Every trail here is on public land with an official page, so you can check conditions before you lace up. A few ground rules: start early (parking fills and afternoon storms roll in), carry more water than you think, and stay on the designated trail.
Mount Cutler Trail
📍 North Cheyenne Cañon Park · trailhead on the south side of North Cheyenne Cañon Rd., about 1.5 miles up from the main gate by Starsmore
Why go: About 1.1 miles to an overlook just east of the summit, with big views for a short climb (6,785 ft at the trailhead, 7,200 ft at the top). It's the best effort-to-payoff ratio in the canyon.
Do: Go at golden hour, then roll down to the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center by the park entrance.
Good to know: Hikers only. Park hours are 5 a.m.–9 p.m. Nov.–April and 5 a.m.–10 p.m. May–Oct. There's no cell service in the canyon, so screenshot the map.
Official site ↗
Seven Bridges Trail
📍 North Cheyenne Cañon / Pike National Forest · from the Powell parking area at the top of North Cheyenne Cañon Rd. The trail starts about a half mile up the gated Gold Camp Rd.
Why go: A creekside climb with a string of footbridges, deeper into the forest than most canyon visitors go.
Do: Hike as far toward Jones Park as your legs want, then turn around.
Good to know: Flooding washed out Bridge #1 in 2025, so the Forest Service removed it. Follow the signed detour from the start of Buckhorn Trail #776, which rejoins the trail at Bridge #2. The Powell lot was closed during the June 2026 storm cleanup, so check the canyon's status first.
Official site ↗
Columbine Trail
📍 North Cheyenne Cañon Park · starts behind the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Rd.
Why go: About 4 miles up the canyon from Starsmore (6,250 ft) to the Upper Columbine trailhead near Helen Hunt Falls (7,300 ft). Do any piece of it as an out-and-back.
Do: Start at the lower trailhead and walk as far as you like. The Mid Columbine trailhead, about a mile up the road, makes a shorter starting point.
Good to know: Shared with cyclists and horses.
Official site ↗
Stratton Open Space
📍 Southwest, next to North Cheyenne Cañon · trailheads on La Veta Way and Ridgeway Ave., plus the Chamberlain Trail past Starsmore
Why go: 318 acres with five distinct ecosystems and a web of trails. It works for a quick loop or a link-up toward the canyon.
Do: Park at La Veta Way and wander the loops. Dogs must be leashed.
Good to know: South Suburban Reservoir inside the open space is no longer open to the public as of 2026 (Colorado Springs Utilities). Hours are 5 a.m.–9 p.m. Nov.–March and 5 a.m.–10 p.m. April–Oct.
Official site ↗
Ridgeline Trail (off Section 16)
📍 Westside · Section 16 trailhead on Gold Camp Rd., at Red Rock Canyon Open Space (from U.S. 24, take 26th Street south, then Gold Camp Road)
Why go: Section 16 is popular, but turn right onto Ridgeline about a quarter-mile up and you may have the ridge mostly to yourself (the Gazette's hiker barely saw anyone). You get views of Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon, the Incline and Cheyenne Mountain.
Do: The Gazette's loop (Ridgeline to Meadows, back down Palmer Red Rock Trail) is about 2 miles round trip with roughly 322 feet of gain.
Good to know: Multi-use trail, dogs on leash. Get there early, because the lot fills fast in summer.
Official site ↗
Blodgett Open Space
📍 Northwest, against the Pike National Forest
Why go: Seven miles of new trails opened in the southern part of the open space. That includes four miles of multi-use trail and a new 50-space trailhead, plus big views east over the city.
Do: Stick to the new multi-use loops. The 2.5 miles on Blodgett Bike Hill are downhill, bike-only.
Good to know: More trail work in the central and northern sections is planned through the end of 2026, so expect flags and occasional short closures. Blodgett Peak itself is in the national forest, and there's no designated trail past Hummingbird Trail. The city calls the off-trail route difficult and treacherous.
Official site ↗
Fox Run Regional Park
📍 Black Forest edge, north of the city · off Stella Dr. via Roller Coaster Rd. (I-25 exit 156A to Northgate Rd.)
Why go: Ponderosa forest that feels a world away from I-25. The Timber Ridge overlook looks over Aspen and Spruce lakes toward Pikes Peak.
Do: Walk the four miles of multi-use trails through the Fallen Timbers area, then let the kids loose on the playgrounds.
Good to know: Most restrooms close Nov. 1–March 31. The one by the wedding gazebo stays open year-round.
Official site ↗
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
📍 Near Calhan, about 750 acres on the eastern plains · Paint Mines Rd. (Hwy 24 east to Calhan, south on Yoder Rd./Calhan Hwy, east on Paint Mines Rd.)
Why go: Striped pink, gold and white clay spires and hoodoos that look nothing like the rest of El Paso County. People were here as long as 9,000 years ago.
Do: Walk the trails and look, but don't climb. Climbing, scrambling or entering the formations is prohibited.
Good to know: Free and open year-round, dawn to dusk. No pets, horses or bikes, so leave the dog at home. There's no water on site, so bring your own. Calhan is the closest town for food and gas.
Official site ↗
Every pick was checked against its official site or a recent local news report in October 2026. Hours, menus and trail conditions change, so tap through before you head out. Spot something out of date? Email hello@cosscoop.com.
