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A challenging fitness trail carved from the remains of a tourist tram.


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Map Key

1.1

Miles

1.8

KM

Point to Point

8,703' 2,653 m

High

6,651' 2,027 m

Low

2,052' 626 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

36%

Avg Grade (20°)

54%

Max Grade (28°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views

The Incline is available by reservation only. You can place a reservation here: coloradosprings.gov/parks/p…

Use at your own risk. Incline hours are dawn to dusk.
NO PETS Allowed.
FULL OR PARTIAL CLOSURES: when necessary to perform renovation, construction or maintenance operations.

Uphill travel is recommended.

Description

Looking up from the trailhead "The Incline," as it's referred to, can be somewhat intimidating. It is an ever-steepening staircase that seems to go on forever. This spectacular trail is a relic, it's left over from a tourist tram/cog railway that ran to the top of Manitou Mountain in the early 1900s. After a short, mellow section of trail the grade increases significantly and the views from the higher perspective are wonderful. Looking back east over Colorado Springs and the plains is spectacular.

This is a popular fitness challenge in the Colorado Springs area. Many people try to charge the incline for a quick, hard workout or a personal best. People of all fitness levels enjoy the incline though for it's ease of access, iconic history and spectacular views.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kevin Hadfield with improvements by Alex Trefry

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 109 votes

#8

Overall
  4.7 from 109 votes
5 Star
73%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Colorado

#8

Overall
41 Views Last Month
11,854 Since Feb 2, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
1%
7%
70%
22%

Photos

One of the steeper parts of the Incline.
May 2, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
"The Incline"
Jul 1, 2015 near Manitou…, CO
Presumably well fed chipmunk
Jul 27, 2019 near Manitou…, CO
View from the bottom of "The Incline"
Jul 1, 2015 near Manitou…, CO
Just after the trailhead at the incline.
Jul 9, 2016 near Manitou…, CO
Step it up
Jul 10, 2015 near Manitou…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 60 days ago
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