When it comes to quality-of-life rankings, national publications consistently give high marks to Colorado Springs. As to why, look west.

There looms Pikes Peak, spotted below by Garden of the Gods and more geologic wonder in Red Rock Canyon Open Space, all against foothills littered with cherished parks and open spaces. You can look the other direction, too: craggy bluffs, woods and meadows forming the nature escapes we love close to downtown.

This is what sets such a growing metro apart. It’s the opportunity to immerse in wild places, and then minutes later to enjoy the food, drink and other spoils of a city.

We delight in trail runs and bike rides before and after work. Come the weekend, our choices are endless. That’s the hard part: deciding where to go.

Allow us to guide you on a few trails we love, covering different parts of the city:

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St. Mary’s Falls

In North Cheyenne Cañon Park, Helen Hunt Falls is the easy waterfall of choice, with a parking lot situated at its base. During summer, tourists flock there, while locals embark on a trip with greater reward. Such is the promise of St. Mary’s Falls, the cascade hiding in the park’s outer boundaries, tucked amid the rocks and trees of Pike National Forest.

Start from North Cheyenne Cañon’s uppermost “hub” parking lot, where Gold Camp Road meets High Drive. Be sure to arrive early in summer months as parking spots fill quickly. Plus, you’ll want to give yourself time on the rather arduous trip before afternoon storms develop.

The masses on foot and wheels converge on Gold Camp Road, with plenty of side paths along the way to break up crowds. Fewer go the full length, to where the road ends near a historic tunnel. At an overlook of the city, the trail to St. Mary’s Falls starts, narrowing in the fragrant forest of pine and aspen.

We found the falls marked as 1.6 miles — an underestimation according to our tracker. The trail follows the melodious creek, a soothing stretch before a harsh ascent.

Our tracker read 2.37 miles at a split; go right uphill, ambling over log steps. The thin trail climbs along a hillside with views of steep slopes and granite promontories.

A post points right for a wilder trip to Mount Rosa, several miles away. Continue straight to the base of the falls. Some ascend over rocks to the top of the cascade, but this is a slippery, dangerous proposition.

Trip log: 6.3 miles, 1,316 feet elevation gain, 8,849 feet max

Difficulty: Difficult

Getting there: From the main entrance of North Cheyenne Cañon Park, drive about 3 miles to upper parking lot.

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 1- April 30; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May 1-Oct. 31. Recommended for hiking only. Icy in winter; bring traction.

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Rattlesnake Ridge

Along the upper reaches of Ute Valley Park, it’s easy to appreciate this wild parcel on the city’s north side. It’s easy because the wildness appears in such stark contrast to the views of the neighborhoods. Houses can be seen all around before breaking here at this preserve of meadows, woods, side canyons and rock outcrops.

Yes, gratitude arrives to one along a higher trail. The trail, for instance, along Rattlesnake Ridge. This is the long, rocky spine defining the park view from the Vindicator trailhead. A warning: The ridge is known to live up to its name, particularly in summer, when snakes are most active. Be especially aware if you plan to bring a dog.

Facing the ridge from the parking lot on this visit, we went right — opposite of the foot bridge and pond — taking the wide trail trending northwest toward the view of pointy, unmistakable Blodgett Peak. The trail parallels Vindicator Drive before escaping up a steep, rocky hill.

At the top, spot the slim trail switchbacking to your left. It enters the trees, swooping down rocks and roots. For mountain bikers, the park classifies the bumpy trail as black diamond.

At a split, we took the upper path to the right. The trail exits the woods for open air, with clear, closer views of Rattlesnake’s craggy crown. At just shy of a mile, the path roams on to more trail connections. We opted to descend at last visit. Our tracker read 1.26 miles when we reached the wide return path, going left. This borders a side canyon, affording more views below. At the bottom “Y,” hang a right back to the parking lot.

Trip log: 2 miles, 208 feet elevation gain

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Getting there: From Interstate 25, take exit for Woodmen Road. Drive west on Woodmen/Rockrimmon Boulevard. Turn right on Vindicator Drive and continue to trailhead parking lot.

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 1-April 30; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May 1-Oct. 31. Multi-use, non-motorized trails. Dogs on leash. Icy in winter; bring traction.

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Templeton Trail

Colorado Springs founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer would be proud of his namesake park — a rugged paradise of colorful bluffs, thick forests and mesa tops, feeling far removed from the city yet located near the heart of it.

By our estimate, there’s no greater tour of the park than Templeton Trail.

We will do our best with directions, but anyone familiar with Palmer Park knows the trail system can be confusing. Recent years have seen the additions of directional signs. The paths tend to come together, ensuring one is never truly lost. And, after all, we’re in the middle of the city.

At the Yucca Flats parking lot, you’re already spoiled with an amazing view of Pikes Peak. On this trip, we started on the wide path on the north side of the lot and turned right for Templeton. It’s marked with double black diamonds — a fair warning for mountain bikers. Pinon and juniper soon clear for a jumble of rock outcrops and hoodoos. Upper and lower paths converge at the trail continuing into tall woods.

Stay straight at the next four-way and straight again at the next split. Templeton follows a ridge featuring a buffet of vistas: Mount Herman to the north, Cheyenne Mountain to the south, Mount Rosa and Garden of the Gods in between. On a clear day, the Spanish Peaks are spotted far south.

The trail continues beside massive rock walls and upward over more rocks. Our tracker read 2.3 miles when we came to a post pointing left for Templeton. We veered right at the next post and stayed straight at the next. Near 3 1/2 miles at a “T,” we hung left, following the trail back to the parking lot.

Trip log: 4.26 miles, 348 feet elevation gain

Difficulty: Easy/moderate on foot, technical for bike

Getting there: At park entrance on Maizeland Road, stay left at the “Y” for Lazy Land and follow to Yucca Flats parking lot.

FYI: Park closes at 9 p.m. year-round. Multi-use, non-motorized trails. Dogs on leash. Icy in winter; bring traction.