Manitou Incline
Manitou Incline is Colorado’s most famous stair workout: 2,768 steep steps that gain about 2,000 feet in less than a mile above Manitou Springs, with free timed reservations required.
Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, CO
The Incline began as a cable-car track built to haul materials for pipelines on Pikes Peak and later became a scenic ride for visitors. A 1990 rockslide damaged the track, the railway closed, and the rails were removed — but the old railroad ties turned into an unofficial stairway for locals chasing a brutal workout. In February 2013, a public-private partnership made the climb legally open to everyone. Today the City of Colorado Springs manages it as a bucket-list hike with views across Colorado Springs and the eastern plains. A bailout to Barr Trail sits roughly two-thirds of the way up, and a false summit tests your legs before the true top.
Free reservations and an online waiver are required, with 45 spots released for every half hour. Summer hours, May 1–October 31, are 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; winter hours, November 1–April 30, are 6:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and nobody may climb outside posted hours. Park at the Dillon Mobility Hub at 134 Manitou Avenue, the preferred lot with 91 spaces, and ride fare-free MMT Route 3 or walk up Ruxton Avenue. Iron Springs Chateau at 444 Ruxton Avenue offers cash-only parking at $15 per car for four hours. Do not park in the Barr Lot, which is reserved for Barr Trail users, or on Ruxton Avenue and Winter Street without a residential permit. Pets and smoking are prohibited. Never climb down the steps — descend on Barr Trail or the Northern Return Trail.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: The Manitou Incline by Visitcos (CC BY-SA 4.0); Base of the Manitou Incline May 2013 by Ahodges7 (CC BY-SA 3.0); The Manitou Incline just before the false summit 21 Nov 12 by Ahodges7 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Manitou Incline by Jncraton (CC BY-SA 3.0); Looking down the Manitou Springs Incline from Barr Trail Bailout by Ixbrian (CC BY-SA 4.0); Manitou Incline Barr Trail Bailout by Ixbrian (CC BY-SA 4.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Check closures, current hours and reservation details on the City of Colorado Springs Manitou Incline page for Manitou Springs, CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at the Manitou Incline?
- Climb the steps: Tackle 2,768 railroad-tie steps and roughly 2,000 feet of gain.
- Earn the view: Look out over Colorado Springs and the plains from the top.
- Hike down Barr Trail: Return on the switchbacks instead of the steps.
- Use the bailout: Cut over to Barr Trail about two-thirds of the way up if you need to.
- Explore Manitou Springs: Refuel downtown among mineral springs, cafes and shops.
What is nearby the Manitou Incline?
- Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway: Ride to the 14,115-foot summit from the depot next door.
- Barr Trail: The classic hiking route to the top of Pikes Peak.
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings: Ancestral Puebloan-style dwellings just west of town.
- Cave of the Winds: Cave tours and thrill rides above Williams Canyon.
- Garden of the Gods: Free red-rock park a short drive east.
When did the Manitou Incline open?
The Incline started as a cable-car railway serving Pikes Peak pipeline construction, then carried sightseers until a 1990 rockslide closed it. It opened legally to hikers in February 2013.
When is the Manitou Incline open?
May 1–October 31: 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. November 1–April 30: 6:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. A free reservation and online waiver are required for every climb, and occasional closures happen for events or maintenance.
Are there any tips for visiting the Manitou Incline?
Book your free time slot and sign the waiver before you arrive. Bring plenty of water, sun protection and layers, and pace yourself — the altitude adds to the challenge. Park at the Dillon Mobility Hub and take the bus, leave pets at home, use reusable bottles, and always descend by Barr Trail or the Northern Return Trail, never down the steps.
The Manitou Incline starts at the top of Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Reserve a free time and review the rules at coloradosprings.gov/incline.