Second Star Guide
Pikes Peak, Red Rocks, Manitou Springs
Stay among the mineral springs and Victorian storefronts, then ride the Cog Railway, climb the Incline, or walk among Garden of the Gods’ red sandstone fins.
Why start in Manitou
Eight mineral springs and a mountain at the end of the avenue
Manitou Springs grew as a nineteenth-century health resort around naturally carbonated water. Today the eight public springs, steep streets, old hotels, Penny Arcade, and Cog Railway depot make the town more than a convenient address west of Colorado Springs.
Pikes Peak Cog
Ride from Manitou toward the summit, with timing, layers, parking, and altitude in mind.
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Manitou Incline
Treat the stairs like a real mountain effort: reservation, water, bailout, descent, and recovery.
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Garden of the Gods
Use the red rocks as a full scenic morning, not a quick drive-by before lunch.
Read the guide →Stay
Downtown Manitou if walking matters; west Colorado Springs if parking and Garden access matter more.
Mountain day
Reserve the Cog or Incline before arrival; Garden of the Gods is the flexible choice when weather changes.
Downtown walk
Follow the mineral-springs map along Manitou Avenue, then spend time at the Penny Arcade and the town’s galleries.
Restricted visit
Rainbow Falls currently requires the county parking-and-shuttle system and operates only Friday through Sunday during posted hours.
