The Centennial Trail stretches from the heart of Woodland Park north to the Manitou Lake area. This paved accessible trail is truly a trail for all seasons, even during the winter when its convenient in-town location allows residents to escape outdoors for a brisk walk. When the snows start to fade in the spring, longer treks northward become more feasible.

Summer is the peak season for mountain bikers, when conditions are ideal for the 13-mile round-trip venture. When fall rolls around, extensive aspen groves along the trail north of the city fulfill fall color expectations. The trail follows along US 67 and honestly hiking next to a highway is not exactly my cup of tea, but relatively speaking the traffic is not too bad along this stretch of roadway.

The official trailhead is in Woodland Park at a large parking area on the northeast corner of CO 67 and Midland Avenue. A landmark for the trailhead is the historic cog railway car “Myrna”, parked at the south end of the lot with a backdrop of her former workplace on Pikes Peak. At the north end of the lot a large sign provides details about the trail.

Walk over to the highway and begin hiking the adjacent path northward through town along the east side of the road, passing through ponderosa pine woodland that forms the namesake of Woodland Park. After about 1.5 miles the trail swings left, leaving behind the urban trappings and moving into a wilder space.

The trail proceeds through a more open area that provides more sunshine on a chilly day but is less desirable on a windy day. After about another 2.25 miles the path enters forest and reaches a parking lot at the red rocks area, a convenient access point that bypasses the more urban and exposed stretch of trail to this point. Continuing northward the trail passes many aspen groves that provide peak colors from mid-September to early October.

After about another 1.5 miles from the Red Rocks parking area, the trail swings left through a highway underpass and switches to the west side of the highway. After about another quarter mile pass the entrance to South Meadows Campground, where a parking lot outside the campground provides another easy access point for the trail. Continue through the shady pine forest for about another mile to an additional parking area and access point. The trail basically ends here, at a highway bridge just south of Manitou Lake. Hikers and bikers can start at either end of the trail, or pick it up at multiple points in between, making the Centennial Trail a flexible and convenient option for any time of year.

IF YOU GO

PARK/NATIONAL FOREST: City of Woodland Park, Pike National Forest
BEST TIMES TO VISIT: Year round
TRAIL INFO: Centennial Trail
LENGTH: About 13.0 miles out and back and about 1000 feet elevation gain
DIFFICULTY: Easy on terrain, difficult on overall distance but shorter distance options available
NOTES: Snow levels from late fall through late spring may inhibit access to trail

Joe LaFleur has lived in Woodland Park since 2016 and is a hiking enthusiast that hits the trails weekly. He has successfully summited over 150 unique 13ers and 14ers in Colorado. Contact Joe with questions or feedback at joe@betterbirdwatching.com. Hiking is great exercise but can be hazardous. Always be sure to plan well, check the weather, bring a printed map, tell someone where and when you are going and contact them when you return safely.