You Can See Pikes Peak from Just About Everywhere in Colorado Springs. Getting to the Top Is the Fun Part.
I’ve lived in Colorado Springs for over twenty years, and Pikes Peak is the backdrop to everything. You see it from the grocery store parking lot. You see it from your morning commute. You see it from Garden of the Gods framed perfectly between red rock formations. It’s always there, massive and snowcapped, sitting at 14,115 feet above sea level.
But seeing it from town and standing on top of it are two completely different experiences. The good news is you’ve got options for getting up there, and each one gives you something different. I’ve done it multiple ways over the years, and I have a clear favorite — but let me walk you through all three so you can decide what works best for you.
Three Ways Up
There are three main ways to reach the summit of Pikes Peak, and they couldn’t be more different from each other.
Drive it. The Pikes Peak Highway is a 19-mile toll road that climbs from the base all the way to the summit. You’re behind the wheel, setting your own pace, stopping at overlooks whenever you want. It’s beautiful and a little intense.
Hike it. Barr Trail is a 13-mile one-way beast of a hike that starts in Manitou Springs and takes you all the way to the top on foot. This one is not a casual stroll. It’s a serious mountain hike with serious altitude.
Take the train. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway carries you up on the highest cog railway in the world. You sit back, relax, and take in the views while the train does all the work. This is my personal favorite, and I’ll tell you exactly why.
The Cog Railway — My Favorite Way
If you’re visiting Colorado Springs and you want to get to the top of Pikes Peak, this is what I’m going to tell you to do. Take the Cog Railway. Every time.
Here’s why I love it. You get to see the scenery on the trip up and the trip down. You’re not watching the road. You’re not white-knuckling around switchbacks. You’re not worrying about your brakes or your engine overheating. You’re just sitting there, looking out the window, watching the landscape transform from pine forests to alpine tundra to bare granite above treeline. The whole round trip takes about three hours, and it is well worth the ride.
The train departs from Manitou Springs, which is a fun little mountain town at the base of the peak. The depot itself is a nice facility with a gift shop and waiting area. They rebuilt the entire railway and put in brand-new Swiss-made trains that opened in 2021, so the experience is modern, smooth, and comfortable. Big windows, climate-controlled cars, and they narrate the journey on the way up.
A few things to know before you go:
- Book your tickets in advance. The Cog Railway is one of the most popular attractions in Colorado Springs and tickets sell out, especially in summer. Don’t show up hoping to walk on — book online at cograilway.com as far ahead as you can.
- It runs year-round. Most people assume it’s a summer-only thing, but the Cog Railway operates even in winter. The schedule changes seasonally — fewer runs per day in the colder months — so check the current schedule before you plan your trip. A winter ride up Pikes Peak with snow covering everything is something else entirely.
- Parking in Manitou is tight. This is one of those things that catches people off guard. Manitou Springs is a small mountain town with narrow streets, and parking fills up fast. My advice: take a smaller vehicle if you can. Don’t try to navigate Manitou in a big truck or SUV if you have another option. There’s a parking structure near the depot, but it’s not huge. Arrive early.
- Dress warmer than you think. It can be 80 degrees in Colorado Springs and 40 degrees with wind at the summit. Bring layers. The train gives you about 30 to 40 minutes at the top, which is plenty of time if you’re dressed for it and miserable if you’re not.
Honestly, even after all these years, I still think the Cog Railway is one of the best experiences Colorado Springs has to offer. It’s great for families, it’s great for visitors who aren’t comfortable with heights or mountain driving, and the views are incredible the entire way.
Driving the Pikes Peak Highway
If you want to do it yourself, the Pikes Peak Highway lets you drive your own vehicle to the summit. It’s 19 miles from the toll gate to the top, and the road climbs over 6,000 vertical feet along the way. The highway is paved the entire way — they finished paving the last section a few years back — and the surface is in good condition.
Now, I’ll be honest with you. The road is quite steep in places, and there are some big drop-offs. Could be a little scary for some people. I get that. But the road itself is perfectly fine. It’s well-maintained, there are guardrails where they matter, and thousands of people drive it every year without any issues. Just take your time, use a low gear on the way down to save your brakes, and pull over at the overlooks — they’re there for a reason, and the views are worth every stop.
A few important things about driving up:
- Do NOT take an RV up the Pikes Peak Highway. I need to be clear about this. The road has tight switchbacks, steep grades, and narrow sections. An RV has no business on this road. If you’re traveling in an RV, take the Cog Railway instead — that’s exactly what it’s there for.
- Your vehicle matters. You don’t need four-wheel drive in summer, but your vehicle needs to be in good mechanical shape. Brakes especially. The descent is long and steep, and riding your brakes the whole way down will overheat them. Use low gear. The rangers at the gate will check your vehicle and give you instructions — listen to them.
- Altitude sickness is real. You’re going from about 7,400 feet at the gate to 14,115 feet at the summit. If you just flew in from sea level, you might feel lightheaded or nauseous at the top. Drink water, take it easy, and head back down if you feel off.
- There’s a fee and reservation system. The highway charges a per-person admission fee. Book your time slot online before you go — and check for weather closures while you’re at it.
Driving the Pikes Peak Highway is a bucket-list experience for a lot of people, and I understand why. You’re behind the wheel on one of the most famous mountain roads in the country. Just respect the mountain, drive carefully, and give yourself time to enjoy the stops along the way. There are some amazing views of the surrounding peaks and valleys that you won’t get from the train.
Hiking Barr Trail
And then there’s the hard way. Barr Trail is 13 miles one way from the trailhead in Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak. That’s a 26-mile round trip with about 7,800 feet of elevation gain. This is not a casual day hike. This is a serious mountain expedition that most people should plan as an overnight.
The trail starts near the Cog Railway depot in Manitou and climbs through dense forest, aspen groves, and stream crossings before reaching Barr Camp at about 10,200 feet — roughly the halfway point. Barr Camp offers bunks, tent sites, and meals. Most people hike there on day one, sleep, and summit the next morning. That’s the smart way to do it.
Above Barr Camp, the trail breaks above treeline into exposed alpine terrain — nothing but rocks, sky, and views to the horizon. Here’s my honest take on the hike:
- You need to be in good shape. This isn’t a suggestion — it’s a requirement. The combination of distance, elevation gain, and altitude makes this one of the more demanding hikes in the Colorado Springs area.
- Acclimate first. If you’re visiting from a lower elevation, spend at least two or three days in Colorado Springs before attempting this hike. Your body needs time to adjust to 6,000 feet before you ask it to perform at 14,000.
- Start early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains during summer, and you do not want to be above treeline when lightning starts. Most experienced hikers start before dawn.
- Bring more water and food than you think you need. There’s water at Barr Camp, but between there and the summit, you’re on your own.
- Consider a one-way hike. Some people hike up and take the Cog Railway down (or vice versa). Check the Cog Railway website for hiker ticket availability — they offer one-way tickets when space allows.
I have tremendous respect for people who hike Barr Trail. It’s a real accomplishment. Just know your limits, check the weather, and have a plan.
The Summit
No matter how you get up there, the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet is something special. On a clear day, you can see the plains stretching out to the east seemingly forever, and mountains rolling in every direction to the west and south. This is the view that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful” back in 1893, and standing up there, you understand exactly why.
The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center opened in 2021 and it’s a big upgrade from what was there before. It’s a beautiful building designed to withstand 200 mph winds (which actually happen up there), and it houses a gift shop, exhibits, and food service. And yes — they still have the famous Pikes Peak donuts. They’ve been making these high-altitude donuts at the top of the peak for decades, and they’re a tradition you don’t skip. Something about frying dough at 14,000 feet makes them taste different. Get one. Get two.
A few things to keep in mind about the summit:
- The weather changes fast. It can go from sunshine to snow in twenty minutes up there. Wind chill can make even a summer day feel frigid. Bring a jacket and a hat no matter what the forecast says in town.
- The air is thin. At 14,115 feet, you’re getting about 60% of the oxygen you’d get at sea level. Walk slowly. Don’t run around. If you feel dizzy or get a headache, sit down and take it easy. It’s not a sign of weakness — it’s physics.
- You won’t want to rush. Whether you drove, rode the train, or hiked, give yourself time to just stand there and look. The views are genuinely breathtaking — in every sense of the word at that altitude.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Every year around the 4th of July, something incredible happens on the Pikes Peak Highway. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes over the road, and race cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles tear up that 12.42-mile course at speeds that would terrify you on flat ground, let alone on a mountain road with thousand-foot drop-offs.
This race has been running since 1916, making it one of the oldest motorsport events in America — second only to the Indianapolis 500. It’s known as “The Race to the Clouds,” and that name isn’t just marketing. These drivers literally race into the clouds.
The hill climb draws international competitors and some wild custom-built machines. Electric vehicles have been putting up incredible times in recent years. The whole event includes practice days, qualifying, and race day, and fans line sections of the highway to watch. If your visit falls around race weekend, it’s worth checking out — just know the highway will be closed to regular traffic. For schedules and tickets, check the official Pikes Peak International Hill Climb website.
Tips for Your Visit
After twenty-plus years of living in the shadow of this mountain and sending dozens of friends and family members up it, here’s what I always tell people:
- Acclimate first. Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet. Spend at least a day exploring lower-altitude attractions like Garden of the Gods before heading up another 8,000 feet.
- Hydrate early. The dry air and altitude dehydrate you fast. Start drinking extra water the day before your Pikes Peak trip.
- Layer up. It can be 30 to 40 degrees colder at the summit than in town. Even in July, bring a jacket.
- Parking in Manitou Springs is limited. Whether you’re catching the Cog Railway or starting the Barr Trail hike, you’re going to be in Manitou. The streets are narrow and parking fills up early, especially on weekends. Take a smaller vehicle if possible, arrive early, and be patient.
- Morning is better. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains during summer — sometimes violent ones with lightning. If you’re driving or hiking, plan to be at the summit by late morning and heading back down by early afternoon.
- Bring sunscreen and sunglasses. The UV exposure at high altitude is no joke. You’re closer to the sun and there’s less atmosphere filtering the rays. You will burn faster than you expect.
- Check conditions before you go. Both the highway and the Cog Railway can close due to weather. A quick check of the Pikes Peak Highway or Cog Railway websites before you head out can save you a wasted trip.
The Mountain That Defines Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak isn’t just a mountain you visit — it’s the mountain that defines this city. Snow-covered and glowing pink at sunrise in winter, bare granite under thunderheads in summer, golden aspens at its base in fall. After more than twenty years, I still notice it every morning.
Whether you ride the Cog Railway (my recommendation), drive the highway, or hike every step of Barr Trail, getting to the top is one of those experiences that stays with you. Come prepared, respect the altitude, and take it all in.
And get the donut. Trust me on that one.
If you’re planning a full trip to the area, check out my guides to Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods, and day trips from Colorado Springs for more from a local who’s been here long enough to know the real story.
About the Author: Dominic Ferrara has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. After working for Delta Airlines and visiting just about every major city in the United States, he chose Colorado Springs for its scenery, sunshine, and outdoor lifestyle. He lives on the west side near Ute Valley Park, where he e-bikes, camps, and explores the mountains regularly. His recommendations come from two decades of eating, hiking, and living here — not from a weekend visit.
