Manitou Incline
Thousands of former cable-railway ties climb almost 2,000 vertical feet in under a mile above Manitou Springs. Reserve a time, start conservatively, and use the Barr Trail for descent rather than reversing down the ties.
Artwork inspired by Boardman Robinson
The Manitou Springs Incline, also known as the Manitou Incline or simply the Incline, is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs, Colorado, near Colorado Springs. The Incline ascends Mount Manitou on the east slope of Rocky Mountain which is itself on the eastern flank of Pikes Peak. The trail is the remains of a former 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge funicular railway whose tracks washed out during a rock slide in 1990.
Reserve a time, start conservatively, and use the Barr Trail for descent rather than reversing down the ties. Treat the bailout points as good decisions, not failures; altitude and relentless stair height make ordinary fitness difficult to translate.
- Route
- 2,700+ steps and 2,000-foot climb
- Prepare for
- Descend by Barr Trail
- Allow
- 2–4 hours
Quick guide
- Interpretive pair
- Former cable-rail ties ↔ 2,000-foot ascent
- Closing move
- the route transition that should control pace and turnaround
Four deliberate moves through Manitou Incline
- Plan
- Reserve before choosing parking
- Watch
- Pace the lower steps conservatively
- Pace honestly
- Bailout points are sound decisions, not failed attempts.
- Plan transport
- Parking is off-site and descent belongs on Barr Trail.
Good to know
There is no parking at the base for most visitors, weather exposure is immediate, and downhill traffic on the Incline is strongly discouraged.
Notice these
- Thousands of former cable-railway ties climb almost 2,000 vertical feet in under a mile above Manitou Springs.
- Treat the bailout points as good decisions, not failures; altitude and relentless stair height make ordinary fitness difficult to translate.