The Best Colorado Springs Hikes

Book excerpt: From the diverse scenery of its city parks to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, the Colorado Springs area has hiking adventures for everyone.The variety of hikes in the Pikes Peak region is astounding. If you are looking for an easy stroll close to town for rumination, a full-day adventure that will leave you gasping for air, or something in between, The Best Colorado Springs Hikes has 20 superb Colorado Springs trails.If you have ever wondered about that big mountain looming overtown, you'll find a couple of paths to its summit. Lovers of geology can explore incredible sandstone formations in the Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Open Space, or the smooth granite of the Lost Creek Wilderness. For the less experienced, start with the Greenway Trail that wends its way along Monument Creek through downtown. On the other hand, if you have a good deal of hiking experience you can try the Barr Trail to the top of Pikes Peak -- 14 miles of steep hiking that is not easy and notparticularly accessible.