Barr Trail and Manitou Incline

Barr Trail and the Incline are both extremely popular trails in Manitou Springs. Both locals and tourists come out to test their fitness on the intense slope of the incline. The Incline is a great way to stay fit and take in amazing views in a less than a mile's distace and a two-thousand foot altitude gain. If testing your limits and taking risks is not your thing, Barr trail is right next to it and is a more mellow hike that goes as high as the top of Pikes Peak. Barr trail is also a great way to get down the mountain after you have done the Incline, as the two connect at the top.

Difficulty

Barr Trail

Barr trail is a difficult hiking trail. It is uphill all the way from the start of the trail in Manitou Springs to the top of the trail at the top of Pikes Peak. Most people should be able to hike part of it but I would recommend turning around at some point rather than expecting to get to the top which makes for a long day even for an experienced hiker. To hike to the summit of Pikes Peak, prepare for a long 1 or 2 day trip, along with most likely needing transportation down the mountain afterwards. For a shorter day hike, I personally recommend going to where the Incline meets with Barr and then turning around.

Manitou Incline

The Incline is a short, extremely difficult hike! It is not a trail for hikers that are not in good physical shape. It is just under a mile long and one could expect to take at least an hour for their first time going up. I would not recommend doing the hike in the middle of the day in the summer because it can get really hot. For people looking for a challenge it is a great place to go because of its intensity and challenge.

Is it Busy?

Manitou Incline

Simply put- yes, very! Many people come to the Incline to test their personal fitness. Don’t expect time on the trail without seeing anyone, as everyone wants to try it. It is great for the challenge but not so much for getting time to experience nature alone.

Barr Trail

Barr trail is a bit less busy but many people do still hike it because it is the best (and only) way to hike from Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes Peak. Most of the traffic on it is from people coming down after doing the incline. Once you get above the Inline connection point though the traffic on the trail falls off and you will have a fair bit more space.

Location

Both trails are located at the north end of Manitou Springs, starting at the same location as the Cog railway. You will drive through a neighborhood to get there so don’t be alarmed when you feel like you are of the beaten track when going there. From the main parking lot you start both trails at the same place but about 200 feet up the trail there is a split where you can go straight for the Inline or turn left for Barr Trail.

Maintenance

Both trails are very heavily traveled bit they are still well maintained. The Incline is even closed from time to time so they can keep it up and safe to hike.

Fitness

Incline

The Incline is a great place to get an intense workout, and if you do it regularly you can get into good shape. It is a great place to get in leg day and cardio.

Barr Trail

Barr trail will keep you in shape and is a great place to get in some cardio. To hike to the summit be prepared for an extremely long day, or do it in two. Just doing a shorter out-and-back hike allows you to tailor a hike to your specific time frame and fitness level.

Aesthetic

Incline

Though you are in the woods on the Incline you don’t really feel like it, as it is so busy. This hike isn't done so much for the aesthetics, but rather for the hike itself. Looking back once you get a ways up the Incline rewards you with a view of the city and what you just hiked up.

Barr Trail

The scenery on Barr trail is amazing. At the top you get a great view of Colorado Springs, but the whole way you experience spectacular views and scenery.

Family Friendliness

Incline

The incline is not a place to take children or animals, as they will likely not enjoy it and they might not be in shape to make it to the top. The Incline also includes an element of danger the grade and terrain covered.

Barr trail

Barr is a great place for taking the family on a short hike, but you won’t get all the way to the top. The lower portions are a great family height.

Parking

It costs $5 to park at the base of the trails but there is free parking in Manitou Springs by Soda Springs Park and a shuttle that goes strait to and from the base of the Manitou Incline/Barr Trail.