Manitou Incline

About 2,011 ft of climbing in 0.88 miles, on 2,768 steps (the city's count). It starts next to the Barr Trail in Manitou Springs. Every hiker needs a free reservation and a signed waiver.

Incline time estimator

Pick your date, your arrival window and your pace. You get the climb, the walk down and when to park.

How the estimate works

Naismith's rule, the same rule as our Barr Trail calculator: one hour per 3 miles plus one hour per 2,000 ft of climbing. For 0.88 mi and 2,011 ft that gives 1 h 18 min at an average pace. The rule was written for ordinary mountain walking, not for a staircase at a 45% average grade, so treat it as a rough guide. That is why the result always shows the published figure next to it: Visit Colorado Springs says the average hiker takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Our own assumptions, not published figures: the pace factors (0.85, 1.0, 1.2), 15% slower on the climb if you have not been above 8,000 ft lately, the descent at 3 mph, and a 30-minute margin to park and reach the base. The city asks visitors from lower elevations to acclimate for a few days before the hike.

When do Incline reservations open?

On the 1st of every month the city opens the following month, alongside the current month. So on any day you can book through the end of next month. The city also describes this as "up to 8 weeks in advance". The time of day of the release is not published.

Reserve on the City of Colorado Springs site

Reservation rules

• Free, but required. No reservation available means no hike, even if you are already in Manitou Springs.
• Waiver every time. Each person in the booking signs a new waiver for each reservation, even repeat hikers.
• 30-minute arrival window. 45 reservations per half hour. You can start any time in your window, and there is no time limit to finish.
• Groups of up to 8. The city does not allow larger parties.
• Can't make it? No need to cancel. Running late is fine: the city says to take your time and arrive safely.
• The city uses reservations to forecast numbers and contact hikers. Attendants do not check them at the base, but the reservation is still required.

Hours and closures

Access outside these hours is prohibited year-round. The Incline closes now and then for special events or maintenance; the city posts closures on the Colorado Springs Parks Facebook page. We found no published rule for weather or ice closures, so check that page on the morning you go. In winter, Manitou Springs suggests micro-spikes or other traction for icy steps.

Parking for the Incline

The base sits in a narrow canyon, so parking is the hard part. Plan time to park and reach the base before your window.

The free shuttle

The city lists a free shuttle from The Duck Stop (corner of Old Man's Trail and Manitou Ave) to the Incline, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It does not run on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or New Year's Day. You can also walk from the lot instead of waiting.

• Route 33, Manitou Springs Shuttle: Monday to Friday 6 AM to 5 PM every 15 minutes, then every 30 minutes to 8 PM. Weekends 6 AM to 5 PM every 10 minutes, then every 30 minutes to 8 PM. The city lists it as zero fare from March 29 to October 24, 2026; the fare after that is not on the page.
• Route 3: Dillon Mobility Hub to The Duck Stop, fare-free in a pilot since March 2026. It also connects to Old Colorado City and downtown Colorado Springs.

Check the current fare and winter timetable with Mountain Metro before you rely on a bus.

On the way up: bail-out points

The elevation affects everyone differently. If it is too much, use an exit instead of turning around on the steps.

• Step 396: connect to the Ute Pass trail, about 1/3 mile back to the trailhead.
• Step 1300, roughly halfway: Ute Pass trail again, about 1.5 miles back to the base.
• Barr Trail bailout, about two-thirds of the way up: a Barr Trail switchback passes a few yards from the Incline.

Just above the Barr Trail bailout is the steepest part, up to the false summit about three-quarters of the way up. From there you still have several hundred feet to climb. There is no vehicle access: anyone injured has to walk or be carried down.

Getting down: the Barr Trail

From the top, a short tie-in joins the Barr Trail. The way down is about 2.79 miles on a much gentler slope. Manitou Springs recommends hiking poles for it. The Barr Trail is also the route to the summit of Pikes Peak; see the Barr Trail hike time calculator.

What to bring

• Water. There is none on the trail. The city also suggests drinking well the evening before.
• Snacks, sunscreen and a hat. Much of the trail is exposed.
• Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip.
• In cooler months: layers, gloves and a windproof jacket. In winter: micro-spikes for ice.
• A bag for your trash. There are no trash cans on the Incline; the nearest is at the trailhead.

Rules

• No pets, not even in a backpack.
• No smoking, no open fires, no littering.
• No shortcuts or new trails on the way down.
• Use headphones for music and do not feed wildlife.

The numbers

• 2,768 steps by the city's count. Wikipedia notes the count changes with maintenance (2,744 as of September 2025).
• 2,011 ft of climbing in about 0.88 mi; average grade 45%, up to 68% (Wikipedia).
• Base about 6,500 to 6,600 ft (sources disagree), top about 8,590 ft.
• Built in 1907 as a funicular railway for water-tank construction; reopened as a hiking route with reservations in 2020.

Make a day of it

Stay in Manitou Springs and you can walk to the Incline, the Barr Trail and the Cog Railway: where to stay. Pair it with Garden of the Gods on the same trip.

Facts on this page last checked 2026-11-03 by the pikespeak.info editor. Rules and prices change; confirm with the operator before you travel. See every figure with its source.