reserved seating option and choose a window seat on either side.
Dress in layers
The temperature at the top of Pikes Peak is often 30 degrees cooler than it is here in Manitou. Dress in layers and wear comfy shoes.
Park and ride
If the parking lot is full, try parking at Hiawatha Gardens in Manitou Springs—which offers a free shuttle to and from the depot.
Manitou Springs
Your basecamp to adventure
Whether you’re ascending Pikes Peak by railway or descending into the nearby Cave of the Winds, consider Manitou Springs your basecamp to the Wild West.
