While the City of Colorado Springs manages the Incline, the bottom portion of the incline is within the jurisdiction of the City of Manitou and subject to any emergency orders it may issue. Manitou has made a decision to enact an emergency closure of the incline within its city limits. They have the legal authority to do so and the City of Colorado Springs encourages all residents to comply with Manitou’s temporary emergency order.
About
The Manitou Incline is one of the most popular hiking trails in Colorado. The Incline is steep. It gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in less than one mile. The base of the Incline is located in Manitou Springs near the base of the Barr Trail and across the street from the Cog Railroad.
There is a free shuttle service to the Incline.
Safety
Rules
Rules for the Manitou Incline are posted at the base of the trail for users to review and follow since 2011 when The Incline was legalized. Due to lack of compliance with these rules, the cities of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs are partnering together to begin enforcing the rules. Violators of the rules will be issued a citation and will be required to appear in Manitou Springs Municipal Court.
The rules and regulations of the Incline include:
Hours of Operation include:
April 1 – October 31: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
November 1 – March 31: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Littering is prohibited. Trash receptacles are provided at the trailhead.
Open fires and open burning are prohibited at all times.
Unreasonable Noise is prohibited; noise levels will be determined per the Manitou Springs Noise Ordinance.
Smoking is prohibited.
Pets are not allowed on the Incline.
Trespass during partial or full closures as posted at the trailhead(s).
Creation of rogue trails is prohibited.
Tampering with construction (such as vandalism, harassment, trespass, etc.)
Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles
The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services department is proudly partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in order to promote environmental stewardship and safeguard the natural, cultural, and historical resources that make Colorado Springs such a fantastic place to live and visit. Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles to help keep our parks, trails, and open spaces healthy and sustainable. Learn more at lnt.org
| Plan ahead and prepare. A little preparation goes a long way! Do you have enough water and snacks? Have you ever done a hike this strenuous before? Checking the forecast and reading the Incline regulations will help prepare you for your ascent. | |
| Travel on durable surfaces. The only thing easy about the Incline is that you never have to worry about getting lost! As you are making your way up, please stay on the very clear path of travel. Veering off-trail contributes to erosion which could cause a slippery slope indeed. | |
| Dispose of waste properly. Since there are no trash receptacles at the trailhead nor along the Incline itself, please be sure to pack out what you packed in to ensure a beautiful experience for all to enjoy. Remember, food waste is litter. | |
| Leave what you find. From cool looking rocks to historical railroad features, the Incline is full of fascinating finds! Remember to take pictures of these fun items and leave them where they are for other trail users to discover and enjoy. | |
| Be careful with fire. Sparks and thickly vegetated areas do not mix well. Fires, grilling, and smoking are prohibited at the Incline. Help us protect this unique areas from wildfires. | |
| Respect wildlife. Please observe all wildlife, including those cute chipmunks, from safe distances and never feed them. Feeding wildlife ruins their health, alters their natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. | |
Be considerate of others. Practice recreational empathy! Enhance the experience of other Incline visitors by sharing the trail and putting in headphones to reduce noise pollution for wildlife and other hikers. |
