Stairway to Heaven - Manitou Incline

Written by: Tushar Sharma

The Manitou Incline is one of the most unique and challenging hikes in Colorado. Originally built as a cable car track to carry materials for a pipeline, it has been transformed into a "stairway to heaven" (or hell, depending on your fitness level) that gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile.

I went for this hike with my colleague today, and it was every bit as strenuous as they say. It's essentially 2,744 steps of varying heights, often at a 40% grade (and up to 68% in some spots!).

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The Experience

The "False Summit"

Around step 1,800, you hit what looks like the top. This is the infamous "False Summit." It has broken the spirits of many hikers. When you reach it, you realize there are still nearly 1,000 steps left. My advice: don't look up, just focus on the step in front of you.

Logistics

Altitude: Manitou Springs is at ~6,400 feet, and the top of the Incline is at ~8,600 feet. If you're coming from sea level, the thin air is a bigger challenge than the steps themselves.
Hydration: I can't emphasize this enough—bring more water than you think you need.

The Way Down: Barr Trail

While some people run back down the steps (which is incredibly hard on the knees and technically prohibited by some local guidelines for safety), we took the Barr Trail back down. It's about a 4-mile trek down, but it's a beautiful, winding path that is much gentler on the legs. Along the way, you might even see the Pikes Peak Cog Railway passing by.