Top 10 “Overlooked” Hiking Trails in Colorado Springs

Everyone knows about Garden of the Gods and The Manitou Incline, and if you want our take on those, click on their corresponding links.  But for those of you looking for something different, something off-the-beaten-path (pun intended), or for those of us who have just done those too many times. Here is your unofficial guide to the 10 best “Overlooked” and quite frankly, the most underrated hiking trails in Colorado Springs.

1. Stanley Canyon

Hidden inside the security gates of the Stanley Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy, this trail feels a little like sneaking into a secret Colorado version of a movie set, lol.  Seriously though, if you are looking for a hike with towering rock walls, a narrow creek bed, and a steady climb that get the blood flowing, this is a trail for you!!   You’ll need to pass through Academy security (so bring ID), but there’s no formal entry fee. It’s generally open year-round, though snow and ice can turn the canyon into a far more technical, slippery route in winter, making late spring through fall the sweet spot for this particular trail.

Difficulty Score: 7.5/10
Elevation Gain: ~1,200–1,500 ft
Trail Length: ~3.5–4.5 miles round trip
Trail Use: Hiking (creek crossings / light scrambling)

It’s steeper and more rugged than most casual city-adjacent trails, with loose rock, sustained incline, and a super cool creek crossings, but it’s still approachable for fit hikers who don’t mind a bit of scrambling and elevation gain. The trail starts as a peaceful forest walk, but quickly gains difficulty as the elevation increases, before rewarding the hiker with breathtaking  granite-walled views at the end of the adventure.

2. Mount Muscoco

Tucked into the southern edge of Colorado Springs, the Mount Muscoco is the Epitome of thigh burners…. Sitting within the broader Cheyenne Mountain landscape, this route climbs steadily through scrub oak, open hillsides, and winding switchbacks that open up into big, wide Front Range views that rival what you might be used to seeing at 13,000 ft.
Access is typically through Cheyenne Mountain State Park, which means there is a standard day-use entry fee, and the park operates from sunrise to sunset year-round.

Difficulty Score: 7/10
Elevation Gain: ~1,000–1,300 ft
Trail Length: ~3–4 miles round trip
Trail Use: Hiking

Mount Muscoco sits just slightly below Stanley Canyon in terms of intensity, but don’t let that fool you, it’s not a lot easier. The trail is consistently uphill with long, exposed stretches that can feel deceptively warm in summer and slick after weather changes. Expect a solid climb, a few quality leg-burning sections, and terrain that shifts between smooth trail and loose, rocky footing.

3. Blodgett Peak

The Blodgett Peak Open Space trail is a steep, sustained climb with significant elevation gain, rocky footing, and very little shade as it works its way up to a high viewpoint overlooking Colorado Springs and the Front Range.  Access is free, including parking at the trailhead, making it one of the more straightforward no-cost hikes in the city despite its difficulty.

Difficulty Score: 8.5/10
Elevation Gain: ~1,800–2,000 ft
Trail Length: ~4–5 miles round trip
Trail Use: Hiking

Beware… This is one of the more demanding hikes on the west side of Colorado Springs, with a constant uphill grade, loose rock sections, and exposed terrain that makes the elevation change feel even more intense as you climb higher.
Recommendation: Bring plenty of water, there is no water available on the trail and the exposure can make it feel significantly hotter and more draining than expected.  You got this though!!

4. Eagle Peak

The Eagle Peak trail is a steep, direct climb through rocky terrain with initial wooded sections that quickly transitions into more exposed, uphill hiking as you gain elevation and work toward wide views of the Colorado Springs area and surrounding mountains. Parking and access are typically free at the trailhead.

Difficulty Score: 8/10
Elevation Gain: ~1,400–1,700 ft
Trail Length: ~3–4 miles round trip
Trail Use: Hiking

This is a tough, sustained ascent with little flat recovery, lots of loose rock in sections, and a steady elevation gain that keeps the effort level high from start to finish.  It’s totally manageable for experienced hikers, but it expect a workout the entire way up.

5. Mesa Overlook

The Mesa Overlook trail is a short, direct climb up a rocky hillside above the Broadmoor and Cheyenne Canyon area, where the path quickly gains elevation and then ends at a small overlook with views across Colorado Springs and toward Cheyenne Mountain. Parking and access are free at the trailhead.

Difficulty Score: 6.5/10
Elevation Gain: ~600–800 ft
Trail Length: ~1.5–2.5 miles round trip
Trail Use: Hiking

This is a short but consistently steep grind with loose rock and uneven footing in sections, making it feel more intense than its distance suggests. It’s a quick uphill effort with a straightforward payoff rather than a long endurance hike.  This trail is definitely one of our favorite quick, outdoor, things to do in Colorado Springs!

6. Quail Lake/ Quail Brush Trail

The Quail Lake Trail / Quail Brush corridor near the southern edge of Colorado Springs follows a mostly flat, paved multi-use path that loops around Quail Lake and connects into open space trails with wide views of the lake, prairie, and distant mountains.  Parking and access are free at the main trailheads around Quail Lake Park.

Difficulty Score: 3/10
Elevation Gain: ~0–150 ft
Trail Length: ~2–6 miles (loop/segments)
Trail Use: Walking / Running / Biking

This is an easy, low-elevation trail with minimal grade change, making it more of a walking, jogging, or casual biking route than a true hiking climb. The main challenge is distance and exposure rather than terrain, with occasional wind across the open sections near the water and prairie edges.

7. Section 16 / Palmer Trail Loop

The Section 16 Trail connects into the Palmer Trail system to form a popular loop along the western foothills above Colorado Springs, where the route rolls through red rock formations, open scrub oak, and steady cliffside traverses with frequent views into Garden of the Gods and across the city.  Parking and access are free at the Section 16 trailhead and nearby access points

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Difficulty Score: 6.5/10
Elevation Gain: ~800–1,200 ft
Trail Length: ~4–6 miles loop
Trail Use: Hiking / Trail Running

This loop is moderately demanding, with rolling elevation changes rather than one sustained climb, plus some rocky and uneven sections that require attention on the narrow traverses. It’s more of a steady endurance hike than a steep grind, with the terrain and length doing most of the work rather than extreme elevation gain.  Still a great workout though!

8. Devil’s Head Fire Lookout

The Devil’s Head Lookout Trail is a well-maintained forested hike that climbs through ponderosa pine and granite outcrops to the historic fire lookout tower, where you can take a short staircase up to panoramic views across the Front Range and into the plains. Parking is free with a valid day-use pass from the surrounding national forest system, and access is generally open seasonally depending on weather and road conditions.

Difficulty Score: 5.5/10
Elevation Gain: ~900–1,100 ft
Trail Length: ~3.5–4.5 miles round trip
Trail Use: Hiking

This is a moderate, steady uphill hike with a clear trail and manageable grade, but it can feel longer due to its consistent climb and elevation gain. The terrain is not highly technical, making it more a accessible hike than many of the foothill trails, but don’t sleep on that final staircase!!

9. Rampart Range Road Scenic Pull-Offs

The Rampart Range Road scenic pull-offs are a series of roadside viewpoints and informal stops along a high-elevation forest road west of Colorado Springs, where you get quick access to wide, uninterrupted views of the Front Range, Pikes Peak region, and surrounding pine-covered ridgelines without needing a formal hike. Access is free, and the road is typically open seasonally depending on snow and forest conditions.

Difficulty Score: 1/10
Elevation Gain: N/A (roadside access)
Trail Length: N/A
Trail Use: Scenic driving / light walking

This is not a hike, and we add it because we understand that not everyone has the physical ability to take on a Colorado trail. Rampart Range Road offers the chance to access the great outdoor and enjoy amazing views without the physical toll.  The main variables being driving conditions and the occasional short walk from parking to viewpoint areas.

10. North Slope Recreation Area

The North Slope Recreation Area sits on the high western side of Pikes Peak and offers a mix of alpine lakes, gravel roads, and dispersed hiking access through high-elevation terrain. Access requires a day-use or fishing pass depending on activity, with seasonal road access typically open in warmer months when snow has cleared.

Difficulty Score: 4.5/10
Elevation Gain: varies widely (~0–1,000+ ft depending on route)
Trail Length: variable
Trail Use: Hiking / Fishing / Scenic driving

The difficulty here depends heavily on how you use the area, driving and short walks are easy, but longer hikes or exploring between lakes involves elevation and thinner air that can increase exertion more than the terrain suggests.  It’s less technical than foothills hikes but more physically taxing due to altitude.