How Hard Are the Trails?
Difficulty by trail
The grades and rises below are the park’s own, from the park’s hiking trails page. Where the park publishes no grade, the table says so rather than guess.
| Trail | Length | Rise | Park grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perkins Central Garden | 1.5 mi round trip | Less than 30 ft | Accessible | Paved |
| Ridge | 0.5 mi loop | Less than 100 ft | Moderate | Short loop |
| Siamese Twins | 1 mi round trip | Less than 150 ft | Easy | Rock window view of Pikes Peak |
| Gateway and Central Garden | 2.5 mi | Not published | Easy | From the overflow lot |
| Scotsman and Buckskin Charlie | 1.58 and 0.98 mi on the map | Not published | Moderate | Rocky |
| Palmer | About 1.9 mi on the map | Not published | Not published | Map length only |
The trails page has the full list of map lengths, and how long is the hike gives walking times.
Altitude
Visit Colorado Springs gives the park’s elevation as about 6,400 ft, more than a mile above sea level; the city of Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 ft and Manitou Springs at 6,412 ft. The park’s summer safety advice stresses the strong sun at altitude and suggests about half a liter of water per hour of hiking. Pikes Peak next door is a different matter at 14,115 ft; the Pikes Peak health page covers its advice.
Heat, sun and storms
The park warns that summer afternoon storms can form within minutes and that temperatures can drop 20 degrees or more. Its signs to head back include flat-bottomed dark clouds, a shift in the wind and distant thunder. A hat, sunscreen and water help on a hot day. Morning walks tend to avoid the afternoon storms.
Which trails are rockier
The park describes the Scotsman and Buckskin Charlie trails as moderate and rocky, the main step up from the short walks. AllTrails lists an "Outer Loop" of about 6.5 miles joining several trails; it is a third-party route rather than an official one. Walkers stay off the rocks themselves: off-trail travel is prohibited, and bouldering or scrambling above 10 ft without proper equipment is illegal. Climbing needs a permit, as the rock climbing page explains.
Winter footing
Snow on the red rocks draws winter visitors, and the park calls winter hiking "seriously underrated". Trails can be icy after a storm, and a slower pace helps. The park closes at 9 pm from November 1 to April 30.
Wildlife on the trail
Prairie rattlesnakes live in the park, alongside black bears, bighorn sheep, mule deer and coyotes. The park asks visitors to keep their distance and use the bear-proof trash cans. Staying on the trail keeps walkers out of the brush. See the animals page.
Easier ways round
For visitors who prefer less walking, the park roads loop about 6 miles at 20 mph, the free summer shuttle stops at the Central Garden, and the Visitor Center lends two wheelchairs free. The ways to see the park page compares the options.
The Siamese Twins Trail is the step up from the paved loop: rated easy, about a mile round trip, with less than 150 ft of rise and a view of Pikes Peak at the end.
Riding instead of walking
Two GetYourGuide products cover the park mostly from a seat. The Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour lasts 2.5 hours in open-air jeeps, according to its listing, and a reviewer, Julie from the United States, mentions plenty of time to get out for views and photos; the listing does not state wheelchair access. The Segway tour lasts 1.5 hours; its listing requires riders to walk up and down stairs and step off a curb unaided, and sets an upper weight of 250 lb (113 kg). Conditions belong to each product.
Max 6 guestsColorado Springs: Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour
Max 5 guestsColorado Springs: Garden of the Gods Segway Tour
Frequently asked questions
Is Garden of the Gods hard to walk?
Not on the main paths. The paved Perkins Central Garden Trail rises less than 30 ft over 1.5 miles. The rockier trails, such as Scotsman and Buckskin Charlie, are rated moderate.
How difficult is the hike at Garden of the Gods?
The park rates its short trails easy to moderate. Altitude of about 6,400 ft, sun and summer storms add effort. See the trails page.
What is the elevation of Garden of the Gods?
About 6,400 ft, according to Visit Colorado Springs.
Which trails at Garden of the Gods are rocky?
The park describes the Scotsman and Buckskin Charlie trails as moderate and rocky.
Is Garden of the Gods good for kids?
The paved Perkins Central Garden Trail suits strollers, and the Siamese Twins Trail is rated easy. Children stay on the trail: scrambling above 10 ft without equipment is illegal.