Exploring Colorado Springs: A Guide to Hiking and Exploring the Scenic Beauty
Colorado Springs is a popular travel destination known for its scenic beauty and natural landmarks. The city is nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak and offers a plethora of outdoor activities, especially hiking. Hiking enthusiasts will relish the numerous trails and beautiful landscapes that await them in Colorado Springs, offering a great way to explore the area's natural beauty. In this blog post, we'll guide you through some of the best hiking options, including hiking Garden of the Gods, hiking the Paint Mines, hiking Red Rock Canyon Open Space, and walking around Old Colorado City.
Hiking Garden of the Gods:
Garden of the Gods is a natural landmark known for its towering red-rock formations and beautiful vistas. The park offers several hiking trails, from easy to challenging, making it a great destination for hikers of all levels. The most popular trail is the Perkins Central Garden Trail, which offers a wheelchair-accessible paved hike with stunning views of the park's red rock formations. Take a leisurely stroll through the park's unique rock formations and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Also worth checking out are the Siamese Twins rock formations.
Hiking the Paint Mines
The Paint Mines is a geological wonder located in Calhan, Colorado, a short drive from Colorado Springs. The park's unusual structures are formed from sedimentary clay, which gives the rocks a unique color palette that is sure to captivate you. There are several easy hiking trails that offer excellent views of the park's colorful rock formations, with the most popular trail being the 3.4-mile trail, which offers a moderate hike level.
Hiking Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a beautiful park located just west of Colorado Springs and is known for its scenic hiking trails. The park offers several trails, including the Contemplative Trail, which is an easy hike that is great for families with young children. The Quarry Pass Trail is a moderate level hike that offers stunning views of the park's red rock formations. There are many other trails with varying difficulty levels, so hikers of all levels will enjoy hiking in this area.
Walking around Old Colorado City
If hiking isn't your thing, consider taking a leisurely stroll around Old Colorado City. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is full of quaint shops, restaurants, galleries, and cultural events. The area is especially beautiful during the holiday season, where you can enjoy festive decorations and events such as the Christmas Stroll, making it a great option any time of the year. Be sure to check out Eclectic Co in Old Colorado City and stop by Carnelian Coffee for a seasonal drink!
With its stunning natural beauty and landscapes, Colorado Springs is an incredible destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you enjoy hiking, walking, or just taking in the scenic beauty, Colorado Springs has plenty of options to offer. Hiking Garden of the Gods, hiking the Paint Mines, hiking Red Rock Canyon Open Space, and walking around Old Colorado City are just some of the many activities and attractions you can enjoy in this beautiful area. If you're planning a trip to Colorado Springs, don't forget to add these activities to your itinerary to make the most of your stay.