Explore the best rated trails in Canon City, CO. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Monarch Spur Trail and Legacy Loop. With more than 41 trails covering 199 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Loop is a easy one, the only downside was the trash piled almost everywhere.
First trail I've tried using the app. It was a nice ride. My trike made it through easily. Most of one way is downhill so the return was a little more tiring. Overall, pretty fun for an evening ride.
This is a fine trail for hiking, but not for biking. Trail surface is mostly loose gravel, there is usually one track on the side that is firm enough to ride on. This trail is not suitable for kids and occasional riders because of the loose material and steep grade. I have ridden rail trails in 42 states and this one is the steepest I have encountered, probably because it was a narrow gauge railway. The steep grade, high altitude and loose material make the trail challenging for casual riders. I was constantly in the lower two gears of my mountain bike, and uphill averaged 4 mph with breaks.
The portage around the collapsed tunnel is an unimproved hiking trail and will be difficult for kids and older adults. It would require a stout person to handle the portage with an electric bike.
A better bike ride is the gold camp road. Although there is some car traffic the surface is much better. Start at pullout No. 1 near the Bear Creek Nature Center (245 Bear Creek Road) and ride up hill 5 miles to the parking lot near Hellen Hunt Falls. That is 3 miles of asphalt and 2.3 miles gravel with one tunnel, turn around and coast back to your car.
Nice trail for a walk or bike ride if you have an hour or two. The trail ends at an observation point that extends over the canyon for a nice view of the royal gorge bridge and the river canyon. It is an easy bike ride except for the detour around a collapsed bridge which is more like a single track. If not comfortable riding single track, jump up on the road until the road meets up with the trail on the other side of the bridge. Stay on the trail to avoid flats caused by cactus and sand burrs.
Parking area is easy to miss, look for Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort sign which is at the first big curve south of US-50 highway.
Holy moly! Harder than I thought. Did it then ran back down to my motel we stayed at in Manitou Springs! Very cool area.
Easy, walkable. Bit muddy on the south end after rain or snow but peaceful and unexpected trail. We’re renting in the area for a few months and this trail has been a little haven for a morning run, walking the dogs and enjoying birds and mtn views. Playground on the northwest side is in good shape. Trail is mostly flat and doable with small children, someone with limited mobility or starting an exercise program. Typically see people fishing, many, birds, people walking dogs, kids from nearby school.
We rode from the Woodmen parking area north to Monument. This trail is well maintained. Just need to watch for the fast riders around some short turns.
Visited Fountain Creek Regional Park this morning with my husband and our two dogs. One is a Great Pyrenees mix at 60+ lbs and growing and the other is a 25lb rat terrier mix. There are multiple side trails off the main trail and a good portion of it follows the creek. It was great for beginners like us. The trail was relatively clean and flat. It would be nice if they had a garbage can or two along the way but the only one we saw was at the parking lot. We went around 830am and walked for about an hour. It wasn’t crowded but there were enough people around that you didn’t feel all alone in the woods. It was gorgeous. We will definitely be back!
Not to hard or strenuous. Good for quick walk/run or with your dog.
We were in the area to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and this trail was a pleasant surprise! We decided to take a short stroll along the Tunnel Drive Trail and were wowed by the three impressive tunnels blasted through the rock. The overlooks of the Arkansas River and the active train tracks below were also spectacular.
Rode the trail in Jul 2021. Part of it was closed due to construction. My biggest issue was that the road connections were not marked and I got lost a few times. Beautiful pavement along a small creek. It was a bit unusual with the large number of campers, and I kind of felt bad invading their space. I noticed a better bike trail along the Garden of the Gods park. I will try that next.
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