Manitou Springs Incline Reviews

As the signs warn, this is an extreme workout at very high altitude that can result in health risks in some populations. We are 27 and 33 y/o who are moderately active without altitude experience. It took us about 2 hrs to get to the top bc we had to take several stops. This is NOT for unfit people nor for small children. Lots of water is a must and a snack if you need it. To descend it took us about 1 hr and 30 min through the walking trail. We reserved at 4pm but in retrospect, if you are inexperienced, it would be best to reserve earlier so you are not rushed by sundown. Overall, it was an AMAZING experience with AMAZING views but definitely not for everyone.

While on vacation we took our niece or actually She took us because she’s way younger to climb. It took us approximately three hours closer to four to climb to the top and then come all the way down to the bottom it was great. The sights were beautiful the weather was amazing we chatted with many people that we saw coming up and down glad to say I survived it I will never go through it again

This is an extreme hike. It’s very steep with some high steps. There is a false summit. But it offers beautiful views and a great sense of accomplishment. We climbed the incline up and then walked the Baar trail down. It took about 2 hours and 40 minutes to get back to our car. The incline was free but it was $10/hr for parking. This hike was worth every step!

Tough hike! Got to the parking lot at 6am on a Saturday and it was filling up quick. Paid $10 to park in the main lot. Was a cold morning but had a great sunrise. Took about an hour to reach the top and around an hour down the 3 mile trail.

A mile high hike, that seems to go forever. It was a great challenge. You must be prepared, pace yourself and take water. We took the back trail down which if you are a nature lover this is for you.

When we arrived at the incline, it was unclear where to go to drop off my family to hike the incline. The guy who was parking cars was completely rude and nasty and a horrible person . He literally yelled at me and said read the sign instead of directing me. I had already passed the sign apparently and didn’t know where to go. It was very confusing. I figured it out after he screamed at me for pulling into the wrong parking spot. Again, terrible employee, but a beautiful place to go.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Incline. Every trip is the same.

*I start off super excited to hike up and just so pumped.
*A quarter way through, I'm regretting waking up early to do this.
*Halfway through, I'm questioning my sanity and feel like this is the worst decision I've made in a week.
*3/4 of the way up, I'm promising myself that I will NEVER DO THIS AGAIN.
*Once I reach the summit, I'm happy, exhausted, my legs are shaking, and there's the 75 year old who passed me half-way up congratulating me on my this victorious moment.
*I run/stumble/fall down Barre trail and go get ice cream.

The very next week, I do it again.

It's a great workout and no matter what shape you're in, you'll still feel accomplished at the end. If you're new to Colorado Springs, maybe wait a few weeks before you try this. I almost passed out my first trip up because I didn't give myself time to acclimate to the new elevation.

Tips:
*Parking is terrible - wake up really early and head out with your headlamp.
*Summertime, there's a free shuttle to the Incline area if you park near the Moroccan restaurant.
*Take water
*Rest along the way if you need to; no one on the Incline will judge you for taking the rest you need
*Don't feel bad if you're passed by a sweet older gentleman, he'll be there near the top to help you up if you get a little stuck!

Great town to park and shop around! We ate lunch at a delicious bakery then walked in and out of interesting shops for a couple hours. Very cute!

Well worth doing but be prepared, think of how touch it might be then understand it will be tougher...!

This was a great experience. It was difficult mostly due to the lack of oxygen at this altitude. (I live at sea level) II think the record is approximately 15 minutes, but it took me an hour to climb to the top. Taking a lot of rest stops allowed me to finish the climb. Bring water to drink and a snack for energy. We took the alternate path back down and enjoyed the scenery and the more causal descent. The whole experience provided a nice sense of accomplishment.

Make sure you are in shape before attempting to climb to the top of this incline. We go to the gym weekly and still were not prepared for the intensity of this climb. We brought 2 waters each and wished we had more. Also, we saw many people stopping and eating trail mix, etc for energy so I wished we had packed that as well. My son and I got burnt on the back of our shoulders because we only applied sunscreen to the front of our bodies so make sure to get your back!

After years of training for the Pikes Peak Ascent, it was nice to finally be back on and up the incline. Thanks to all those volunteers who have turned the incline into a much safer place to climb. It still kicks your butt and it’s not for those who are out of shape, but always a great way to get some exercise.

This was one of the most beautiful sunrise view I have ever experienced. This is not for the out of shape but strong legs will be okay. Slow and steady. The way down Barr Trails has great views also. See more pictures @david.lorenzen

Parked at Irons Springs Chateau(got reservation the day prior)
Had 11:30 start time but arrived a bit early and was allowed to start. Stopped multiple times, sometimes only going 6-10 steps before stopping the altitude caused me so many problems. Friend and I each carried one large Nalgene of water and wore tons of sunscreen. I’m late 50s/friend late 20s-both in good physical shape but I arrived from Midwest less than 48 hours prior. It took us(because of me) just over an hour. I did consider quitting about 2/3 way up because wasn’t feeling great. But SO glad I didn’t. The views were great on the way up. The Barr trail back down was super easy and beautiful with wildflowers. Can’t wait to try this again after acclimating better to altitude. Glad I persisted and went very slowly after the 1/2 way marker. Highly recommend.

There were two components of the hike that need to be overcome. First, starting the hike at an elevation of roughly 6,000 feet (~ 1,828 meters) and you go to roughly 8,000 feet (~ 2,438). The second are the heights of the steps during the incline over a mile (roughly 1.6km), specifically the last half of the incline.

This was a workout - the lungs, quads and hips were woken up. The experience was worth the time (roughly an hour and twenty minutes up). The views were amazing at the top and going down back to base offered majestic views.

We couldn’t get on the Pike’s Peak Cog train as closed for 2018, so thought we would give this a try. The scenery is amazing and the climb can become difficult in parts, but such a great experience.

We only made it to 1800 steps, or the bale out point,- which is actually 2/3 of the way up. We arrived too late to have enough time to climb to the top, and get back down before it got too dark. It can take 3-4 hours to complete the whole climb and descend back down and about 4 miles in total.

Remember to pace yourself and take a drink and snacks to keep the motivation going. The steps do become steeper and higher to climb as you go up.

The bale out walk back down mountain takes longer then the steps themselves, so make sure you’re prepared and have good walking shoes on and lots of loose ground to walk over. Views on way down are great as it zig zags down the mountain.

We will definitely put this on our to do list to complete when next in Colorado.

I highly underestimated this hike! I read all these reviews telling me that it was hard but worth it - which it definitely is - but I wasn't prepared for the trek that it would be. My husband and I keep regularly active in the gym and still had to stop manyyyy times on the way up. A man who works there gave us a couple of pieces of advice - 1. Don't stand and look up because you might lean back and fall. 2. Once you hit the steep, short steps, just crawl. We laughed thinking he was joking, but no. I literally climbed some of those steps like a ladder (no shame). This hike feels INCREDIBLE to complete because you're proud of yourself for what you've accomplished, but definitely pace yourself on the way up and listen to what your body needs, and then also remember that you still have to come back down. There are two ways down - back down the steps, or 4mi downhill switchbacks. Conserve your energy and water to complete your journey and then celebrate yourself when you finish! :)

This is no joke!! Be prepared for a work out!

My daughter and I are both very active but this was not easy! The altitude was a challenge for us but we stopped when we needed to and kept going at a slow and steady pace.

We met lots of great people along the way. Everyone was really encouraging! Thank you locals :)

This is a must do, just be prepared. It's not easy at all, but if you pace yourself and give yourself time, it it possible. It was so satisfying to actually real the top. We were a group of 8, ages 24-57. My 29 year old son is very athletic got to the top in 47 minutes. Others took between 1 hour and 1 hr 40 min. The 2 57 year olds did it in 2 hours. That's why I say give yourself time. Take breaks when you need them. There are bail outs at 400, 1300 and 1800. Once you reach the 1800 you feel like you have to finish. Most of the steps are 'normal' size, there is a period of time they are 12-18" height. Almost makes you want to stop but they do change back to normal size. About half way up, you are only around 500" elevation so the elevation gain is greater on the 2nd half. Think positive and talk yourself through it. It is a 3 mile hike down, so plan for that as well. I think it took us about a total of 4 hours. Currently you also need to make reservations. We parked at the lot in town and took the shuttle, it was quick, not long of a wait.

The infamous Manitou Incline is the physical fitness test piece for locals, visitors, military, and professional athletes. Take it seriously. People die here. Do not hike the Incline on hot days or at the hottest parts of the day. Always carry more water than you think you will need. Bring snacks. There is one place to bail from the Incline. It is 2/3 up the route. This is absolutely the worst place to bring someone that is not already aerobically fit!

Take the free shuttle to the Incline. Unless you arrive at the Barr Trail parking lot by 5am (yes...5am!), you will not get a parking spot.

Took us 2 hours to climb up and 2 hours to hike back down the side trail. Not for the faint at heart or bad knees!

The Manitou incline was something my friend and I decided to do on a whim, but I'm so happy we did it! It was 94 degrees, but we lived, thanks to Colorado's lack of humidity. The views are stunning and the hike down is gorgeous. You will be challenged, but you'll also be rewarded :)

This hike is not for the faint of heart! Definitely do your research on who should and should not participate in this hike and how to safely accomplish it. Best words of wisdom, do not attempt if you are not accustomed to the elevation. Bring water and snacks...take breaks often. It is truly exhilarating if you were able to reach the summit but the views along the way do not disappoint if you can't complete it . I do not advise bringing small children to this home and dogs are not allowed. Good luck!

Slow and steady. Samsung app says it took me 1hr 30 mins, with 1hr 4 mins actually moving. 54 yrs old, moderate shape. Emptied my 2L camelpack on way down Barr trail. Had been in Springs 4 nights prior. Had hiked upper lost man trail at Independence Pass the day before.

Always a challenge. Do not go if not properly prepared. Right shoes, water, traction device if icy, etc.

My 9 year old daughter and I did this climb and it was epic. It was so much fun to encourage each other and make it all the way to the top. The walk down on the trail was a bit longer but enjoyable.

The incline is a must-do if you are somewhat fit. Although it can be tough in some spots, it's very do-able if you pace yourself and come prepared (hiking shoes, water, snacks, proper clothes). The view from the top is incredible and the trail down the mountain is beautiful. It takes about 2-4 hours, so a great morning or afternoon activity.

I am an avid runner, hiker and stair climber. The Incline is the pinnacle in the United States for steep hiking / outdoor stair climbing. The Incline, the Barr Trail and the area around it are well maintained by the Incline Friends (https://inclinefriends.org).

This place is amazing, it doesn't look like that intense of a hike, but once you get going it sneaks up on you. The people in the area were so nice and positive. There are spots on the way up to turn off and go back down. Going up is a literal straight incline...but going down is a dirt trail through the woods.

Our family of seven made it to the top of this climb. We are from Chicago area and used to sea level elevation. Our 12, 11, 9 and 5 year olds all hiked to the top with no assistance. We took turns carrying our 10 month old in a hiking style backpack carrier. It was a challenge no doubt but we finished in just over 2 hours. We took the Barr trail down for a very scenic and much easier walk down. We did have to give occasional piggy back rides to the 5 year old 😅. Super amazing experience as a family with a huge reward of accomplishment all around.

Views are phenomenal! Hike is very intense and for experienced hikers! Check weather first. Worth the work out it takes to get to the top.

2768 steps up! This sounded very intimidating to me, but I thought this would be memorable and that is absolutely what it was. I’m in descent shape and early 50s, and I’d say this was hard but not terrible. My husband and I would try to go 100 steps at a time and take a break. Halfway up, we were stopping more frequent. But honestly it’s nice to sit and enjoy the view as well at all the different heights. It took my husband and I exactly 2 hours to get to the top and my 2 sons (19/22) 1 hour and 20 minutes. So glad we did this. On the way back down, it’s a 3.5 miles trek down, fairly easy. We went in late May so no snow on the ground. Was a beautiful day and wore shorts and short sleeves. Saw people in long pants and they looked hot. You’ll want to put on sunscreen especially on the back of your legs and arms. If you are still unsure, there are a few places to stop and go back down if you change your mind. I’d say it’s worth doing if you’re in reasonably descent shape.
Also bring plenty of water. We put electrolytes in our water.

This was fun but difficult. Plenty of places to step off the steps onto the side and catch your breath or enjoy the view. Please be considerate of those coming up behind you and do not stop on the actual steps. If the steepness gets to you then do not hesitate to do a bear crawl up a few flights, you wont be the only one doing it. Bring water and start early in the day when it isn't as hot.

My wife and I did this while we were on a hiking vacation in Colorado. When you see it from a distance, it's very intimidating. Once you get close, it doesn't look so bad, but it will definitely kick your butt. It's not for the faint of heart. I don't recommend this for anyone that isn't at least partially fit. Once you get to the top, you get an immense sense of accomplishment. And the view is pretty spectacular. There is a 4 mile switchback trail on the backside of the mountain so it's much easier to get down. I never buy travel/vacation shirts, but I made an exception in this case!

The incline climbs 2,000 vertical feet in a single mile of linear distance. That's a wicked grade, especially if you're not acclimated to the altitude in the first place. It's a challenge you'll look back on with great satisfaction. Most people will take the Barr trail down rather than go back down the steps. For those who decide they can't make it the whole way, there's a midway bail out point onto Barr about 2/3 of the way up.

I absolutely love the Incline, it is not really a tourist attraction, more of a place to push yourself and see what you are made of. But I do recommend the incline for anyone willing to challenge themselves and do something locals do on a daily basis. The incline is not easy, I think it is one of the more challenging workouts anyone can do. You hike 2744 steps with a 2000 ft elevation gain in a short distance, that is intense. The beginning starts off somewhat consistent but as you hit the half way point, the steps gets taller with less distance in between. Because of the inconsistency I recommend not jogging down afterwards, instead take the trail down. After hiking the incline a three mile jog downhill is a breeze! Once you get to the top, it is very rewarding and you get a great view of the mountains and city as your trophy! In the end listen to your body, don't over do it, dress appropriately, and most importantly have fun and embrace the challenge!

So my husband and I decided to give this a try. Our teen didn't want to attempt it so she sat on the bench at the bottom to wait for us. First of all, we found a place to park and selected a 3 hour time spot, costing us $15, then we walked to the start of the incline. The walk was uphill and we were already huffing and puffing just walking from the parking lot! We both exercise regularly, but we aren't at all used to the altitude. We started the climb around noon. It was hot out that day and we should have known better. I'd recommend starting this first thing in the morning while its still cool. We had to take several stops along the way and we both were checking our heart rates via our apple watches. Our heart rates never dropped below 150 bpm even after stopping for a rest! After about 30 minutes and only reaching just over 500 steps, we decided to turn around and go back. I didn't want our daughter waiting at the bottom forever, especially since we couldn't see her down there anymore, and it was hot and we were struggling. Even going down was a challenge to not slip and fall on the loose gravel! This is one tough mother! I'd love to go back one day and give it another try, but I'd change a few things. I'd leave the teen at home, bring more water, go early in the morning, allow myself more time to acclimate to the altitude, and make sure I had enough time to take my time. Many people say there are plenty of places to step off the steps onto the side, but those areas are quite narrow and at an incline, so I personally didn't feel like there were great areas to stop and take a breather. Plus, there aren't very many areas in the shade, so our decision to try it at high noon was not smart. It was a decision we made on a whim. I'm glad we did turn around and not live to regret our decision. The picture at the beginning of the climb of the paramedics rescuing someone that attempted the climb resonated in my mind the entire 500+ steps that we took and that's another reason we both decided to turn around. The sign indicated if you had a medical problem, it could take paramedics hours to get to you! Hey, there's no shame in turning around...at least we tried. Maybe one day we will come back and try it again.

Me and my family went up The Manitou incline in glorious sunshine and 11 degrees celcius on 30.12.23 when we were there on Christmas vacation. There was no snow when we were there. A fantastic and challenging experience. We put on the ice bites at the end when there was some ice and slippery at the top. We took many breaks and spent 1.75 hours up to the top and 1.75 hours down the Barr trail. Beautiful landscape. We brought a lot of drinks and some fruit. That was enough for us. I would like to do the trip several times. It is a good idea to be used to the altitude in Colorado Springs before making the trip.

This town is one I always have to stop at when in the Springs.
The food is always amazing and the shops are very unique.
Love the apothecary.
Family friendly very hippy vibe relaxing.

Yes, it is definitely a strenuous hike/climb! However it is well worth it! Listen to your body and heart! Take it at a pace you can handle and you can make it. My husband is much more fit than myself, needless to say he made it much quicker than I did and enjoyed the view from the top while waiting on me. Our kids (20 year olds) finished between us. It was a great experience that we all recommend. We came down the trail which is longer but much better for my knees. Bring water and dress appropriately. Consider the time up and the way back down when you leave so you’re not hiking down in the dark (unless that’s what you like).

This is the steepest incline that i have ever walk. It is an awesomely struggle. Obviously is not for people that have heart issues.

Recommendation: drink enough water days in advance. Eat and go to the bathroom before starting the incline. I drank 2 liters of water. Don’t over dress and take it easy .

While I'm sure the incline experience is strenuous for all who attempt it, each person's experience is unique. My 3 sons (ages 11, 12, 15), and I all made it up the incline.

Where they were able to make it up the incline with limited rests, around the 1/2 way point I began having to pace myself. Take 40 steps, rest for a minute and a half in the shade.

As I began finding my resting pace, I began seeing the same 4 groups of people exerting themselves and pushing up the incline. As we would leapfrog each other during the other group's resting portion of the climb, we began encouraging each other up the climb. People from all parts of the country, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, encouraging each other with a common goal.

If the Incline becomes too difficult, at 1700 steps in there is a sign to notify that there are "approx 1000 steps left to the top", there is also an option to opt down the incline by taking an hour path down the hill. I continued up the hill in pursuit of my boys.

The view from the top was the view down the stairs, and over the horizon. It is a beautiful view, it's not nearly as exciting as seeing my boys waiting for me at the top of the climb.

I would do it again, but I'd most likely do a bit of aerobic exercise prior to doing it again.

My husband and I did the incline on a day with beautiful, relatively cool weather and a great view. We live in Denver so the altitude was not an issue for us, and we both work out regularly. In full disclosure, it took us about 4.5 to get up the incline, resting as often as we needed to along the way, and resting a bit at the top. We did not rest much on the trail back down, as it was mostly downhill, but the trail down took 2 hours alone. Personally I found this frustrating because I had not read that it would take so long, as most people only focused on the time it took them to them to get up when posting opinions and reviews.

So here I am telling you to brace yourself for a long day! There is a "bail out point" a little over halfway up, where you can walk a short path through the woods which connects to the trail that leads you back down. My husband and I took a stroll through the town of Manitou afterward, treating ourselves to a good meal and some fudge!

Please listen to your body! This is not a tourist attraction. It is a serious test of what your body can handle. Make sure you have plenty of water and some protein bars handy. Dress in layers. Do not compare yourself to anyone else on the incline. Take is slow and stop every 100 steps or just keep moving but don’t overdo it. A rescue team isn’t cheap. The signs in the pic below are at the bailout which is 2/3 the way up-just below the false summit.

Fun hike. I needed lots of breaks and water but I had only been at this altitude for 1 day prior and I’m out of shape. Enjoyed this though, particularly the views on the Barr Trail going down. My legs hurt after but not bad. My knees hurt worse. Still, a quite enjoyable and very Colorado activity for our trip. Loved it.

We spent the weekend in CO Springs & decided impromptu to do the ‘incline’ on Sunday mid morning! The biggest factor for us was the heat!

We both turned 65 this year, but are fairly physically fit to do this type of activity. We’ve done lots of hiking, biking & hubby has 100+ fourteener climbs. This is not for the ‘faint hearted’ or if you have been out partying the night before. I am deathly afraid of heights, so I could not look back/down until I got to the mid point 1800 steps & then to the top 2768 steps! It was awesome! The Barr Trail walk down was fairly easy & has fabulous views!

Hubby did the climb in 56 mins & I trailed behind @ 66 mins. We took it slowly from the start & used the same pace throughout the climb, stopping only once for a few mins. This cadence strategy works much better for us as opposed to taking multiple rests & then starting up again. Right before midway point, it gets quite steep. There is a ‘bail out’ trail right @ step 1800 if you decide you cannot make it. After step 1800 it continues to be steep for approx. the next 300 steps, then the climb is gradual until about the last 50 steps.

We were a little shocked @ the number of people we observed walking down the steps instead of taking the walking trail down. Looks quite dangerous to walk down those steps
& website says it’s not allowed, but people did it.

Also, please DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG on this climb! We were delighted to see no one had their dog with them. Locals told us that 5 dogs died so far this summer doing the ‘incline’! INSANE!

A great adventure. I climbed the stairs when I was younger. Don't think I could do it again. Town of Manitou is delightful.

Lovely experience! Bear, our guide was knowledgeable, kind, considerate & humorous. He intentionally kept everyone involved in the conversation to make sure all were having a good time. He had good photo tips too. We took a lot of pictures. The jeep had windows which were nice especially at the high elevation. Another company had open air jeeps, brrr. Manitou Springs Adventures is top notch. We were given unlimited ice cold water, trail mix and granola. I had no idea how important these items were needed to offset the affects of the elevation but believe me they were. Bear also gave us dining tips. We went to his favorite Italian restaurant in Old Town, delicious. Thanks Bear! Check out this company...you will be glad you did.

I knew this was going to be a challenge but it was harder than I thought! totally worth it though just for sense of accomplishment and for the views on the way up and back down ( via a 3 mile trail )
It’s cool when you’re in town if manitou and can look up and see the incline knowing you climbed it!!
Would recommend leaving plenty of time to get there and use the shuttle from the town as there is very little parking! Also try to go on a cloudy day... there is very little shade on the climb up.

Its less than one mile but its a straight incline! Make sure you bring water and your camera for the top. Lovely views. You can take a gradual hike down the mountain (about 2 miles) down, it’s steep going down the incline. Don’t forget the air is thinner up there! Pay to park. Close to downtown manitou. I recommend watching the YouTube video on the history of the incline! Very interesting

This is a challenging hike. Its basically a long, steep staircase with a great view. I never get tired of it. I recommend doing this hike early am in the summer.

The Incline is the Ultimate mental and physical challenge. It is simply the best workout I've ever done and incredibly addicting if you don't mind a little suffering. It's worth it!

I always park in town and walk up. I find it's a perfect warmup for your legs and lungs before beginning this hike which is unrelenting and merciless from the start. You have to be warmed up.

The main thing to remember is to breathe deep and especially nasal breathing which not only forces air deep into your lungs, it relaxes you at the same time.

Take your time. Listen to your body and take breaks as needed.

OMG..This was not easy....but when you reach the top...you really feel a sense of accomplishment!! I am from Michigan..55 years old..and have hiked all over this country...but this was definitely one of the harder hikes..(thin air is brutal if you aren't acclimated) I've done. Go early..bring LOTS of water...pace yourself...and celebrate at step 2678!!...The Barr trail on the way down is nice also!!

The altitude + thousands of steps = a fantastic workout/hike. But the view and pictures at the top are all worth it :) Go do it!

As I am nearing my 70th birthday, a bucket list wish was to conquer the Manitou Springs Incline! Reservations are required and very easy to acquire online. When I first saw the incline from our car, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it, but it was an absolutely fabulous adventure. Just tackle it one step at a time, one section at a time, take all the brakes you need, and don't get fooled by the false top! Out of our group of 8, the fastest to the top took 1 hour. The rest of us all came in under 2 hours! The 3 1/2 mile hike down while easier on the lungs was harder on my toes! What a memorable & challenging family adventure!! Just Do It!

Manitou Incline was a real challenge for me , which I managed to take up.
I didn't expect such a difficult climb. Some steps are gigantic while others, on the contrary, are extremely narrow.
This path should not be taken alone, unless you are a seasoned athlete (risk of falling due to the slope which is sometimes 68% and irregular walks). It is necessary to be well informed about the level of difficulty before starting

This was the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life but so worth the time and effort that it took to make it to the top!

Great Hike up the Manitou Incline. Every time I visit Colorado Springs, the Manitou calls my name. I am a 50+ overweight woman and it takes me a while to get to the top but I don’t give up. Last year it took me 3 hours to get to the top. (I took a lot of breaks). This year it took me 2 hours. Hopefully when I go next year it will only take me 1 hour. My sister and I started this hike at 6am (it only took her 45 min to get to the top). I came down the switchback and was done by 9:30am. I love this hike, especially meeting so many wonderful people along the way.

This hike will humble you. Take plenty of water if it is a sunny day. Don't look up and just keep steping. Took us 1 hour 24 minutes to the top. We came down the Barr Trail to save our knees.

The trail up the Manitou Incline starts near the parking lot, but you can see the Incline as you approach Manitou Springs. It’s a line break The appears to go straight up the mountain.

I use the Incline to cut about 2 miles off the Barr Trail when I hike up to Barr Cabin and the to the peak at Pike’s Peak.

As I’m carrying a heavy backpack, it’s not a race for me, but a slow and steady walk up the Incline. At 68, I can do this without any stops along the way.

I start early in the morning, around 6 AM. There are always 50-100 people, runners, military, Olympic trainers, and backpackers trekking up at he same time. Some in incredible shape can run up and down while others struggle to make it stopping often to the side of the wooden railroad ties that act as steps.

The view from the top is beautiful. And with endorphins from the hike entering your bloodstream, it’s quite an enjoyable feeling of accomplishment. You can make this whatever challenge you wish simply by going faster or stopping less. Give it a try, then treat yourself to a reward for a the achievement.

I do this once a year while I'm on vacation, it is always the highlight of my trip! They have re-done a lot of it so now it is easier to do I feel. The stairs are numbered now every 100, so it helps you know how many you have left! The barr trail to go back down is fun also! It takes me about an hour and 10 min to go up and get back down, great workout ! There is a free shuttle from town, but I pay the $10 to park, it's worth it to me basically for time ..I'm always on a strict time frame.

this is a strenuous hike. it took me us 2 hours to go up & 1.5 hours going down bar trail. bring plenty of water, 2 bottlers per person. the view at the top isn't much nice than along the way but you'll still feel rewarded once you reach the top. there was a cool wintery draft at the top that felt so good.

2,744 steps up a 1,900 foot-high mountain:
That’s what the Manitou Incline is. Reasonably challenging and made more so by the inconsistency in the “stairs” (just logs). Some are more like half steps. Some are double-stacked logs and some are other heights. It makes it hard to get into a rhythm while climbing. However, there’s no time limit and ample opportunities to step to the side and rest on the way up. Any healthy person can make it up eventually (although most people on the incline were under 40).

A surprising challenge was getting down. You are supposed to take the winding Barr trail rather than the stairs down. This hike has some steep dirt sections. Tennis shoes were the right choice going up over hiking boots, but something with grip would have been better going down. It was 47 minutes up for me and 90 going down. There are some excellent views along the way, though.

The website references reservations, but none are required. Parking is located in a lot past Manitou but there are free shuttles to and from the lot.

Family was out to drop our daughter off to the USAFA. “Hey dad, let’s do the incline!.” I didn’t read about it, but was told it was about a mile and 2000 feet of elevation change. The three mike hike down was conveniently left out. Regardless, it was a great time with wonderful views. It was difficult for me and am in shape. Not sure if the altitude was a factor or if I’m not in as good of shape as I think.

This was a tough hike. It's almost 2,800 steps. But, the view and the pictures are amazing. Definitely, train for it. You might need 4-6 hours round-trip so make sure you put enough time on your parking meter and don't plan another event right after this one. My calves hurt for a few days after this hike. Take plenty of water and snacks. Lastly, wear some good hiking or running shoes.

was one of the best climbs I've done. Worth every step along the way. Recommend you take a side path on the way down for some variety.

We almost skipped this stop in favor of other hiking ventures, but it turned out to be the perfect mid-afternoon activity. Don't skip it ... unless you are not fit! It should be on a bucket list. We met a lady who was 52 and attempting to do it once each week this year. A nice goal! Plan to take the Barr Trail down. It is unsafe and unwise to go down the steps, and Barr is beautiful.

Awesome!! I thought I was in pretty good shape (44/F), but this climb was no joke. My GPS measured .98 from the parking lot to the top. Took exactly 1 hour. Then a beautiful 2.7 back down to parking lot on the Barr trail. Definitely recommend for anyone who loves the outdoors and a challenge!!

We went in August and I expected the air to get cooler at the top of the incline. It DID NOT. Wear sunscreen and shorts !! Half way up the incline, we were regretting our decision to hike up the 2700+ stairs. That all changed once we reached the top. The view is insane. Bring plenty of water and then double it. We went through all of our water by the top and then had zero on the hike back down. Overall, spectacular!!

We love to do the incline especially in the snow ! It’s May 12.... it snowed ... we drive for 5 hours monthly just to climb these crazy steps ... all 2768 of them !

What an awesome workout! You just go straight up for an entire mile and it's a killer on the legs and booty but so worth it. I've done it a few times and I can normally finish in about 52 minutes. They do have a place for you to stop halfway if you can't make it.

Be sure to bring cash with you for parking because parking around here can get really bad! I would suggest parking far away so you don't have to deal with it.

Enjoy!

O my goodness...this is an astounding hike!!!! The views get better as you go up and it's so fun! There's places to take breaks and doggies are welcome!

1. It is very difficult. It is harder then Mt Bierstadt 14er.
2. It was a great climb, but people should not hike together in groups of 4 or more due to the steps narrowness.
3. We visited Nov 20. The steps were icy to a point of being dangerous of falling. If the ice doesn't melt (which is unlikely to happen until late spring), where spikes or climbing shows.
4. The trail down was very dangerous. Too many people were climbing done the stairs.

The views are incredible. I plan to do this again when the ice melts.

This was a highlight for me as it was challenging and I feel as though I really accomplished something. For those coming from sea level, wait a few days to acclimate and you will have a better experience. In the summer, try to get there as early as possible. I began at 6:30 am and would not have wanted to attempt it later. Views from the top are great. The Barr trail down was beautiful and allowed me to recover from the climb.

What a great way to challenge yourself in the morning before a family day out! Kids slept in and I got in my workout, while enjoying an AMAZING view! How beautiful! I’ll decinitely do this again when I return the trip!....almost returned in the same week!

It was a lot of fun for the younger group, but not so much for us older ones. Beautiful views all the way around.

The instructions on the reservation email were great. Be sure to arrive at the Hiawatha parking at least 30 min before your start time. You’ll need to pay for parking, catch the free shuttle that will drop you off at the COG railroad, and walk 1/4 mile before you get to the entrance. I do wish they had signage to tell you where the entrance was though. From the shuttle drop off, you have to walk down a block & make a left turn up a slope that will eventually have a sign pointing to the incline start. Tip: The COG railroad people will yell at you if you cut through their private parking lot, so I recommend using the road.

The hike itself was super enjoyable!

Tell me I can’t, and I’ll show you I CAN! So glad I accepted this challenge along with my 19 year old daughter. Our reservation was for 11:30am. Perfect time to be done before the sun starts setting(4).The temperature goes down as you climb UP. Dress in layers. We allowed ourselves about 5 days to acclimate to the elevation. We ate a protein rich breakfast, packed nuts, jerky, bananas, and turkey sandwiches for snack and lunch. Thank goodness my husband ran to Walmart that morning to purchase me a walking stick! I highly recommend using one. Once we finished, we headed right over to Twin Bears to purchase our I SURVIVED the Incline t-shirts.😂

This place was five stars of hell and challenge. This was the first adventure I had planned on a two week long road trip with my six and sixteen year old, figuring we’d want to be fresh and ready to conquer what we so lovingly called stair mountain. I like to think of myself as a pretty active person and my kids have crazy energy but coming from Ohio the altitude difference and the craziness of this place got the best of us. Remember doing mountain climbers in gym class, that’s basically what was going on when we quit because the steps were getting so steep. We made it up to 1800 before we took the tap out trail back down. This was tough to accept defeat but we had other reservations and it just wasn’t going to happen. I am definitely going to try this again one day and next time I will get to the top!!!

My son and I did this hike while the wives took the Barr Trail around to meet us at the top of the Incline.

Obviously, you need to be in reasonably good shape. It long and steep. Don't start out too fast. Take it slow and steady and you'll do better. Be sure to take your own water and snacks. There are no services (bathrooms, etc.) at the top.

The Incline is well maintained and the folks working the bottom/entrance were friendly. THERE IS NO COST FOR THIS.

There are restrooms and portapotties at the bottom.

*** RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED *** I don't know where you do this, but you need to make reservations ahead of your planned hike if at all possible. If your time is not available and it's not a crowded day, you should be able to walk up and go (which is what we did). For each time slot they said they allow 45 people to go up. I'm not sure if this is different when there is no COVID. There appear to be a lot of folks who make reservations and never show. So, if you can get your time slot beforehand, you'll be sure to be able to climb it. If you don't get your time slot, I suspect you'll still be able to go at the time you want or very close.

*** It also seems the parking is tied to the reservations, which is why you'll want them if you can get them.

We moved to the area a ew months ago, and this has been on my bucket list. I’m 52, in relatively good shape, and was able to do it in :56. Going down we took Barr Trail—the idea of going down those steps terrifies me and is bad for your knees. Enjoy the trail down. I took 20oz of water but would have liked a little more. We started at 10:30, and it was a little warmer, but we rested every now and then. Beware the False Summit! Also, it’s 2,700 steps, and every 100 is painted on a step so you can gauge your progress. Very cool thing to do! Parking was $10, and clean potties in the lot.

Be prepared for a 2000 ft. elevation gain in 1 mile. That is very steep. There are 2744 step (railroad ties) to the top. Start at over 6000 ft. and end up at over 8000 ft. Starts out gradually but gets steeper the further you go. Portions require hands and feet as if going up a ladder. Once at the top, take the 4 mile swithchback trail to the bottom. Take plenty of water and take breaks as needed. I suggest you park at the free shuttle lot in town and take the shuttle to the incline. Parking at the Incline is expensive. GOOD LUCK!!!

Small town with lots to see, places to eat, but be sure to pay the parking along the street! Did not find many galleries but lots of gift shops and tourist t-shirt places.

Great challenge as a workout. Doesn't matter how good of shape you are in, this will challenge you. But great sense of accomplishment when you reach the top. Not as demanding as a half marathon, but much more than a 10k.

They are working on one of the parking lots near the base, so the parking situation is even tighter than normal this summer. We were super lucky to find a parking spot close to the bottom where an early riser had already been up and down and was leaving before 8 a.m. on a weekday. It's a tough, tough climb to the top. It can be done in under an hour (35-45 minutes) if you're in extremely good shape. I'm in pretty good shape and local (meaning used to the elevation) and it took me over an hour. It will kill your knees if you are prone to having issues with them at all because the "steps" can be well over a foot tall in some places. Plan at least an hour to come down unless you're running down because the trail down the mountain is over 3 miles long.

The incline is a crazy hike just over a mile of the side of a steep Trail. Going up hits the back of your leg is coming down hits the front with an amazing view in the middle of the trip at the top.

The entire journey up the stairs it seems as if they will never end. In some places the climb seems almost vertical and at the altitude many breaks are required even for people that consider themselves 'in shape' but don't let that scare you from this experience. There is a leap off point for those that wish to not continue up to the summit. The view from the top is pretty breathtaking but also comes with that feeling of accomplishment for hiking up all the stairs.

We took the free shuttle to the entrance and still had a little trouble finding our way in. The way finding Signage needs to be improved. The incline consists of nearly 3,000 railroad tie type steps. Ascending at a rather dramatic incline (thus the name). We are fit 50 somethings who run, bike and workout. However a combination of the altitude, incline and duration make a trip to the top too challenging for all but the most serious fitness fanatics. We observed 3 first aid calls in our 3 hours there. We opted for the trail (instead of the incline steps) at the halfway point (which again was not marked well) to begin our decent. As opposed to the Incline, The trail was great fun and I highly recommend it. Much better views, more interesting scenery and shaded pathways. Note, you can take the trail up or down.

The Incline is a great place to go if you want to skip the Stair Stepper at Planet Fitness for a day! To say it’s a walk in the park would be farther from the truth than asserting that ultimate fighting was designed for octogenarians.

I had to walk about a mile and a half from downtown Manitou Springs to reach the Incline entrance. Once there, I looked up at the daunting series of wooden steps leading up the mountainside and ultimately decided it wasn’t worth the wear and tear on my body, especially alone. Unlike hikes in the woods or trails meandering up a mountain, The Incline is literally straight up. There’s no suspense, no discovery, no escape. It’s a physical challenge, and for many, it’s a great opportunity to exercise and socialize. Had Cherry Wonderdog been with other canines, I would have been more inclined to “accomplish the task” together.

We live at the beach on the east coast so the hike up the incline definitely kicked our butt! It was worth it though for our family of four (two teenaged daughters). Great sense of accomplishment when we made it back in one piece! Pace yourself and take lots of breaks if your not used to the altitude. Bring shoe traction cleats. We did without them but would have definitely preferred having them.

Took about 3 hours round-trip and was a great "bite size" exposure to mountain hiking! The view at the top was good, and the side trail back to the base was in some beautiful country. I would only do this on a cool day.

Be sure to put on sunscreen your back with get a lot of face time with the sun!!
The people we met and talked with on this hike were amazing, starting with the parking attendant. You will need to pay to park but the hike itself is free.
We saw online that you need to make reservation to hike but we did not have to do that. You can walk down the stairs but I would recommend taking the path down the back side. Very beautiful also. It is ok to rest!

Man this was intense but such an accomplishment. I felt so proud of myself. It took 2 hours for us to get up and I took a ton of breaks and went very slow. My body hurt the next day but I am glad I did it. The views were incredible and so many areas to journey through once up there.

Definitely something to cross off your list. Be prepared with lots of water and good shoes.

My other photos were too big to attach:/

We came in a couple days ago from south Florida, hiked the incline this morning. We expected our legs to burn out before anything but they didn’t at all. We were gassed more from the elevation but had no issues getting up the incline. We work out regularly and both finished just over the hour mark. Aiming for a sub hour next trip! Was a great hike, definitely challenging but totally worth it! The hike down the trail had some gorgeous views!

Manitou Incline is an exciting and unusual means for those who are seeking physical activity opportunities. It is an amazing repurposed use of an abandoned incline rail track. The incline up Pikes Peak mountain comprising of 2,768 steps made from rail road ties provides scenic views of Manitou Springs as one goes up the stairs. The website indicates there are 2,744 steps on the incline, but at the top the sign indicates 2,768. Be aware that parking space is very limited at the base of the incline, so best to take the Manitou Springs shuttle from the town. But, the signs for the incline are not too clearly marked from where the shuttle stops. The incline does not start at the Barr Trailhead which is the trailhead for Pikes Peak; the Incline start is a short walk down from the Barr Trailhead.

The incline stairs are in remarkably good condition. It looks like the city is always keeping it up to date with maintenance/improvements. There are several drainage channels that run across the incline. The channels are covered with expanded metal grating. When I went on the incline, it rained lightly for a while, and the grating was slippery, and required extra care to get by them. The ascent is marked every 100 steps, so it is easy to keep track of one’s climb. At the top of the incline is what looks like remnants of old infrastructure. There is a trail that goes further up the mountain, but I did not go on that trail. Unfortunately, there were no signs or any information on that trail.

A sign at the top suggests not going backdown the incline for the return trip, instead take the Barr Trail, which is what I did. I completely agree with this idea. Though the return is longer (four miles), the trail is very well maintained, and provides beautiful scenery on the side of a canyon. Beautiful flowers were in bloom in June.

Climbing the Manitou Incline is a must-do and thoroughly enjoyable physical activity item in Manitou Springs.

This challenging climb was upgraded last year with erosion control, new timber, etc. which has done much to improve the climbing experience. The free shuttle from the free parking lots is also an excellent addition. Check out the city's website regarding this attraction as that is the best place to find information. Give yourself plenty of time, bring plenty of water, maybe a snack, layer your clothing, and bring sunscreen.

I have wanted to try climbing this since reading about it on a blog. I am so glad I did It! Make sure to bring plenty of water and plan on taking your time, especially if you are not used to the higher altitude. This climb is not for the faint of heart or unfit. It is challenging and requires some level of endurance. There is a bailout point about 3/4 of the way up at Barr Trail if you can't make it to the to the top. The hike down the hill on Barr Trail (about 4 miles) offers beautiful views. My only warning is that if you are afraid of heights or of falling off, this may not be the activity for you. My husband made it to the bailout point at Barr Trail but could not climb the steeper steps to the top due to his fear of heights.

Wow! What a hike! We made it halfway and we were proud of that! Being from Missouri with low altitude and not much incline hiking experience, that was quite an accomplishment for us. The views were spectacular. Make sure to stay well hydrated and take lots of breaks if needed! It's totally worth a try while you're in town. We made it to 1300 and took the escape trail. The escape trail was a beautiful hike as well.

This is a serious challenge and as a sea level type it was even harder. An amazing challenge and a lot of fun. There is a bailout point just over half way. Parking is 10 dollars.

Recent reservations have improve the path tremendously. Stairs are a different climb but great exercise. Definitely a feeling of accomplishment when you finish. People are always cheering you on and offering support. Wish I could do it more often.

If you can get dropped off at the entrance, it lowers the cost and avoids the COG railway congestion.

Enjoyable but a definite challenge, even if you are in shape. Great views from the top. Note that the path walk down takes a good hour+ so factor that into your timing.

You can see the line for this climb several miles away slicing through the mountain. This is one heck of a cardio workout (rated extreme hike). Give yourself time to reach the top. The feeling you get when you reach it is pure satisfaction. The views of the city on top are beautiful. There are side trails for the walk down (or just in case you don't make it to the top). It's a free hike, but you need to make a reservation online.

Vagrancy is a real problem. Especially at 7 minute spring gazebo. Vagrance pretty much take over the gazebo day and night. Not supposed to be any camping in the park but they sleep in the gazebo all night.

We did this hike with an 11, 9, and 5 year old. They all made it up and enjoyed it. I am not going to lie the hike is hard and the altitude really gets to you. Take your time and take breaks when needed. Also, we parked in Hiawatha Gardens and took the free shuttle which drops you off near the incline. We paid for parking and believe we spent most of the day in Manitou Springs so it cost around 20 all day to park. The hike down the Barr Trail was long. If you are going to do this plan for 4-5 hours.

We spent the afternoon completing this incline. We came from below sea level (NOLA) without any training. It took us 2 hours to climb up the top which was very rewarding. We took our time climbing up and took tons of rest breaks. We went down the mountain on the 4 mile Barr trail. This trail was switchbacks and was easy to complete. I would def recommend this hike even if your unprepared: just take your time.

If you’re in any kind of decent shape at all you’ve got to give this a shot. Definitely not east and I can’t stress enough the need to stretch beforehand, drink plenty of water before and during the climb, and take breaks as needed. You will get passed many times but that doesn’t matter. Focus on one step at a time and achieve your goal of hitting the summit. Be sure to make your reservations ahead of time, too. We parked in the Hiawatha parking area and took the free shuttle over to the Incline. Don’t be afraid. We are both 61 and made it up in about 85 minutes.

One of the hardest adventures our family did, but we did complete this free hike. Bring plenty of water on this quest and rest as needed, especially if you bring kids.

This was the 2nd time that I have hiked the Manitou Incline! This time I brought my husband and 10 year old daughter in addition to my 14 year old son and I who had hiked it together 2 years ago. Go early, bring plenty of water and challenge yourself! Highly recommend for those who want a unique challenge!

This is not for the weary or little ones. 99% of what you see on here is accurate.

There are some spots to pause in the shade, perfect chances to get a snack and drink up and continue.

Ideally—get a reservation early. If the only time you can reserve is between 10-3 I personally suggest you don’t go and look for a different day so you can get on the trail early UNLESS it’s gonna be overcast and cool. Yes there is shade, buts off the steps…all of the steps are in the sun.

I am 50 and run 1/2 marathons around 2 hours, give or take. I made it up in 1hr and 17 min, with many breaks.

The way down we started on the trail but got back on the stairs just to get down quicker.

Absolutely one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. My husband and I are fitness people. We completed the incline in about 45 minutes. It was so difficult and breaks were a necessity. However, what an accomplishment!! When we reached the top, it was exhilarating. A must do!

What a great workout with tons of friendly visitors!!! Highly recommend coming back on the trail for a different perspective rather than using the stairs down.

If you enjoy hiking and need to add to your bucket list then this is a must to do. Hard work up and even taking the trail down was loaded with great views. We had our own pep rally from people we had never met. It was fun, but it is a very difficult climb. Be prepared physically.

Challenging climb, many resting places to the side. TAKE YOUR TIME! We did not give up and are happy, as the views via the climb and the Barr Trail exit were breathtaking.

So it's basically a staircase built into the side of a mountain, and if that sounds grueling, trust me, it's even worse than you are imagining. It's about a mile-long hike, but at a 45 degree angle...the elevation change from where you start to where you finish is something like 2000 feet, and there are over 2700 steps to climb. In some places it is even steeper than 45 degrees. When you are driving into Manitou Springs, you can see it from quite a distance, and it doesn't look too bad...then you get to the base and are looking up and you realize this is gonna hurt...and it does. Your knees will be weak, your lungs will be gassed, your heart will be pounding...but when you get to the top, you will realize none of that matters because you did it. The course is extremely challenging, but if you take your time, you can do it.

Not for the faint hearted its definitely a bucket list item. Not really for kids, they should go to Castle Rock Incline, smaller and more kid friendly. This manitou one is a beast, a mile up, uneven steps and spacing, some run, most walk and find places to rest. Most people do it if in shape in 45 minutes to 2 hours just up then another hour or more down. But its worth it, even if you never do it again. There is a step out from where it goes 41% incline to 68% incline if necessary. No carry outs so make sure your in shape. Loved it

You have to do this!! What an accomplishment!!! Take more water than you think you need! We loved that the steps are labeled every 100 steps. We are from WI, so the elevation change was a challenge, but we just took lots of stops, maybe only 30-40 seconds just to catch our breath.
Views in the top are beautiful! The Barr Trail going down was beautiful as well. So glad we did it!!
Go early if you can, avoid the heat from the sun!

Challenging but doable - take it slow and easy. My husband and I (ages 55 and 58) did this hike and while we had been worried that it would be too hard for us, we found it to be challenging but doable. We came from sea level and gave ourselves almost 2 days to get acclimated to the altitude before we attempted the climb. Reservations were easily made on-line. Parking was expensive but the lot was easy to find per the instructions on our reservations and the free metro to the base of the incline was great. There are bathrooms at the base of the incline, which I would suggest you use before you head up. It took us just under 2 hours to hike up with many stops along the way. I drank two 40 ounce bottles of water (perhaps I drank too much....), and we stopped for one granola bar type snack on the way up. All of the other hikers were so encouraging. We found at the bottom we would hike up 50 steps and then stop, but as we got higher we intentionally slowed our pace down which resulted in our breathing not being as hard when we did stop. I saw on several Youtube videos that people got on their hands and feet at some areas to climb up and I inwardly scoffed at that.... I'm here to tell you there is no shame in doing that! I did it and a young couple that was hiking at the same time as us did it (they were in their early 30s). It was so worth the hike up to say we accomplished it! There's a gift shop in town that sells a t-shirt to say you hiked the Incline. If you hike it - you should grab one :)
I would say that going down was harder than I expected ( I believe it's a 3 1/2 mile hike down with lots of loose gravel and some big steps down off of rocks). It was hard on our older knees, and hips. Overall the trip up and back down took us just under 5 hours. You do have to watch out for runners that come up behind you on the way down, but it's easy to hear them coming on the gravel and almost everyone that needed to pass us going down said thank you - which was nice. Overall, I would say to give this a try. You might surprise yourself - just remember it's not a race with anyone else, just go at your own pace, know your body, drink plenty of water and take as many breaks as you need to going up.

No words can really describe this incline. It took us about an hour to complete the incline hike then we took the trail down (about four miles) and that took about an hour and a half. *The trail ends about a quarter mile from the base of the incline. Pace yourself and you'll do great but pay attention! The steps change in height and depth. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen! Note: to capture your accomplishment make sure the picture you take at the top includes the steps you just climbed! I wouldn't recommend this adventure for anyone not looking for a challenge and I would discourage folks from bringing children under the age of five. Parking can be a challenge but there is free parking and a shuttle.

Definitely, should read descriptions and recommendations before you take on this challenge. It's not for the physically unfit. Don't bring your dogs. Bring twice the amount of water you think you will need. It's much, much more difficult then reading it online.
Coming in from the Midwest, we definitely underestimated the altitude challenge. We saved this activity for last on our week long Colorado vacation and still barely achieved success.
The free shuttle to and fro the incline is great. Go early in the morning to skip the crowd and for the cool temperature. Lunch and ice cream in downtown Manitou Springs after the climb was great!

If you like to push yourself this a great way to do it. The hike down is easy and picturesque. We did it toward the end of our trip to help with the altitude.

I do The Incline every year before hiking season really starts and it never gets easier. It's just stairs straight up for a mile. I'm in pretty good shape and I did it in an hour. They've made plenty of spots where you can rest on the side and out of the climbers way.

I would suggest taking your time, bringing plenty of water and snacks. They have 2 main parking lots that both cost $10. One of the lots is cash only so be sure to bring cash too.

Check this out! It's a great workout.

My husband and I completed the incline after flying in from California. Definitely have to be in shape especially if you are not used to the altitude. We made a reservation online for both the incline and for nearby parking. Steps are marked every 100 steps which was nice to know how far we had climbed along the way. Would recommend the incline only on a sunny and cooler day. We started around 3:30pm and took the Barr trail down after reaching the top of the incline. Really pleasant hike on the way down too.

It is an incredible challenge if you’re looking for a great workout. The elevation is a beast if you’re not ready for it !

The key to finishing the Manitou Springs Incline is to simply take your time. There's no need to rush. Many reviews I've read said the incline was much harder than they anticipated. I actually found it to be much more manageable than I thought it would be. My 8 year old daughter and I finished in about 50 minutes. It was definitely tough and a certain level of fitness is helpful. I wouldn't recommend this if you're not already active to some degree. We were also in town 5 days before hiking, so we had some time to adjust to the altitude.

The incline is marked every 100 steps or so, so we stopped at every marker, drank some water, and then kept going - and that got us to the top in under an hour. We got dropped off and picked up at the start, which was very helpful in terms of parking. Bring lots of water. If you don't drink it on the way up, you'll want it for the hike down - The Barr Trail is beautiful but can get hot and dusty towards the bottom. And start early so you're beating the afternoon heat. We started at 9 AM and while the sun was out, it wasn't that hot.

Many people recommend not bringing kids. My opinion on that is that you know your kids. My 8 year old did it just fine, but she's athletic and a go-getter. My six year old wouldn't have enjoyed it and would not have made it to the top. But we saw a 5 year old child make it to the top just fine. Just go slow, take breaks, and bring lots of water.

And don't be surprised if your legs are sore the next day!

WOW! My daughter and I did this together. I am 59 years old and was very surprised that more people were not my age. Only a handful were my age or older, everyone else was much younger.
It is a heck of a climb but so rewarding to get to the top. The trick is to go slowly and take breaks as needed. The air gets thin and the altitude gets high. I would have cheered at the top but didn't have enough breath left. :) The hike down (4 miles) was a nice trail but hard on the knees.
The climb is hard but doable even for us that are in average shape.

A challenge to climb but so worth it. Gorgeous views! Take walking sticks and lots to drink to hydrate. Everyone on the hike up is so encouraging and roots you along!

I will say you feel incredibly accomplished when you reach the top, but getting there….🥴🥴
The views were amazing, We saw lots of animals, and we were in a cloud! I severely underestimated the difficulty of this climb. If you are not accustomed to altitude it is a beating. I literally said “we climb all the time! It’s stairs! It can’t be that hard!!” It was pretty challenging. Having said that, I would do it a million more times!

Bad experience trip hiking parking lot.
One restaurant owner area charge $10dollar only cash.
In the early morning at6 pm only 1and 2/1 hours.
There are only few parking lots.and
Dirty area.
Never visit again.

Very Steep Incline and literally breathtaking views, this hike was exhausting but well worth the clim!!

This is a challenging workout with 2000 feet vertical climb over one mile. Amazing views and definitely something to put on the bucket list. Try to avoid weekends when crowds can be overwhelming and if you go in the summer, go early in the morning or early evening since it can get hot.

Did the climb on a hot sunny day. The markings every 100 steps helps to keep you going. Apparently it’s the thing to do among people in Colorado. Would highly recommend the challenge.

This is a place just waiting for an accident to happen. Too many people attempt this climb that have never hiked such a steep incline. It is NOT a hike in the moumntains;rather it is just a climb up many stair treads. Dangerous; Foolish. Just typical of the mind-set that prevails in the Springs. A "touristy trap".Stay away from this! Go for a real hike in our beautiful mountains instead.

Still having COVID restrictions and making people make reservations which aren’t available and terrible parking acomidations, man this place used to be great. Not anymore though.

By far one of the most fun and challenging outdoor activities in Colorado Springs. Difficultly rate i would say 6/10 but the view is totally worth it. 2744 steps up some of them were little froze. So i f you are there in the snow season have some spikes for your shoes. We ran into wild life too so it was epic. Definitely recommend it and definitely coming back again.

What a day!!!
Thanksgiving 2018.. Let's do the incline I said...holy cow, I had no idea what I was getting us into.
2744 steps 1.5 miles and 2k elevation change!!
700 steps in, I thought I wouldn't make it. The trail had snow and ice and it was quite unnerving. Some stairs were 3 railroad ties tall. Not an easy step. But as littles passed us, I had no excuse! About an hour and 15 minutes later, Don and I finished. Then Tarin, Allie and Brenna made it up as well. The climb down those stairs with the ice....no way. So we opted to take the Barre Trail back down which is 3.5-4 miles of the hike up to Pike. I opted to jog down not nice and slow since there were some slick spots. Thanks Brian for your training...that jog was actually easy!
Lessons learned..we needed spikes for our shoes.
1.Hiking boots for sure but so wish I had my running shoes for the trail back down.
2.Layer your cloths for sure! Took off layers but had to have them back on at the top.
3.Gloves mandatory
4. Pace yourself
5. The stairs are numbered and dont be fooled by the false summit. There are another 1000 to go!
6. Practice, condition first
7. Dont give up

We would love to come back and do it In the summer for sure!
#thanksgivingjarrettstyle2018
#checkedoffbucketlist

My husband and and son climbed this while we were visiting. My son ha son lived in CO Springs for over a year and hadn't tried it but wanted to, so they climbed it while we were visiting. It took them 37mins to get to the top and 20 to get down, over 200 steps. The view was great, but not recommended if afraid of heights or not physically fit. Some people were on it for over 2 hours and hadn't made it a quarter of the way. My daughter and I sat this adventure out!

We went at 1pm and it was very hot ! We climbed to 500 due to lack of time . Cool
Place ! Bring lots of water and maybe a few snacks !

We enjoyed so much the manitou incline! Shuttle service is always on time, friendly driver. The incline is challenging and it’s a good idea to be in shape but if you’re not there’s a detour half way so you can go back. Tip, when you’re half way, stop, make sure you inhale deeply and keep going. It’s a beautiful place and it’s so rewarding when you’re up there

Definitely a tough hike - make sure your acclimated before attempting. Pay attention to your body if your feeling altitude sickness. Hydrate , Hydrate, Hydrate. I did not make it to summit 1st day but went straight there after stepping off the plane - not to smart. Made it to 1st stop - only 1000 steps from there but was feeling the altitude... went back next day and made summit with no altitude sickness. Beautiful Views at summit and on way back down the Barr Trail

Go early, bring plenty of water and be ready for a great workout. Even being a runner, this place provided an outstanding workout! The Barr Trail down was gorgeous and a nice cool down.

What a climb. There is a bail out place at the halfway point. Take your time, go in the morning when cooler, & take water.

The Manitou Springs Incline was a tough and challenging hike. Climbing over 2700 steps at a distance of less than 1 mile, this is a unique experience to say the least. The first 30 steps lulls you into a false sense of security with somewhat even steps which then change into uneven and some very steep steps. Beware of the false summit. It may look like you are close to the top, but in reality, there are plenty of steps to go.
Try to go early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the heat and bring plenty of water and a couple of snacks for energy (remember to pack out what you bring in). There are no bathrooms along the incline except at the bottom. There are 3 bailout points along the incline, but plenty of areas to rest and pull over and to allow others to pass by. Everyone is friendly and encouraging because we're all in it together and to encourage each other to get to the top. Once at the top, the views are spectacular.
Take the Barr trail down and please don't try to use the stairs (unless you are well experienced). There were moments where I felt like I was almost about to fall backwards. The Barr trail is a long and windy route downwards, but the views are amazing.
Just remember, it's not a race. Just get to the top safe and sound and at your own pace.

The wife and I enjoyed it. Definitely pace yourself and take plenty of fluids. We bought tickets but when we arrived no one checked to see if we even had tickets.

If you have no heart and lung problems you have to try it at any age! Overweight is OK, I saw many people with not ideal figures or physical conditions.
Just don't run up, take a rest even every 20 - 30 - 50 steps (especially after first 500 - 1000 steps). Steps are very different during stairs of 0.88 miles. At the beginning they are quite flat, becoming triple steeper later.
I planned to get up in 2 hrs. I was need almost 3 hrs.
Way down on Barr trail took a little bit more then 1 hr.
Trail down is not clear at some places. I got lost at the beginning when wrong sign between boulders given me wrong direction.
Carry a lot of water! I usually don't drink any water during flat hikes up to 10 miles. On incline I had about 0.75 L bottle and it was not enough at all. I asked people hiking around me 4 times to share some water with me on my way down. 3 times people saved me by sharing some drinking water. I'm very grateful to them!
I had little breakfast before incline climbing started at 8 am and didn't want to eat until 5 pm, only drink, drink and drink water - huge dehydration of organism.
Just 100 - 150 steps down the bus stop (free shuttle #33 ) there is an Iron Spring - beautiful cold mineral water with iron taste and bench to take a rest in a shadow.

Based on COVID restrictions, limited slots avail for favorable dates/times (weekends, early mornings, evenings). Coupled w/ their inefficient reservation system, unfavorable experience. Hoping site administrators will find solutions so all families can enjoy this great hike regularly!

Whether you are a beginner or expert, you can do this hike, but be warned: IT IS TOUGH. If you want to mingle with the locals, this is the place because not many others are really up for the challenge. TAKE YOUR TIME AND PLENTY OF WATER (just not too much water because water is heavy). You can make it to the top of the incline if you pace yourself. My son was 9 years old when we first tackled this. It was a struggle to keep him motivated, but we made it----then ran down the Barr Trail to the car. A little history about how this place came to exist: it was the original railway for the cog until they upgraded to the cog that exists now. They took up the steel, but left the timbers. Some of the original timbers are still in use, but because this place is a local challenge, there have been repairs necessary. DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THIS PLACE. You are well above sea level when you start and are stair stepping a sky scrapper's height on the side of a mountain.

Older East Coast guy insight: tough climb! Uneven steps so there is no rhythm or pace. 2/3 up (1800 steps) bail out was a nice option to have. Enjoyed the 1 hour RT adventure, views, and trial down. The ‘online’ info for reservations/ parking, directions and expectations were spot on. A lot of videos offer insight, too.

This hike is short but intense. The hike down the other side of the mountain seems long after the inclne and the trail is very narrow. Be prepared to step aside and let runners and others go around you.

I brought my family on this hike (incline). I have a 6 and 7 year old who also hiked the Manitou Springs Incline with my husband and I. We started at 7 am and were done by 10:30am. My husband and I carried water bottles and snacks (bars, oranges, and nuts) for the several pauses between the steps. So proud of my little ones who do this incline. I saw two other children around the age of 9 and 10. It definitely felt amazing to reach the incline which is 2760 steps. Please remember to bring lots of water, especially if you aren't used to the altitude!

I will start by saying that I am an athlete and have done many stair climbs before - football stadiums, John Hancock in Chicago, Presidential Towers in Chicago, Swallow Cliff toboggan hill in Palos Park, Il. This is definitely the biggest challenge.
It was 50 degrees when we started and I am glad I wore shorts. It heated up pretty quickly.
After the first ½ of the stairs, we climbed 100 stairs and took a short rest, and then climbed another 100 etc. I didn’t find myself out of breath but my legs were screaming.
A pretty view from the top and plenty of places to sit and eat a snack before walking the 3 miles down. Make sure to take plenty of water or beverages and snacks for the top of the climb.

This hike is not for the faint-of-heart! Wife and I are active individuals (runners/hikers) and this hike absolutely took it out of us! The views are amazing and there is an amazing sense of accomplishment when you finish, however, it does absolutely suck getting there! :) Definitely recommend this to active individuals.... the hike down on the Barr trail was nice but a little icy in January. Make sure you go to the website and reserve a time before you show up to the incline. The website will also tell you where you need to park, which was free.

Most in our group wouldn’t have attempted the Incline but it wasn’t open to the public while we were in the area. However, the Incline is visible from many miles away and the views must be spectacular while ascending and once you’ve reached the summit! Very cool for fitness buffs!

If you do the Cave of the Winds Lantern Tour...Don't hike the Manitou Incline at night by yourself. It is Creepy!!
LOL...No, It was fun hiking the Incline at night using the moon light for the stairs and using a flashlight for the hike back down the trail. It is cold in October. Be prepared.

We recently took a trip to Manitou Springs, Colorado, traveling in our Mini-T HR campervan, and it turned into one of those trips that checks every box—challenging, scenic, well-organized, and genuinely memorable.

We set up locally at Manitou Springs RV Resort, which deserves special mention. The campground is exceptionally well maintained, easy to access, and perfectly located for exploring the area. Sites are clean and level, the facilities are spotless, and the overall atmosphere is quiet and well run. Being able to park, settle in, and start hiking directly from the campground made the entire experience seamless.

From the campground, we walked to the base of the Manitou Springs Incline and completed the full hike to the top, returning via the Barr Trail and local paths—logging just under 11 miles round trip by the time we were back at our camper. Starting and finishing the hike without needing to drive or shuttle added a huge amount of enjoyment and simplicity to the day.

The Incline itself absolutely lives up to its reputation. With more than 2,700 steps packed into less than a mile and nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain, it is steep, relentless, and demanding—in the best possible way. This is not a casual stroll, but it’s incredibly rewarding. The views become more impressive with every section climbed, and reaching the top feels like a true accomplishment.

The descent via Barr Trail provided a welcome contrast, offering a longer, more gradual return through forested terrain with great views of Manitou Springs and the surrounding area. It’s a smart and scenic way to finish the hike and gives you time to enjoy the surroundings after the intensity of the Incline.

What really stood out was how well everything in the area works together. The Incline is well maintained and managed, the trail connections are clearly marked, and Manitou Springs itself has a relaxed, welcoming mountain-town feel. After the hike, it was easy to head back to the campground, relax, and enjoy the evening without feeling rushed or crowded.

Between the iconic climb, the excellent RV park, and the ability to experience it all on foot from where we stayed, this trip was a standout. If you enjoy challenging hikes, scenic mountain towns, and well-located campgrounds, Manitou Springs delivers on every level.

This was easily a five-star experience, and one we will do again!

This came recommended from a friend at work. We started up the incline on a March afternoon, great weather. Not too crowded but there was some ice and snow that made parts of the climb tricky. We made it but did not break any records. If you are not in shape, this is going to be VERY hard - the incline gets very steep - and after to reach the top you have to get back down. The trail down (2+ miles not on the incline) was very slippery in some areas - watch out. Amazing views and a great physical challenge.

It's hard. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time and take breaks. We parked in Iron Springs Chateu Parking for $15 Dollars Free parking at the Barr Trail lot but they don't advertise that. Not recommended for people with heart issues and not fit. Lots of people walked the stairs back down vs taking the longer walking trail back. Look at weather before going up. WE got hailed on and 2 inches of rain while we were at the top!

Beautiful - well worth the very difficult hike!

Essentially every step is a stair for 1 mile in which you gain 2k elevation. Doable for someone with good fitness levels, but it is a real challenge. Walked near constantly at a slow pace and managed it in just under one hour, but with more breaks it would be more manageable

Recommend waiting a few days to acclimatise if you are visiting.

We just flew in from the east coast and went straight to the incline. It was one of the hardest things I have done ever and I am in pretty good shape. Take lots of fluids and breaks along the way. The views are wonderful, but once you reach the top it is anti climatic. Be prepared for over an hour hike down through the woods on a trail after the hike up the incline

1) Reservations: Online reservations are required and free. They open seven days in advance, but unfortunately the website doesn't say at what time (or at least it didn't at the time I made my reservation). So I tried at midnight, then 6 am (because the Incline opens at 6 am) and eventually found out that reservations open at 7 am. Print your confirmation or save it to your phone, because there is poor reception at the trailhead.
2) Parking: I chose the Iron Springs Chateau Parking, which is a 5 min walk from the trailhead. $10 for 4 hours. Online reservations required.
3) Start time: Go early! I had an 8:00 reservation and by the time I made it to the top of the Incline (9:10) it was already quite hot. There is hardly any shade.
4) Attire: Wear running or hiking shoes. No flip flops or sandals. Keep in mind that you also need to hike down the 4-mile Barr trail. Sunscreen a must.
5) What to bring: Plenty of water There is none on the incline or at the top.
6) Restrooms: At the trailhead only. None along the route or at the top.

The Incline is quite a workout, especially the middle section which is steeper and has higher steps. 2768 steps to the top. Don't underestimate the altitude if you are not acclimated.

I was very skeptical doing this climb because I questioned how good of shape I am in. I am 45, do modified CrossFit 4-5 per week, and a native to Texas. All of the warnings almost scared me away, but I decided to go for it and am so glad I did. It was challenging, but no where near as bad as I thought it would be. Finished at 1:23 and that was with lots of breaks the 2nd half where the climb gets steep. My 21 yr old son who lives here and is not very active had no issues at all and had to wait on me.

We parked for free at Hiawatha Gardens around 0730 on Saturday and had no problems finding a space. We caught the shuttle to the base of the incline. Hassle free!

Bring a Camelback full of ice and water. Several times I needed to use my hands to climb. I needed every drop of water in my 84 oz pack. Was surprised to see many climbing without any water or a small water bottle.

Don’t forget sunscreen even if you are climbing early in the morning.

Make sure your shoes have some good tread on them. My hubby slid several times going down the Barr trail. Enjoy the view on the way down, but watch for runners who come up quick behind you.

Everyone was so friendly! Lots of people, but was a very enjoyable experience.

Oh don’t forget to download the app. It was very helpful in letting you know where you on the climb.

A great experience in the snow as well as intense workout! Thankfully, the steps were not icy but snow packed. Make sure to bring water and perhaps a snack. We did the incline in less than 2 hours (not bad for a couple of middle-aged women, one from MN!). It is not advised to take this path back down, but a few folks were doing so.

I had read about this Incline and decided I needed to see if I was up for the challenge. From afar, it is pretty intimidating, but I said I would do it. The entire walk up your back is to the sun, so going early is best. I read blogs that said to take each step up at a "wedding March" pace, so I started with that in mind. There are some spots with steep steps that are more difficult to get up. I felt I was going to fall backwards a couple times! I drank two liters of water going up the Incline, but except for a one minute pause half way to take a picture, I did it in under 45 minutes!!
Note there is a free parking lot in town and a free shuttle that will take you to the Incline!

Before our trip to Colorado, I was still a little hesitant whether to do this one or not. The challenger in me said yes, so my husband and I decided to climb the Manitou Incline after our visit from Garden of the Gods. My husband is pretty fit and works out regularly. Needless to say that he did find the climb way easier than I did -- who rarely works out and do not have the best physical fitness per se. Anyway, overall it took my husband about 45 minutes from bottom to top with multiple stops and slow-downs (because of me). Then we decided he could go up alone to see how long it was going to take him. Then he climbed back down to meet me halfway. About 2.5 hours later, I made it to the top! I kept stopping on my way up because (1) some steps had frozen ice so it was a little slippery, (2) the elevation caused light-headedness, and (3) I was not prepared to do any activities as tough as this one. Haha.

Fast forward, the view from the top was amazing. You can see the whole Colorado Springs from atop. The breeze felt nice. I wish there was a store or bathroom though. So keep that in mind when climbing the incline. NO BATHROOM AT THE TOP.

The hike down was fairly easy. We took the Barr Trail. We were down where we started in less than an hour. We probably would've done it faster going down but it was already dark outside by the time we got down. It does get darker much faster when in the forest/on a mountain. We used the flashlights on our phone. But if you could, bring a real flashlight because you might need your phone's battery in case anything happens.

Overall, it was a challenge but a very fulfilling one. Listen to your body and do not push it more than it can handle. But if you are like me who likes to finish what's started, go for it. Keep going until you reach the summit! Take breaks, drink lots of water/Gatorade, and take pride for climbing it! Have fun!

The Incline is a beast. I didn’t attempt it, but my nephew and girlfriend did. 2700 steps. They did it in 49 minutes. If I had been in better shape maybe.

So happy I got to experience this memorable hike up these 2768 railties! I’m a 52 year old, fit woman, who lives at altitude in NM, and I found this climb VERY challenging. It took me 1:17 to ascend just under a mile to the summit. Then about one hour to descend via the four mile trail. Some areas were a bit icy, so it might be wise to bring micro spikes if you got em. You need to make a (free but required) reservation during The Great Pause, as they are limiting the number of trekkers at any given hour, in order to keep people safe. Just Do It!!!

My husband and I are in our early 70s and exercise a lot. We went to step 1300 - an escape place - and then took the trail down. It was about the same time both ways for us, which was a slow-placed 50 minutes both up and down. We had just driven to Garden of the Gods, and it was packed with cars and pedestrians everywhere. It was great to get on the Incline, as you get away from crowds. On the way down, we didn't see anyone on this escape route. We ran into some people who took the steps down instead, but we preferred the trail with the views and solitude of hiking alone. I fell down several times and ended with the badge of bloody knees and a bump on the top of my head. This was entirely my own fault, as my old Asics had to tread whatsoever, so it was like walking on marbles for me! I got great belly laughs at myself. I came out unscathed, and this was lucky. I doubt most people take the Incline in worn-out shoes! With trail shoes and more water , we would venture higher if ever there again. It is challenging and fun. The only issue was that we tried to go in the gift store at the bottom at 3:45 p.m. on a Saturday. Two young ladies who worked there were hurriedly closing and locking up. So, we could not buy The Incline t-shirts or sweatshirts to commemorate our adventure. I cannot understand the shop being closed. A guy came and wanted water, water, waaaattterrrr in the worst say. He was turned away, too. You need reservations that you make online in advance, so there are not too many people at one time. Parking is difficult. Be very careful to follow instructions to park in the correct lot.

Loved the adrenaline rush! Climbed patiently! The trail back was beautiful! It stairs seemed neverending, but met few wonderful people.

So tough! So awesome! Get the Manitou Incline link on your ohone and just do it! You will not be sorry!

A true test of fitness and fortitude for those who consider themselves athletic! I live at sea level and had been in the area 5 days but was humbled by the demands this mountain placed on my body and stamina. It took me 75 minutes to make the climb and another 75 minutes to walk down the 4 miles of Barr Trail. I look forward to an opportunity to do it again sometime.

This was my second trip to complete the Manitou Springs Incline and this year was quite a bit hotter than last year. I will say that compared to 2018, there has been a tremendous amount of work that has been completed and it was noticed by our entire group. It greatly improved the average stair size as well as tread depth making for more even footing during the climb.

The biggest distraction are those that are coming down the stair side rather than going down the back of the mountain. If you are of average physical ability, you are looking at the stairs to ensure proper footing and those coming down are a hazard.

I will definitely be there for trip # 3 next year. Although planning a later date in September to avoid the heat!

Our family of 5 loved this! Bring lots of water and don't be in a rush and you will love it! We hiked up the incline and took the Barr trail down. Wonderful time together as a family and all felt great that we made it to the top! We went on a Saturday morning and paid $10 to park nearby. I was worried about it being crowded but this is one of the few times that it was actually nice to have so many people around. Everyone was talking and encouraging others along the way which was so nice to be a part of. A must do when in the area!

I don't think I was quite ready for this. I got winded at the very bottom, maybe it was just the altitude or maybe I am really out of shape. It was a great hike, probably took me longer than anyone else. My legs were SORE the next day but I felt healthy!

Was a phenomenal experience. Made is see life using a different lens. Climbing and descending made me feel super accomplished

If you want a challenge this is it! If you finish, you can give yourself a pat on the back. It’s a demanding one-mile incline hike to get it off the bucket list. The trail continues on once at the top too!

Hubby and I hiked this trail. Including the stairs up and the Barr Trail back down, it took us 4 hours. What a sense of accomplishment when we reached the top! I have some knee issues, and could not have done the stairs without my trekking poles. It was a foggy and drizzly day, so not many views. But so worth it!!

My husband tells me it only took me 1 hour 10 minutes to get to the top, It was the longest 1 hour 10 minutes that I have experienced in some time. Best part was probably the collegial fellow trekkers and everyone cheering when you made it to the top!

The Manitou Incline is no joke. We had a great time, even though we had to take the Barr Trail bail out. Beautiful views. Our reservation was for 1:30PM in the middle of July, which in hindsight was probably not one of my better decisions when planning our Colorado vacation. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Take frequent breaks, there are plenty of little rest stops along the way off to the side... and try to get an earlier reservation if you can, especially in the warmer months!

The Incline has become one of the top destinations in Colorado- but this is not for those that are not in good shape- you can bale at certain points if the incline is too much- I.e. 2000 steps and there is a path back down

For a 1 mile hike the incline is brutal. 2700 steps - whew it was a challange. Free parking in town then take the free bus to the starting point. It takes about an hour an 1/2 so plan to hike early in morning or evening but take into account the hike down on the backside trail also takes an hour and 1/2. Take 2 bottles of water (or more if needed) you'll probably need it and use sunblock cause you'll be looking up the whole time into the sun to see if your getting close to being done . . . :)
There is some shade along the trail but is sparse.
It was grueling hike but when you accomplish it you'll be glad you did it. Definitely a bucket list item. When you get to the top the view is pretty cool.

This is a great place to visit, plus is free. We struggled to find a place to park, when we did we walked to the shuttle. It takes you mear the entrance, you still have to walk up to get to the bottom, I recommend going late in the after noon or very early in the morning, this place is magnificent, I couldn’t go all the way up, and I found it more difficult going down, don't dare if you don't have athletic background or condition, if you don't you can still try but come prepared with comfortable shoes and clothes, with plenty of water to drink, do not go late at night, more of a chance to have a bad accident.

Spontaneously went here on short notice and I'm not a hiker. BTW - you need to make a reservation online. BUT SO WORTH IT! Wow...the gorgeous views while you suffer! LOL. Make sure you take the free bus to get to the base.

Hiked right after it opened with social distancing guidelines and online ONLY reservation. Parking nearby is difficult to find but hiking the Incline for the first time is so rewarding. That feel of accomplishment every couple minutes is really what people need right now. It just breathtaking when look back at the city and the steps you just finished. The hike back using Barr trail connector is also beautiful. I saw few people claiming down the incline but I guess the trail would be better and easier, safer option.

Over 2000 steps going up to what seems like Heaven. It is when you reach the top, and look down over the city of Colorado Springs. The steps were recently redone so much more stable, and safe for those attempting to climb it.

Been a few times. Make sure you press to the top. Don’t bail out. Bring water and if you are unfit, well, get fit and take your time

This was an an amazing experience for my spouse and me. We hiked up all 2768 steps! Be sure to make your reservations ahead of time, and park in the Hiawatha lot in Manitou Springs and take the 33 bus to the incline, since parking is limited at the incline. I recommend hiking in the early morning (pay attention to weather conditions). Get acclimated to the altitude before attempting. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Bring a lot of water, and energy snacks. Hiking sticks are helpful. Read up on incline hiking tips, plenty of people have great ideas. You can take the steps down, but I recommend taking the Barr Trail down. The hike up the incline takes approximately 2 hours for the average hiker. The Barr Trail is about 4 miles, and can take close to two hours (depending on your pace) to get down. You will be tired afterwards!

Great hike for someone that is prepared for a workout and has plenty of water. Start early and parking can be difficult to find. Highly suggest being acclimated to the elevation before attempting this hike.

An outstanding thing to have done especially in a more off month like September. Rae our driver, was an outstanding tour guide. My wife was a bit nervous, and she was very sensitive to and accommodated that concern. She was very friendly and personal as well as professional.

Wow what a great experience!
A real challenge to climb its 2744 steps, sometimes tiny, sometimes gigantic. But what satisfaction has the arrival. We took a little less than 1h30 to climb the steps and 1h to descend the Barr trail.
You have to book your time slot to enter but there is no time limit to climb the steps.
There are parking lots in manitou spring with free shuttles for the incline.

Add this one to the top of your list if you are visiting CO Springs. I'll start off by saying that if you're visiting from a flatter city, give yourself at least two days to acclimate and hydrate a lot before going. I took extra precautions but it paid off in the end as I didn't feel any effects from the elevation and workout. If you are in fairly good shape you can make it up in about 30-45 minutes easy. Be weary that when you start and look up, that is a false summit. While it's the steepest part, there are still a few hundred steps left to get to the top after that. I did this in jeans and hiking boots but recommend trail running gear if you have it. On the descent taking the backside trail, we ran the whole way down (highly recommend it, lots of fun if you are a runner and probably much easier than walking slowly so you don't feel it quite as much). If you are up to an early wake-up call, go before the sunrise. We had a 6:30am reservation and seeing the sunrise on the way up makes for some killer photos!

Even if you cant climb it just go see it. It takes your breathe away even from far away. 274 steps up and a 4 mile hike down.

I just did it yesterday (09/22/23) and thankfully I was able to get acclimated to the altitude beforehand because I saw someone there trying it without proper preparation and they were not looking good at all.
Nevertheless, even with being acclimated and with having trained for a few months, there was nothing that I was able to do to quell my fear of heights.
It was tormenting and if you have a similar fear, I wouldn't recommend it.
Some angles and steps are so steep and sharp that it felt like I needed to cling on for dear life when in reality I was as stable and sure as can be.
I wavered from feeling comfortable to extremely uncomfortable all the way until I reached the last few hundred steps. There the path was more like normal stairs again and felt better.
If you don't have any fear of heights, then I am sure that you will love this one of a kind workout. My best tip is to simply pace yourself, try not to go so fast in the beginning and expect it to increase in difficulty at certain points as the sections of steps vary from another.
The views are incredible and you will love being able to say you did it.
You will also be amazed at how effortlessly some others do their climb with some kids and elderly folks getting it done alongside of you.
I highly recommend taking on this challenge at least once in your life.
If I can make a quick plug, I would recommend heading to a little pizza shop nearby afterwards for some awesome and enjoyable pizza. The place is called Manitou Baked. Tell them some guy from NY sent you.

This is VERY tough. My husband did it and it took him around 2 1/2 hours to go complete it but he did. He has had sore calves for 2 days now.. lol there is a trail you can come down if you didn’t want to take the steps. I am attaching a picture just know what you are getting into and good luck 👍🏻

So AMAZING, no words to describe!! So many steps but what an accomplishment! I am a hiker and had no problems. My husband on the other hand....is a golfer, a ride in the cart type golfer non the less. He made it to the top. Yes, I left him on the lower steps to do my own thing but he finally made it to the top. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, everyone trying to do their best and make it up. At the top, the view is just amazing! Halfway there is a sign that says you can take a trail back down to the car, but hey, youve made it that far, keep going! The sign at the opt out site says its 1000 more steps with an average time of 1 hour to the top. Dont let that discourage you...its doable and worth it. After we both made it to the top and caught our breath, we took the Barr trail back down to our car. I think it was about a 3 mile EASY hike down. This was the highlight of both of ours. My hubby says he will never do it again but glad he did. This will be in my plans each time we go back to visit. It is free as well.

Due to some medical issues, I'm not in the greatest shape and also overweight. I did acclimate to the area about 2 weeks before attempting this and also have been doing light cardio in preparation.

It took me a LONG time and I went very slow (most people were passing me). My goal was not to set a record, but just to complete the hike. Something that helped me going up (and especially for my knees going down the Barr trail) was trekking poles. I also took a lot of water, but due to the 70 degree weather didn't use as much as I'd thought I would. I did a lot of research on the trail before attempting it (almost to the point of obsessing over it) and when I arrived I actually felt a little nervous.

Bottom line, if you have perseverance and don't care how long it takes, you can make it to the top. Listen to your body and take a lot of breaks. It took me 2 hours, and actually still had enough energy to run up the last 20 or so steps (bad idea, my legs and lungs did not like that at all).

I did this with my brother the other day such a good quick hike. About 3/4 way up you think you hit the summit but it’s misleading as it’s a false summit,but it’s not much further to go. Took about 40 minutes to reach the top including plenty of stops for the all important photos. On the way down we took the trail as thought walking down the incline was probably not the best idea with the small steep steps, the trail was around 3 miles down.

This was a highlight for me as it was challenging and I feel as though I really accomplished something. For those coming from sea level, wait a few days to acclimate and you will have a better experience. In the summer, try to get there as early as possible. I began at 6:30 am and would not have wanted to attempt it later. Views from the top are great. The Barr trail down was beautiful and allowed me to recover from the climb.

If you are not physically active, don't think you are magically going to gain that super power on this incline! Recommend everyone bring water--your group will spread out the higher you go. Also take snacks and dress appropriately. Recommend getting started at first light so it is cool and less crowded. My daughter, 13, got lightheaded and passed out at about the 1/2 point (she runs XC and track)...she was pushing herself to hard. Everyone was helpful and we used Barr Trail to get her back down. Challenge was awesome!

My husband and I are 55 & 59 and in good shape, but not athletic and we did it in 3 hrs round trip . We walk daily and aren't overweight and we took the advice seen in other reviews and just took our time. Def need water and a snack and like they say, don't forget it's a long hike down the trail after you do the steps but compared to the steps the trail is a nice recovery. Use your head and give it a shot. No shame in bailing out at 1800 steps. We parked in the $10 spaces by the cog and that was great but there are very few spots there .

Wife (48), myself (48), daughter (19) and the boy (16) all completed The Incline. Son (Completed in less than an hour) and Daughter (1hr 45) both left us in the dust but thankfully not a race. Not going to lie wife and myself took many breaks. It is difficult, But doable if you take your time and have the right mind set! We did do the free shuttle (recommend). If up for a challenge then go for it!!!!!!!!!! Bucket list type thang! CHECK!

To all who think that just because they can do the stairmaster at the gym for an hour that they can race up the incline, let me give you a reality check: You are wrong! This is an a$$-kicking of your quads. And beware of the “false summit” as you thing you’re at the top. You are not. It’s fun...no doubt, but be prepared.

If you are at least somehow fit, you need to do it and be like Rocky but better. Trail is easy after the incline.

I'm in pretty good shape (half marathon runner) but this was a little tougher than I expected so I stopped more than I would have liked. it took me around 40 mins.
Its a good workout and the view at the end is fantastic. Take the Barr Trail down its a nice hike.
I wore hiking shoes , you should too.
Some tips I will follow next time. My target 35 mins
1. Go early when its not too hot. (I started at 8am. 7am better)
2. Slow and steady ( I started too fast so after around 10 mins I needed. a 1 min break to catch my breath)
3. Hydrate ( I should have hydrated better before I started) . I drank 1 bottle of water.

Enjoy the view is worth it.

Wife and I are in good shape. We didn't actually have any problems with the incline; we took it SLOW and steady. However, we passed a number of people who were wiped. Bring water, maybe a hiking stick. Know and listen to you body. Certainly worth doing.

Stunning view once you get to the top! Not easy to go all the way up though. Make sure you are well rested, stretch and eat a good meal. It took about 2 hours to get all the way up but I'm so glad I made it.

The incline was not originally on my list of "things to do while in Colorado" but I'm always up for a challenge and this one did not disappoint. My husband and I decided to start the climb at around 4pm in the afternoon as the sun started to set (hopeful of cooler temps well). The incline was not really busy at all but there were a number of repeat hikers/runners as evidenced by their physique and their hearty "good job" as they passed us on the way up. This hike is not for the faint of heart. I consider my husband and I to be physically fit (marathoners and regular gym-goers) and it took us just under an hour to complete the 1 mile incline. Specifically, it took us 20 mins for the first half and almost twice that for the second half. Others we spoke to who have completed the climb indicated that it took them between 40 mins to 2 hours. Most of the 2,700+ steps were relatively uniform in height but there were a few patches of steps that were narrow and only 6 inches high and some that were over 12 inches high. Some parts of the incline required us to scramble on all fours! The last 100+ steps were definitely heart pounding so my advice to anyone deciding to conquer the incline is to absolutely take rests and drink water whenever you need to. Be warned, there is a false summit about 3/4 of the way up but I had read about that in advance and was prepared. Once you are at the top, you are rewarded with some pretty remarkable views of Colorado Springs and the outlying areas below. Summiting at sunset offered incredible views! The guide indicated that there is a 4 mile trail (Barr Trail) down the mountain (you aren't allowed to go down the same way you come up although we did see a few people do just that; strongly discouraged though) but our GPS indicated that it was only 3 miles down, which was fine with us because we were exhausted! Another climber had the same results in terms of mileage. All in, it took us 3 hours to summit and descend the incline. One should budget 3 to 4 hours assuming you are in reasonable shape. Admittedly, this climb was one of the toughest I've ever experienced and I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't some kind of bell to ring once you crested the top to celebrate your accomplishment (similar to ringing a bell when you get a PR at a road race). The high-fives you received from those that reached the top before you were nice though and thankfully, I had my phone with me to take pictures as evidence and souvenirs! And yes, I would do it again! Great challenge! Great feeling of accomplishment!

We LOVED Manitou Springs!! SO close to Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Open Space, Pikes Peak and Manitou Cave Dwellers!! Beautiful town with tons of shops and great restaurants!

Hiked this for my nature loving friends birthday, we loved it! Challenging, but if you take your time you’ll do just fine! Took us 3 hours round trip, it was a beautiful, cooler cloudy day, perfect for a hike!

Family of 4 climbed the Manitou Incline. Half made it all the way to the top and half had to bail. We brought 4 bottles of water per person and used 3 each. I would say as tough as it looks...it’s harder than you would think. Those that made it to the top said it was definitely worth it.

This is a strenuous hike but it is so worth it! You do need to have a reservation to go but it is easy to make one on your phone even when you arrive.

What a great workout, awesome hike up the incline and great views on the incline as well as the trail down. Get up early to beat the heat - bring plenty of water!

I have heard repeatedly how much the teens enjoyed the climb. They cannot wait to go back. Between the climb itself, the rocks to climb in the area and the views, they have talked about it so much since. If you use an inhaler, do not forget it!! Also, you need a lot of water before and during. You don't want a headache or to get sick due to lack of water.

What a thrill when finally reaching the top, very strenuous, physically demanding climb, Extraordinary view! Exhillarating!!

Difficult treck to the top but worth the sense of accomplishment. Our 14, 10, 8yr olds did great. Be sure to bring plenty of water. Everyone was so encouraging on the hike up. It is discouraged to walk back down the incline so we took the Barr trail. Much longer than you might think to get back down. Be watchful for the runners that try to make their way down quickly. We did find this a little annoying because they expect you to yeild to them as they come up behind you. People don't like to stop and we about got run over a couple of times.

This was one heck of an adventure! We took our kids, 21, & 16. I would not suggest taking small kids or pets. It is not for the faint of heart. Our family is in good shape and we had to rally with each other. It’s fun to say you did it, but just be prepared. Take lots of water and snacks. Look for the alternate way down to see this beautiful waterfall. Just listen for the water on your way down and you’ll find it

You will really feel like you’ve accomplished something after three hours here! Definitely not for the faint of heart! Word of warning: check the weather forecast before attempting. We made it to the top while occasional lightning strikes were going off in the distance. On the way down, we encountered a rain deluge, hail, flash flooding on the trail and lightning right over our heads. We were very happy to have made it down relatively unscathed, however every square inch of us was soaking. An unforgettable memory for years to come!

This is definitely one heck of a workout, take water and plenty of it.
It was a great sense of accomplishment after we completed it. The earlier the better I would say cause the sun is bearing down on you even though it was in the upper 60s at 7am. You will have to pay for parking.
Either at the old train station or at trailhead. We took the Barr trail back down. About 4 miles down pretty easy some people even run it. Don't be a hero & not take breaks. It takes from 1 to 2 hours to complete. Good luck!

This is a unique physical challenge with the rewards of fantastic views plus personal satisfaction. Fun experience as you share with others as you advance up the incline.

We started early and parked in the free parking area and took the shuttle, which was super easy. It was a cloudy day, so we were lucky. The incline itself looks so intimidating, but once you get started, it's not that bad...it is a grunt for sure, but well worth it at the top! It was fun, with lots of people. Take it slow at the bottom, it gets more challenging. The trail down is sort of long, but very pretty. Well worth it, for sure!

When me and my family set out, we knew it was going to rain but we thought we would be down by then. Unfortunately my family gave up after one of the hills, but me and my grandfather kept going which was a big mistake. It started pouring down rain and instead of going down back the way we came we had to go down the 4 mile way down so we wouldn't slip and potentially fall down the stairs. It started hailing golf sized hail, and there were tornado warning, and the wind was blowing hard. We made it down after almost five hours of hell. I advise you to check the weather before you go!!

The brutal truth here—this was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Until I got past about the 2/3 mark, I didn’t know if I’d finish it. I am a reasonably fit 50-something year old who runs and walks several times per week and I trained for this by climbing steps, specifically, and this still kicked my butt. Part of the difficulty is the altitude. I spent 4 days in CO getting acclimated ahead of time and was having no trouble or signs of altitude sickness before attempting the Incline, but it is a totally different story when you are exerting yourself at that level. It’s very difficult to catch your breath. I got very dizzy and needed to break often. There are parts where the incline is close to 68% and the railroad ties are as much as 2 feet apart, making it necessary to use my hands to pull myself up using the next railroad tie while pushing off with my foot, if you can picture that. Just know what you’re getting into. This is not a hike for the average person. It is an extreme hike. If you have any kind of health condition that makes a rigorous cardio workout questionable for you, it might be better to skip this one. It took me 2.5 hours to get to the top. Good luck.

Cog Railway is under construction, but the incline walk (for the young and those in great shape) is well worth the climb for the view

It’s a Pretty amazing feeling to get to the top. It is , of course intense , but I liked how all the steps were numbered . At the end we’d do 50 then stop. It helped for us to break it up that way . There wasn’t always but often little pockets on the side with rocks or trees to catch your breath and sit for a minute . It was pretty busy but everyone was so friendly , and encouraging to everyone else . The view from the top was phenomenal! I highly recommend it .

We are a fit couple, and it was a challenging 54 minute climb! The hike down the Barr trail took 1.5 hours perhaps? Lovely!

Tough hike but definitely worth the views. And the 4 mike hike back down the mountain was beautiful as well!

If you’re looking for a challenge with a huge reward, this is it! Absolutely stunning views the entire way. Once you reach the top you can take Barr Trail down and it’s also very beautiful along the entire trail.

A must do if you want to challenge yourself. This is extremely difficult. I am in average shape and 53. I work out 2-3 times a week. My goal was to finish not win. So slow and steady definitely wins the race on this hike. Take lots of water, I used my camelback. Take a couple of high energy snacks. Stop a lot! We stopped every 100 stairs in the beginning. Even more often once we reached 1800. BRING YOUR HIKING STICKS! I saw very few people with sticks and I don’t understand why. I wouldn’t have made it to the top without mine. I was using mostly upper body strength at the top. There are two major escape trails, one at 1300 stairs and one at 1800 stairs.

Fantastic experience! But bring your hiking sticks!!!

This climb up an old railway is tough. Fortunately, there are plenty of spaces to take a break and enjoy the breathtaking (in the very literal sense) views. Make sure your hands are free, as there are several spots where the steps feel more like a ladder than a trail.

Definitely underestimated this walk and forgot about the 4 mile trail to hike down. Worth it, but tough.

Bring at least 2 bottles of water per person and at least a bag of chips for a victory snack at the top. They open pretty early, it's nice to be finished before you get too burned (the sun is behind you as you walk in the mornings, sunscreen the back of your legs).

They do their RSVPs on a 7 day cycle, I'd make sure to be in top of that. For parking, go to the Hiawatha gardens ($1 per hour) and take the free shuttle (so far, they still mandate a mask, or else you cannot ride).

Really amazing spot, highly recommend. Great people, and it's cool to struggle with the group around you!!

When researching what to do in COS, I stumbled across this adventure and knew it was a must "attempt" and it quickly became a goal. A friend and I made reservations (done just to keep the people spread out throughout the day - might be a covid thing) for a Friday morning. The temps were cool but the clear sky and bright sun made for the need of thin layers for the climb. The steps start out shallow and flat but eventually get steep and narrow, at some points almost needing to bear crawl it just to keep your weight going towards the stairs because it would be easy to loose your balance when it gets super steep.

Every 100 steps are labeled so it's like little small victories along the way. I'm 44 and in shape (working out 4x a week at a HIIT gym) but this was definitely hard! Once you get higher, more frequent breaks are needed to catch your breath and allow oxygen to get to your muscles. Maybe a couple minutes and then onward. Definitely noticed my breath thinner and sounding different the higher I went and just assumed that it was more altitude than exhaustion.

The hike down were switchback trails which were welcoming to my knees rather than taking the steps down. I believe they desire you to NOT take the steps down but there were several people that did.

I suggest to take a couple bottles of water and a couple snacks that might give you energy. And keep trucking... small victories to the top!

Beautiful views along the way, both directions!

Ever since I learned about this stair climb two years ago, it was on my bucket list. I had a random four days off from work and decided to just do it. This is not for beginners. You must must must have water when you try to climb these stairs. Wear a hat too. As someone who works out 3 to 4 times a week, doing local Minnesota and Western Wisconsin hills, and stairs at a decent pace, these stairs took me 2 hours to get to the top.
Get ready to see 10–year-olds and 80–year-olds pass you. If you are an athlete training for anything physical in regards to sports, you need to try this. it is like nothing you’ve ever done before. Despite getting my butt kicked, I absolutely love the fact that I made it to the top. I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but I will go back and do it again.

This incline has been a goal of mine for years. I finally got to do it with my adult son. I know that he could have shaved of a few more minutes but he hung in with me. First time up in one hour. Not bad for a couple of first time flatlanders.

Helpful tips:
-Don't let it intimidate you,but be prepared. There are signs everywhere, if you have health issues this is not for you and they cannot get to you very fast.
-If you don't live in this kind of elevation come early. We live in Michigan and Indiana. We were here two days walking all kinds of trails in elevation before we tried this climb. Elevation sickness is real, had many friends go down.
-That 68%grade and uneven railroad ties are no joke. Make sure you bring a backpack water carrier (Camel pack) ours was useful.
-Start early, it gets hot fast when you are climbing this thing.
-I would not personally come straight back down the Incline although some people who live here do. It is really steep and very hard on your knees.
-Park at the bottom of the Barr Trail (Paid parking). There is a pathway to the bottom of the incline. When you travel back down the 4.5 miles of trail having the car parked at the bottom is something you will be thankful for.
-There are no bathrooms if you are wondering (anywhere close)
-Don't carry anything you don't need to carry!

Fairly tiring hike, but getting to the top is worth it. Do not bring kids who are not used to hiking. Our kids (almost 12 and 10) made it, with some moaning. Reservation required to hike at the moment, keep the bracelet as proof you made it is recommended. Bring water, and don't go down the stairs. For the closest parking, look up ISC Hiking Parking on Facebook and make a reservation. Don't underestimate the time you will also need to hike down again. Time taken - one of us did it in 1 hour, the other 3 of us did it in 2 hrs. But then we took a further hour at least to get back down.

Before we headed out to Colorado we had no intention to tackle the Manitou incline. We mentioned to someone we met in Denver that we were moving on to Manitou next on our road trip and this was the first thing they recommended.

We’re a reasonably fit couple but more gym goers and team sports players than outdoor pursuits kind of people but I really felt like we needed to challenge ourselves for a change.

We set off early morning to beat the heat but thankfully it was overcast that day anyway, it remained humid but at least we didn’t have the sun beating down on us. It was tough, before we even put one foot on a step I wondered if it was such a good idea, this thought repeatedly passed through my mind the entire hike but we made it in around 55 minutes which I was quite pleased at.

There is a great feeling of accomplishment when you get to the top so it’s worth it just for that!

The Barr trail is a nice track back down the other side, I found people climbing back down the stairs a real distraction on the way, the altitude and vertigo and wobbly legs are enough to deal with as it is.

Take water, take a snack and take a hat and don’t even contemplate this without decent footwear! The Barr trail even has rocks in places that like to move under your feet, it would be a shame to tumble your way down the other side through the cacti after all that effort.

Bucket List item. It took my husband and I 2 hours to climb and about an hour to hike down the Barr Trail. We took a few "breathers" on our way up! It was snowing at the top and I was glad that I dressed in layers. Not very busy at all. I secured reservations for a start time of 10am, but there was no one there to check my phone.

This is a must visit / hike if you are in Manitou Springs. Go ready to sweat. I am not used to this altitude but I made it in about an hour. I was being passed up constantly by others who were much much faster.

This was an amazing 2744 stair climb with avg. of 40 degree incline. There were all sorts of fitness levels on the stairs making it even more amazing! I have hiked the Koko Head Trail stairs in Hawaii but this is much much more difficult given the degree of incline and I'm in decent shape! Bring lots of water and take rests, it's not a race! I took the hike path downwards, I would never go back down the same way.. don't know how people did that destroying their knees!

One year ago I made a goal to complete the incline. This was after having many major surgeries. As you will read this no easy feat. It was a great hike and the opportunity to be with God and his beautiful outdoors. My time up was 1 hour. Take your time and enjoy yourself. The concern I had was the inconsiderate people going down the incline, it did not appear as they were regulars. Also the Barr trail could have used a few more signs for the beginner. A lot of folks were not totally sure where the trail was.

If you exercise on a regual basis and are willing to take breaks you can do the incline! However this is not an activity that should be done on a whim. Unless you are acclimated to the thin air take a few days before you tackle the incline. We came from sea level and made it to the top! Be sure to have water for both the climb up and the 4 mile trail down. If you normally hike with a pole, bring it you'll be gald you did. Take your time, enjoy the view, break when you need it, and celebrate at the top.

Do not underestimate what is involved here. I have lived in Colorado for 29 years, and have had three decades to get acclimated to the altitude, so this is not an issue. I have carried my snow skis to ski hike-to terrain for many years, hiking up Aspen's Highland Bowl, a 782 foot elevation gain, in ski boots. I have hiked to the top of Breck's Peak 6 and 8, at 13,000 feet in elevation. It is not like I have not done things like this before.

The Manitou Springs Incline ate me for breakfast. Yes, I made it to the top. Eventually. 1 hour and 45 minutes later. Five bottles of water. Exhausted. REALLY exhausted.

Having the most arrogant, self-congratulatory, tough-person attitude is not going to get you to the top. Being "in-shape" is not enough. You really need to be someone who trains hard, regularly, runs marathons often and who has lived at high-altitude for years, if not your entire life.

Do not underestimate this, or you are risking serious injury or even death. It has happened before. I utter respect folks who can run this in amazing, unfathomable times, but that is going to be a fraction of a fraction of percent of the healthiest of healthy population. That MIGHT be you, but if you have any doubts whatsoever, then it probably is not you.

Take plenty of water, unless you plan to commit suicide - at least 5-6 bottles, or more. Take a hat, sunscreen, climbing athletic shoes and pace yourself.

This is not to be underestimated.

I am a pretty fit 56 year old grandma, but was skeptical about attempting the climb. I was, however, so glad I overcame my skepticism and tried it. There were lots of very friendly people giving support. I downloaded the Manitou Incline app on my phone which was a great help. It times your climb as well as tells you how far along you are on your climb as you go. The climb itself was hard, but I would definitely do it again. The views at the top were amazing! I took the Barr Trail down and it seemed to take forever. Maybe I would attempt going down the stairs next time, although my fear of heights might convince me otherwise. Either way it was definitely an amazing experience for anyone who is in good shape and has been exercising for a while.

We have a family of six and everybody found it wonderful. We had a great time! My ten year old daughter, my twelve and fifteen year old sons and I climbed it.If you don’t feel like doing the steps you can climb up using the Barr trail as my wife and four year old son did. It is extremely exhausting but can be done as we made it in 52 minutes. It’s really nice as every hundredth step is marked so you know when you’re halfway. Everybody was encouraging and said things like “Good job. You’ve got this.” A very rewarding cheer and view from the top. Overall, amazing.

Such a great workout. A mile long, not easy though, since it's very steep. A must try when in Colorado. Will do it again soon.

2768 steps almost vertical (in spots). Well worth it and a very solid work out. Not to mention the 3 mile hike back.
Great way to kick off the 4th of July!

We went around 9am with my kids 6&8 and we made it in an hour and 13 minutes having never done it before. Bring DOUBLE the water you think you will need. We brought 3 big bottles (16.9oz) plus a little one and we still ran out at the top and we still had the barre trail to go down. I would recommend at least two bottles of water per person. Also bring snacks to feed the chipmunks. They were so cute and come right up to you looking for a handout but unfortunately we hadn’t brought any snacks. We loved it and want to do it again. Definitely park in the free parking and take the bus. We walked from the parking lot to the incline and it was a LONG walk. We took the bus on the way out.

I absolutely love The Incline came here Sept 2018 w a group of family only me & 2 of my kids did it!

We found the incline by accident while looking for the (closed we found out) cog train up Pikes Peak. It's quite steep but there are many places to stop and take a short break. There were some folks who obviously train there quite a bit as they were running up the stairs and down the trail (not recommended) while the rest of us were happy with every 50 steps we made. You gradually find yourself with the same group of people as you make your way up the incline, taking breaks at the same time and supporting each other on the way up. Quite a feeling of accomplishment, as well as an awesome view, when you get to the top. Once you start up the steep part it's very difficult for the average person to go back down the steps as they are very steep so you are pretty much committed at that point. There is a trail at 1700 steps to get you back down the mountain if you don't feel you can make the final 1000, but hang in there, you'll get there. Typically takes 3-4 hours for the full round trip.

This is n EXTREME hike. No matter how often you hike it you get a great butt kicking workout, hence the love hate. Pace yourself, take your time, enjoy the views, rest a needed. No restrooms at the top. No trash cans along the way. Parking at Iron Springs Chateau is a great deal unless you take the free shuttle. Stay on the trail. Of you slip its a rough ride down.

This was my second time visiting Colorado Springs and my 2nd time going up the famous Manitou incline. This was the first time doing it in the summer. Being from Ohio, my body is not used to the thinner air in the mountains. The hardest part about going up is the breathing part. I did have to stop and take several short breaks before proceeding further up the mountain. However, I believe from start to finish it took me approx. 55 minutes, which isn't too bad, considering I know others were taking an hour and a half or more.

The views on the way up were absolutely beautiful! The trail on the way down is approx. 3 miles and much easier than going up - we actually jogged a good portion of the way down since it wasn't super busy.

Parking is the only thing that is a challenge. We had to park a few miles away and take a shuttle (which was all free), to the incline. It wasn't real inconvenient and it was good to know we didn't have to walk from the large parking lot.

I love this hike, It is intense, but it's worth it.
The view from the top is amazing as it is the feeling to accomplish to the last step.
I highly recommend it .

This is a must if you're in Manitou and you're in reasonably decent shape. We'd heard several people tell us it should take about an hour. We're a 54 and 56 year old couple and were able to finish it in 45 minutes. It's not easy! Go early because the sun is hot (we were there in June). We started around 8AM on a Saturday. It was busy, but not obnoxious. The trail down is fun. Definitely bring water and wear protection from the sun.
We stayed in town and walked, so parking wasn't an issue. There is a free trolley though.

My wife and I are avid runners, but this climb was not easy. If you aren't somewhat fit, I wouldn't recommend starting because there is no easy way down.

The switchback 4-mile hike back down takes even longer, but the scenery is gorgeous.

Bucket list! I've been wanting to hike this incline for years but have been afraid. I like to run half marathons; I workout at the gym. I'm in good shape but I'm a Midwestern gal from Kansas. I wasn't sure I could handle the climb in the altitude. Well, I did it! I enjoyed the free parking, caught the bus to the base. October 2020, it's open with reservations. I made it up with several photo ops and resting stops in just over an hour. I enjoyed the hike down; another 3 miles in just over an hour. This was a full afternoon adventure but I was thrilled to conquer the Manitou Incline. A great sense of satisfaction!!

For context, I’m an almost 50 year old US Army Officer from Kentucky, and I reached the top in 47 minutes with a moderate pace. It was every bit as tough as people have stated, but what a great workout! Also, the view from the top was simply amazing! I highly recommend this climb to anyone who is in reasonably good physical condition. It is definitely more challenging if you’re not acclimated to the altitude, but well worth it if you love the feeling of accomplishment after a strenuous workout. I saw a lot of people take the steps back down, but I opted to jog the 4-mile winding trail back to the bottom of the hill. It’s considerably slower but far less dangerous. Good luck!

Pay for parking but recognize you get 90 minutes. We paid for parking but our ascent and decent took longer and we were rewarded with a $70.00 violation- that is excessive. Whereas I planned to host a meal in Manitou Springs eatery to those that participated in the climb, I opted to spend my money elsewhere. As mentioned the Incline was was great and we enjoyed the "bonding adventure" too bad we didn't have the same experience with the city. Short sighted policy from my perspective.

This is a steep climb on an old cog railway. Make sure to take your time and bring lots of water. You can take a trail down instead of the cog steps used to go up. Beautiful views.

From what I saw of the trail it was gorgeous. I'm sure the view from the top is even more spectacular!! To be fair I am overweight and a smoker, so making this journey was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I made it almost half way up to the top though. My daughter and sister did make it and they said it was AMAZING! It was cool to see some people practically sprinting up it though and gave me something to strive for. It also made me feel better knowing that I wasn't the only one who had to turn back around.

My husband and I are in the process of getting into shape and decided to make it a goal to climb up the incline. Although it wore us out, it was worth the climb. The views are incredible. We enjoyed this hike more than we did the hike up Mount Bierdstat. We think this is a great place to hike over and over again in preparation to hike another "easy" fourteener.

My husband and I, ages 61 and 57, decided to challenge ourselves a couple of days prior to our ascent of a 14er. We made it in a little over an hour. It was a memorable experience in itself, but even moreso because a large group of firefighters was making the climb that day as a 9/11 tribute. We were also surrounded by a large group of military members and we were pleasantly surprised that we were able to keep up with most of them. This was a memorable experience and a confidence builder!

This was the first thing I did in Colorado, I was reading reviews it would take 45 minutes to an hour, not at all for me. It took me like 3-3.5 hours to go up and go down, it was also raining and wet so that added more time for me. At the top I could hardly walk but it was a good experience, it's also pretty hard to go back down because of the weird steps.

The view from the top isn't great, you get better views and pictures along the way so I would encourage to take pictures along the way climbing up if you're visiting.

Have fun! This is not for someone not in shape. If you can make it to the top I would say you're in pretty fair shape :)

Parking is 10 dollars but you can park down the hill for free and take the free bus.

An extreme challenge that rewards you with a breathtaking view from the top. A complete climb is not for those in sub-par physical condition or new to the altitude. If you are in average to good physical condition, consider this a hike for your bucket list! Water is mandatory....light snack is recommended..you will work hard to accomplish this!

Awesome location for some great cardio training. A hiking trail which uses railroad ties to gain 2,000' in elevation. More than 2,700 steps to the top.

I’ve been to the area many times and always wanted to do this. This was the time. Made it to the top. My legs are feeling it today but worth it!

HOLY HARD BATMAN!!! But absolutely worth it!! We didn't train at all for this (we probably should've) but we were able to complete it in 1 hour and 1.5 hours (I have short legs). I wore tennis shoes but in retrospect should've worn my hiking boots. Not just for the trail but the trail after. We did not take the stairs down, we did the hike instead and I highly recommend it!! I would plan for another 1-1.5 hours of hiking down the mountain to make it back to the base area!! We also walked through the town after that and did some sight seeing, shopping and grabbed some pizza at a little place in town that was also amazing!! (Ruffranos hells kitchen pizza).

This place is truly unique. Narrow streets with little houses have a real European mountain village feel to it. Many small shops and restaurants right under the mountain. Worth the visit. Even if you simply drive through it.

Get there early as it can get very busy. Free parking about a mile away with free bus ride to the base. Take plenty of water, especially on hot days and pace yourself. Nice walk down on Barr trail. all well signposted for first time walkers.

I'd booked far enough ahead to secure first row seats on the three-seat side. Quite the ride with no one in front of us! Liked the narrative, although the overhead speaker directly above us had a strange tone to it that after a few hours, made one want to plug their ears. The new visitor center is spacious and inviting. The35 minutes we spent at the top was just enough.

Only 2 of four out of our family made it all the way to the top. The climb is hard physically if your out of shape or afraid of nights. It gets harder the higher you go. My 13 yr old was able to complete the full climb. Bring tons of water.

This was one of the most fun activities that I enjoyed while in Colorado Springs! It's such a unique adventure and well worth the effort. Please understand that this is not easy, and you should be in excellent health and good shape before you attempt it. Having said that, pace yourself and before you know it, you're at the top enjoying one of the best views in Colorado Springs. Don't even think of coming down the stairs, unless you're ready to say good bye to your knees. Take the beautiful, 4 mile Barr trail to the bottom

Climbed the Incline in April 2019. Great workout in overcast, soft rain conditions. The sun was out by my summit, and the views are amazing. I’m no athlete and not a CO native; it’s critical to stay hydrated and go at your own pace but I didn’t need to acclimate for two weeks as stated in some comments. That may vary by person. I hit it on my first day in town (from Missouri). Bring a big dose of determination and you’ll leave with a huge sense of accomplishment! Loving CO in the off-season, no crowds and wonderful encounters with encouraging people who have been there, done that!

I've hiked the Manitou Incline several times over the past decade, but this was my first time hiking it since renovation. All of the dilapidated steps have been replaced, making for a much safer ascent, and markers are located every 100 steps allowing hikers to track progress.

As always, this was very physically challenging but rewarding. The views of Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods are spectacular throughout the hike. There is plenty of room at the top for hikers to rest and have a snack. If you hike a bit further on (take a right at the fork, hike for a quarter mile), you will reach an outlook that provides unmatched views of Pikes Peak. Note that hikers who summit are discouraged from going DOWN the Incline; there is a connector trail that starts left of the summit that hooks up to Barr Trail for an easier descent.

Make sure to bring water and a snack for the top, and dress in layers. If you are not fit or have an underlying health condition (i.e. asthma or diabetes), THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR YOU. For many hikers, however, the mental game provides the biggest challenge. Put away the ego, take breaks as needed, and you'll make it!

My hubby and I couldn’t wait to tackle the Manitou Incline on our recent trip to Manitou Springs! We gave ourselves a few days to acclimate to the altitude and then gave it a shot! We climbed well over 2,000 stairs and my legs felt it the next day! The views were outstanding and there is a beautiful hike you can take on the way down...we opted for that instead of navigating ourselves back down the incline. The incline isn’t for the faint of heart, but you’ll be really glad you did it!

Just know what you are getting into before you start the incline! There were a few people who took a couple of steps, looked up and decided it wasn't for them. It's steep, uneven and definitely a challenge! If you are not acclimated to the altitude it is going to be even more difficult. I suggest starting early (it heats up quickly and you will get hot climbing 2,744 steps) and take plenty of water. There is a bail out point right before 1800 steps where you can take the Barr trail back down. The steps are numbered in increments of 100 so you know how far you've gone.

This is a “butt-kicker” but is such a great thing to do...nothing like it! Lots of encouragement and comradeship along the way and oh the feeling of that last step! Some Advice-wear good hiking or athletic shoes, dress in layers (can be windy and chilly at the top and warm at the start), water and prepare to be humbled!

the experience was beautiful going through the forest to the top. Glad to see the visitor center is nearly finished.

Well..it is a giant, outdoor stair climber...0.9 miles of straight up folks !!! If you take your time it is doable for most...not easy but plenty of places to stop and take a few breaths...take the Barr Trail down the hill( 3 miles).

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of hiking up the incline. We are fit and in our forties but the altitude gets to me a lot, being from Maryland. He was faster than me because of my accelerated breathing and heart rate, but he waited for me to catch up from time to time. We met another couple from Iowa along the way who were our same pace. We had fun with them, keeping up with each other. We both would do it again when visiting the area. Hiking down Barr Trail was gorgeous on the way back down!

This is one heck of a climb. I'm in reasonable shape, run and exercise regularly, but this was one of the toughest things I've done. It's not that it takes that long or that you have to continue without stopping or anything, but it is really, really steep! I've been on black ski runs that were considerably flatter!
I went with my wife in Nov 2018 and we were easily able to park right at the base of the climb at midday on a Sat. The climb is on steps the whole way, mostly railway ties but with some metal and stone bits. In early Nov, there were icy patches and my wife turned around fairly soon after the start, recognizing that with her footwear, it wasn't a good idea.
After an initial fairly steep grade, the ascent proper begins, with a slope of up to 68% in the steepest sections. I found I was having to stop fairly regularly just to catch my breath, but could carry on again after a few seconds, and most others were doing the same.
Be warned, there is a "false summit" which makes you feel you're approaching the top but when you crest it, you realize there's still a way to go. As long as you know this, it's not too bad. The views at the top were wonderful and the air is clear and it's one of those feel-good places where everyone is very happy to have made it and in a good mood as a result!
The walk down the Barr trail on the backside takes at least as long, as it's over 3 miles, so make sure you plan for that.

Overall a great experience and I'm really glad to have done it.

My son (17) and I (47 yr old female) climbed the incline early Sunday morning. We had decided to get up early at 5:30 and make the 30 minute drive from our hotel, arriving around 6:15am. I'm glad we did this early. No issues parking. The parking lot right at the incline trailhead only takes credit and debit cards. There were already lots of folks on the trail, including a couple of young kids. Both my son and I are runners and we are fairly fit. We live in New England, so I was a little afraid of the altitude, but we had been in CO for 4 days at this point. I did make sure both of us were well hydrated the day before. This was the last day of our trip and we needed to be back to our hotel to shower and checkout before noon.

The first 500 steps went by quickly. The steps are labeled by 100s, which is handy to track progress. Both of us moved steadily up the incline - my son faster than I. At 1800 steps, we pulled off for a 5 minute rest. We brought 60 oz of water apiece, which was more than enough for both of us. I recommend a backpack or fanny pack with a water bottle holder. Both of us needed our hands at different points of the incline. Watch out for people coming back down the stairs! I was looking at the stairs in front of me and had a couple of close calls.

After the rest at the intersection with the Barr trail, we headed up the steepest section of trail. Once you reach the false summit, the trail flattens out slightly, then it is a short push to the end. The last 300 steps were the hardest for me. I concentrated on taking 25 steps at a time, resting for 4 breaths, then another 25. I finished in 62 minutes; my son was a bit faster, but he is a lot younger.

The Barr trail back down was beautiful. Great views and a fun trail. The trail is very dusty and has a lot of loose gravel, but is not dangerous. Lots of people run down it, so you will need to pull over frequently to let them blast past you.

Overall, we spent 2.5 hrs at the Incline. It was a perfect way to end our trip. Both of us arrived back in CT with sore leg muscles and great pictures of the views.

As an unfit woman I made it up 1,800 steps. Was exhausting but able to stop and take in the view along the way!

Walked the steps with friends and family on a very hot day. If nearby it is a must.

Bring plenty of water and more !

It’s well worth the effort (it will take a lot) and our youngest (12) needed some encouragement & bribing to get to the top. Our second oldest kid is asthmatic so ensure to bring an inhaler. She needed 7 puffs!

The hike down was as challenging as the incline itself given the heat but again really pleasant.

Definitely recommend this activity as a memory that our family will cherish forever.

There are decent restrooms in the train station at the bottom (the portaloos in the car park are not great) .

My brother and I read about this trial online. There are roughly 2750 steps to climb and the view at the top is worth the effort, especially if you are.not used to the thin air/lower oxygen levels.

I throughly enjoyed this, there is no rush and the there is a separate trail to walk back down.

At the top there are options to follow other trails or go off the path and climb some rocks to the very top for some quiet and peaceful views.

Either way worth a morning or afternoon.

Boy, that was rough. Speaking as a competitive swimmer, that kicked my a**. It’s long, but the feeling of reaching the top is amazing, and the view is worth it. I recommend taking the stairs back down—the trail is about four times longer. As long as you move slowly and steadily, I think anyone from age 12-60 could do it. Bring water and maybe some headphones with motivating music. It’s a long climb, but a good one.

You need to make free reservations online and would suggest an early time. We had 0830 and by the time we got half way up it was hot. I didn’t think it would be to bad as we both exercise all the time. I was so wrong. This is a workout and took nearly 4 hours to go up and then down the 4 mile Barr trail. We Did rest at the top though and took pictures. Plenty of places while going up to stop and rest in the shade. Saw people of all ages and weight doing this and completing it. Just don’t get in a hurry and enjoy the views. Also, bring plenty of water

Hiking the Manitou Incline was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve taken on. It is a serious hike and you need to be well prepared. I had a camelback that held 5 bottles of water and my husband had 6 bottles. We ran out before we even got to the top. Our saving grace was the recommendation of a friend to carry jolly rancher candy to help keep our mouths salivated. That’s what got us down the 4 mile hike down Barr Trail...which was probably the most beautiful trail I’ve ever hiked. My husband is 62 and has had double knee replacement. His knees did great but the breathing was his biggest challenge. We rested many times in shady spots. Remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Don’t rush it!!

Just kidding, it was pretty difficult but doable by anyone in reasonable shape. Saw people of all ages, shapes and sizes. We took off about 7:15 and took our time getting up, we weren’t in any hurry. Stopped along the way to catch our breath and enjoy the views. Don’t skimp on the water, bring plenty. Everyone along the way was friendly and encouraging, it’s a nice community spirit on the Incline. The hike down the Barr Trail is a nice gentle walk after , except for all the people running acting like they owed the trail. Had my heels clipped several times by runners who didn’t bother to let you know they were coming. No trail etiquette. Was hoping to see one do a face plant but no luck there,lol, was a great experience

I know it can get busy but it’s such a great climb/workout. Views are amazing and you can always take the Bar Trail down to save your knees. If coming from sea level, give yourself a day to climatize. A must do.

This place is great...the perfect amount of challenge. I met a lot of cool people on the way up and the back side of the trail was beautiful on the way down. I recorded my adventure and posted it on YouTube. You can find it by searching for Nash Potatoes Outdoor Show. Enjoy!

This is imposing just to view from the bottom - be prepared for an hour or more of intense climbing and high heart rate. It is VERY challenging. The hike down took longer than the climb up so budget that into your plans. Go early to beat the crowds and the heat and take water!

Life changing experience. Take the time up top to reflect and take it all in. I lived there and go as much as possible, many trails,and energy vortexs.

I recommend not doing the manitou incline. Its a tourist trap with garbage parking. I was looking forward to climbing the the incline but because of the lack of parking, my party of 4 couldn't enjoy it. I wish I could give you less stars I will go out of my way to tell anyone and everyone that will listen that your POS mountain isn't worth the dirt its made out of. Fix your stuff

If you are in shape and ready for this the go for it! Totally worth it to climb those 2700+ steps, the steps are recently renovated and are well maintained. It gets hot so have layers to take off and water. The trail down is also beautiful, don’t walk back down the stairs, walk the trail!
10$ for parking below, which is easily avoided by parking in the park inside Manitou and take the free bus that takes you there is 10 minutes. I recommend walking back into town to see more of it. Nice quirky town.

Absolutely challenging, amazing & beautiful! I came across the Manitou Incline on pinterest 3 years ago when I was marathon training. I knew I just had to complete this one day. A few weeks ago while in Colorado for the first time I was able to do so.

We were staying in Manitou Springs so I was able to take the free shuttle to the parking lot- not knowing exactly where to go from there I followed others. I would recommend still taking your time in the beginning (least steep) as you will need your energy! This was a challenge but doable- anyone could do it if you take your time, have water, and just take stops/rests when you need. I completed the incline in 57 minutes. My husband was around the same time too- though we had to go separately as we were on vacation with our daughters who were not interested in doing it.

There is a "drop out" point around half way where you can get off the Incline and begin the trek back down on Barr Trail; otherwise you keep going, work it to the summit, and take Barr Trail down from the top (my watch said .92 up the incline, 2.89 down Barr Trail). The views are absolutely beautiful and go on for miles. Though this was a bucket list item for me, I would totally do it again if Im ever in the area!

Well I didn't do it but my husband did in about one hour. He said he thought he was going to die! LOL Take lots of water and a camera and enjoy the sights!

Fun hike, steep and quite a workout. My two teenage daughters, my wife and myself did it in about 3 hours. Coming down isn’t a cakewalk. Take water and breaks you’ll be fine.

Just do it. Don’t over think it. Bring some water, take your time if you need to, and climb this natural beauty.

The Incline is a challenging workout! But I loved it! Especially, when I made it to the top! Luckily it was a cloudy day. Would have been brutal if the sun was beating down on you!

What an amazing workout! (Notice I said workout and not hike.). It was physically challenging yet highly highly rewarding. I’m an avid runner/rower… but for me, the what made this hike really challenging is the elevation. Lots of deep breathing and breaks to make sure I could catch my breath. And on top of that, the view is amazing!!!!!! It is a must do!
A couple things to keep in mind.
1. Parking is limited. Consider getting there early or reserving a parking spot.
2. Start early. During summer months, it can warm up, even early in the day. The earlier you start, the less of the sweltering heat you have to endure.
3. Bring lots of water. There are none along the trail. It’s better to bring extra than to risk dehydrating.
4. Restrooms. From what I saw, there were only restrooms at the trailhead.
5. Pace yourself. You start at 6600 feet and end at 8550. Take your time and take breaks…. especially if you are not used to high elevations.
6. Make reservations. Unfortunately, there is a limited number of hikers they allow on the trail. You must submit a reservation online in advance. Good new, reservations are free of charge.

We had reservations for 7:30 am. We parked in the Hiawatha Parking Lot (just scanned the QR code) and took the bus to the Cog Railroad. If you need more time parking, you can just add it from your phone!
The weather was beautiful for mid-July. Started out at 59 degrees and cloudy. The sun came out and it felt hot, but thankfully, the cloud coverage returned!

It is a tough work-out. However, you can take lots of breaks! I kept telling myself it was not a race. I would bring lots of water, especially if it is hot out. I actually felt like the first 1,200 steps were the hardest (and they weren't the steepest). By the time I got to around 1,800 where you can exit and take the Barr trail back down, I knew I would make it to the top.

The trail down is much easier!

People should know this trip can be kind of boring. This is probably third time for me because family want to try it but just know it’s a ride for 1 1/2 hour with first half all trees and last half some views. The biggest issue to me is size of seats, I fit in a regular seat, the majority of people on the cog did not! Plus add winter coats. Last trip most were looking at their cellphones, this trip a lot just sitting there half asleep. It would be nice for the incline to make it more interesting or something more fun.