12 easy hikes in Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region for beginners
By
The GazetteMarch 29, 2018 | updated 8 years ago
#1. Garden of the Gods Park Difficulty: Easy Rated the #1 U.S. park by TripAdvisor, you’ll find both paved and gravel trails that wind through magnificent red rock formations and offer stunning views of Pikes Peak. Off-leash dog area between Rock Ledge Ranch & 30th St. Learn more here. (Christian murdock)
You can go extreme with hikes up Pikes Peak, but there are several beginner hiking and biking options that let you find nature’s beauty around Colorado Springs.Here are a dozen options courtesy of visitcos.com
#1. Garden of the Gods Park Difficulty: Easy Rated the #1 U.S. park by TripAdvisor, you’ll find both paved and gravel trails that wind through magnificent red rock formations and offer stunning views of Pikes Peak. Off-leash dog area between Rock Ledge Ranch & 30th St. Learn more here. (Christian murdock)#12. South Slope Recreation Area Difficulty: Easy to Moderate This area recently opened to the public after being off limits for more than 100 years. Access is by permit only on the ColoradoSprings.gov website. The 4.7-mile trail (one-way) takes you past three reservoirs, through meadows and offers a unique view of the south side of Pikes Peak. Learn more here. (The Gazette)#11. Mueller State Park Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Scenic wildlife viewing of elk, bighorn sheep and birds on 5,511 acres of land with 55 miles of hiking & biking trails. No dogs. Entrance fee. Learn more here. (The Gazette)#10. Mt. Cutler Difficulty: Easy This one-way trail parallels N. Cheyenne Canon Road and heads up to the summit. Along the way, you’ll see great views of Stratton Open Space, Seven Falls and Will Rogers Shrine. Learn more here. (The Gazette)#9. Paint Mines Interpretive Park Difficulty: Easy Rich in both animal and plant life, the park’s gentle trails take you by overhangs, spires, hoodoos, carved walls and chasms that are in beautiful colors such as golden yellow, rose pink, snowy white and mauve. No dogs. (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)#8. Midland Trail Difficulty: Easy This 5-mile trail runs from the town of Manitou Springs to American the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs; some parts of the trail are on streets. Learn more here. (Christian Murdock, The Gazette)#7. Fountain Creek Park Difficulty: Easy View wildlife, marshes, streams and ponds as you hike these gentle and shaded trails. Learn more here. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)#6. Bear Creek Dog Park Difficulty: Easy Located near the foothills, this 25-acre off-leash park provides dogs and their owners with a variety of hiking options; great amenities such as shade, creek, small-dog area, agility course and restrooms. Named a top-10 US dog park and considered to be among the region’s finest. Learn more here. (The Gazette)#5. Austin Bluffs Open Space Difficulty: Easy to Moderate This area is known for unique rock formations created by the most recent geological uplift. The 585 acres can be accessed via two trailheads. Learn more here. (The Gazette)#4. Palmer Park Difficulty: Easy to Moderate 737-acre wildlife preserve offering hiking and biking on a mesa overlooking the city. Enclosed dog park as well as a separate off-leash area with incredible views. Learn more here.#3. Cheyenne Mountain State Park Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Just south of Colorado Springs you can explore nature’s diversity on 2,700 acres with prairie-to-peak ecosystems on 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. Dogs are welcome. Entrance fee. Learn more here. (The Gazette)#2. Red Rock Canyon Open Space Difficulty: Easy to Moderate A variety of trails wind along the canyons and ridges of red rock and provide great views of Garden of the Gods. These trails connect to many other hiking trails in the area. There are two off-leash dog loops and a free-ride bike park. Learn more here. (Christian Murdock, The Gazette)
