Map of bike paths / walking paths in the Colorado Springs area

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Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in:
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is located along the Front Range in Central Colorado, about 70 miles south of Denver. The city sits at the foot of Pikes Peak and is situated along Monument Creek and Fountain Creek. From this area, there are marvelous views of Pikes Peak and the rock formations at Garden of the Gods. This area is home to the United States Air Force Academy, Manitou Springs and the historic Broadmoor Hotel.

This area has numerous recreational trails located throughout the city and into the surrounding countryside. There are also recreational trails located in the many parks and designated open spaces.

One system of trails extends in a north-south direction through the entire Colorado Springs area, from Palmer Lake to Fountain. These paved and unpaved trails trails include the New Santa Fe Regional Trail, the Pikes Peak Greenway and the Fountain Creek Regional Trail. Many other recreational trails connect to this system, while others area located in the residential neighborhoods on the east and west sides of the city.

New Santa Fe Regional Trail

The New Santa Fe Regional Trail is a 16-mile long, mostly unpaved, pathway that extends between Palmer Lake and Colorado Springs in Central Colorado. The trail was constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The trail starts near Palmer Lake and heads to the south through grassy hillsides and piñon trees. There are lovely views of the valley below and to the city to the south. the trail goes through the community of Monument and through the Air Force Academy with a special easement.

At the border of the Air Force Academy and the City of Colorado Springs, the New Santa Fe Regional Trail meets the Pikes Peak Greenway.

Read more about the New Santa Fe Regional Trail

Pikes Peak Greenway

The Pikes Peak Greenway is a 15-mile long system of paved and unpaved pathways that stretch from the northern border of the City of Colorado Springs to the southern border. The greenway travels through the natural areas alongside Monument Creek and Fountain Creek. Starting in the north at the border of the United States Air Force Academy, the trail goes past commercial areas, near the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, past several large city parks, adjacent to Colorado College, connects to numerous other recreational trails and ends at the El Pomar Youth Sports Complex where it connects to the Fountain Creek Regional Trail.

Read more about the Pikes Peak Greenway

Fountain Creek Regional Trail

The Fountain Creek Regional Trail is a 10-mile long unpaved pathway that spans between the southern border of Colorado Springs and the City of Fountain in Central Colorado. This area is just east of Fort Carson.

At the north end the trail connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway. The trail then follows Fountain Creek to the south. The trail goes through the natural areas alongside the creek with cottonwoods and willows, farmland and grassy meadows. There are views of Pike Peak to the north and the foothills to the west.

Read more about the Fountain Creek Regional Trail

Bear Creek Regional Park Trail

Bear Creek Regional Park is a 545 acres park that is located on the south side of Colorado Springs and west of Interstate 25. The park has 10-miles of trails for hiking and bike riding that wander around the natural areas. The park also has other facilities such as picnic areas, restrooms and athletic fields.

Cottonwood Creek Trail

The Cottonwood Creek Trail is a 4.3-mile long paved pathway that connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway south of E Woodmen Road. The trail travels through the natural areas alongside Cottonwood Creek as far as Austin Bluffs Parkway and E. Woodman Road. There is a gap in the Cottonwood Creek Trail to the west of Academy Boulevard N where trail users need to use local streets to reach the next section.

The Cottonwood Creek Trail goes past the Cottonwood Creek Recreation Area and connects to the Homestead Trail.

Crews Gulch Trail

The Crews Gulch Trail is a 2.3-mile long paved pathway that connects to the Fountain Creek Regional Trail near Magrath Avenue on the south side of Security-Widefield. The Crews Gulch Trail then heads to the east as far as Fontaine Boulevard and Fountain Mesa Road. The trail goes past Widefield Community Park.

Foothills Trail

The Foothills Trail is a paved pathway located on the west side of Colorado Springs and spans between Allegheny Drive and the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. The trail follows alongside Flying W. Ranch Road and N. 30th Street and connects to the Palmer Mesa Trail and comes close to the Sinton Trail.

Homestead Trail

The Homestead Trail is located on the northeast side of Colorado Springs. The trail has two separated sections that wander through the residential areas connecting local parks.

The north section if the Homestead Trail is a 1.9-mile long paved pathway that connects to the Cottonwood Creek Trail and goes past Jenkins Middle School, Scott Elementary School and Fred McKown Park. This section of the Homestead Trail stops at Templeton Gap Road.

The southern section of the Homestead Trail is 5.5-miles long and mostly paved. This section starts at Stetson Hills Boulevard. The route includes Rudy Elementary School, Homestead Park and Villa Loma Park. This section stops at Academy Boulevard N and Maizeland Road across from Palmer Park.

La Foret Trail

The La Foret Trail is a 2.5-mile long mostly paved pathway located on the north side of Colorado Springs. The trail connects to the New Santa Fe Regional Trail near the Air Force Academy. The route of the trail includes and underpass for Interstate 25 and goes past Mary Kyer Park and DaVinci Academy. The east end of the trail is located along Woodruff Drive.

Palmer Mesa Trail

The Palmer Mesa Trail is a 3.5-mile long pathway that follows alongside Mesa Road on the west side of Colorado Springs. The trail spans between N. 30th Street and a point just south of Commons Road. The Palmer Mesa Trail goes past Blair Bridge Open Space, Coronado High School and Holmes Middle School. The northwest end of the trail connects with Foothills Trail.

Rock Island Regional Trail

The Rock Island Regional Trail currently has two separate sections. The 9-mile long unpaved northeast section follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way that runs alongside Highway 24 from Falcon to Peyton. The southwest section is 5.9 miles long and paved. The trail cuts through the middle of Colorado Springs and runs alongside Constitution Avenue for much of its route. The western end of the trail connects to Shooks Run Trail.

Sand Creek Trail

The Sand Creek Trail currently has seperate sections located on the southern side of Colroado Springs and on the northeast side of the city. The trails travel through the natural areas alongside Sand Creek.

The southern section consists of a 1.3-mile long stretch and a 3-mile long section with a gap to either side of Hancock Expressway. The Sand Creek Trail connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway near Las Vegas Street and Carmel Drive. The trail also goes past Sierra High School, Wildflower Park, and Wildflower Elementary School.

The northern section of the Sand Creek Trail is 3.7 miles long and paved. The trail spans between Barnes Road and E. Woodmen Road. The trail goes past Stetson Elementary School, Stetson Park and Stetson Hills Open Space.

Shooks Run Trail

The Shooks Run Trail is a 4-mile long paved pathway that spns between Lilac Street and E. Fountain Boulevard running through older residential neighborhoods to the east of N. Nevada Avenue. The north end of the trail connects with Rock Island Regional Trail.

Sinton Trail

The Sinton Trail is a 2.8-mile long paved pathway located on the west side of Colorado Springs. The southwest end of the trail connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway near the Gossage Youth Sports Complex on Mark Dabling Boulevard. The northwest end of the Sinton Trail comes close to the Foothills Trail at W. Garden of the Gods Road.

Templeton Gap Trail

The Templeton Gap Trail is a 4.7-mile long paved pathway located to the east of Interstate 25. The trail connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway at the Gossage Youth Sports Complex on Mark Dabling Road. The east end of the trail is located along Austin Bluffs Parkway at Brenner Place. this location is at the north end of Palmer Park.

Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.