Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the world’s highest cog railway, climbing nine miles from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.
Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, CO
No road trip, no switchback white-knuckling, no altitude-headache hike: you sit down at a depot on Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs and roughly an hour and ten minutes later you step out onto the summit of America’s Mountain. The Swiss-built trains grind up grades steep enough that ordinary rails could never hold them, following Ruxton Creek through Englemann Canyon, past Minnehaha Falls, across the aspen meadows of Deer Park and above treeline, where the view first opens toward the summit. Watch for bighorn sheep, marmots and mule deer on the way up. At the top you get about 40 minutes at the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, the glass-walled building that opened in 2021, with the plains rolling to the east and the Front Range stacked to the north.
The railway dates to 1891, when Zalmon Simmons, the Wisconsin mattress magnate, financed a route to the summit after a slow mule ride up the peak. It ran for more than 125 years before closing in 2017 because its aging infrastructure needed replacing. The Broadmoor, which owns the line, rebuilt it nearly from scratch at a cost reported near $100 million, with new track, new trains and a refurbished depot, and reopened it in May 2021.
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News & Events
See current departures and seasonal trains on the Schedule page for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?
- Summit train ride: Ride nine miles and about 7,500 vertical feet to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.
- Summit Visitor Center: Spend about 40 minutes at the top with exhibits, a cafe and 360-degree views.
- High-altitude donuts: Try the summit’s famous donuts, made with a recipe adjusted for 14,000 feet.
- Engineer’s View seats: Upgrade for a seat with a view out the front of the train.
- Hike or bike one way: Buy a one-way ticket and hike or ride down, or hike Barr Trail up and ride down.
What is nearby the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?
- Manitou Incline: The notorious 2,744-step former cable-car route starts steps from the depot.
- Manitou Springs: A walkable town of mineral springs, galleries, restaurants and the Penny Arcade.
- Garden of the Gods: Towering red sandstone fins and free trails a few minutes east.
- Cave of the Winds Mountain Park: Cave tours and cliffside thrill rides above Williams Canyon.
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings: Ancestral Puebloan stonework preserved just west of town.
When was the Pikes Peak Cog Railway established?
The railway opened in 1891, financed by Zalmon Simmons, founder of the Simmons mattress company. It operated for more than 125 years before closing in 2017 for a complete rebuild by The Broadmoor, reported near $100 million, and reopened in May 2021 with new Swiss-built trains, new track and a renovated depot.
When is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway open?
The railway runs year-round, weather permitting. In summer, trains run roughly from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can sell out up to two weeks ahead; midwinter usually has about two trains a day. The round trip takes about three hours: one hour and ten minutes up, about 40 minutes at the summit and an hour back down. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. Online reserved tickets start at $67 for adults and $57 for children, with walk-up fares at the depot starting at $86. Depot parking costs about $20 for four hours, and a free shuttle runs from overflow parking at Hiawatha Gardens.
Are there any tips for visiting the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?
Pack layers: the summit is often 30 degrees colder than Manitou and windy even in July. Drink water before you go, take the altitude seriously, and move slowly at the top. For the clearest views, book a morning train, since afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. September and early October bring golden aspens and smaller crowds.
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway depot is located at 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Call (719) 685-5401 or visit cograilway.com to book tickets.