The allure of Colorado’s natural wonders combined with easy access make for an unforgettable day in the mountains
Cañon City, a town of around 17,000 people just an hour drive southwest of Colorado Springs, should be on your list of “must-visit” places in the Pikes Peak region. Besides the Museum of Prisons, the Royal Gorge Railroad, Royal Gorge Bridge, and other attractions, Cañon City and surrounding Fremont County is an outdoor mecca for hiking, cycling and whitewater sports.
With abundant trails throughout the area, it’s hard to choose just one. Some of my favorites are in the city’s Royal Gorge Park; a large parcel of land surrounding the gorge, including the Royal Gorge Bridge, arguably the area’s most popular tourist attraction and an extraordinary feat of engineering.
While entry fees apply to the bridge – and you do want to visit it – this park is public property and free to use.
The Point Alta Vista Trail located on the western edge of the Royal Gorge, is a fun, easy, short, and family-friendly hike. Much of the trail follows the path on the actual trestles of a now-defunct miniature tourist train. The views down into the canyon and the bridge are breathtaking, and if you’re there at the right time, the sunsets are beautiful. This hike is about two-miles round trip with very little elevation change. Most of it traverses through a private neighborhood, so make sure you stick to the trail. If you want a longer and more challenging hike, look for the One Track Mind Trail just before the final trestle on the Point Alta Vista Trail. One Track Mind is a three-mile, one-way hike that connects to the Made in the Shade Trail. You can hike it out and back or arrange for a shuttle to pick you up at the Made in the Shade Trailhead.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Point Alta Vista trailhead is 1.25 miles south of Highway 50 on the right side of County Road 3A, at the neighborhood’s gated entrance. The entry gate for the trail is to the left of the large vehicle gate. Make sure you take a minute to read the sign at the gate that tells the history of Point Alta Vista.
About 2.7 miles down County Road 3A from Highway 50 is the Made in the Shade Trailhead, a mini-hub for several trails. The trail itself is an easy/moderate 3.2-mile loop offering expansive vistas of the mountains to the west. Winding through trees and along canyon edges, it’s another enjoyable and family-friendly hike, eventually meeting up with the eastern end of the One Track Mind Trail that starts on the Alta Vista Point Trail.
The Made in the Shade trailhead also serves as the northern end of the Twisted Cistern Trail and the western end of the Dark Side of the Moon, Maze, and Dreamweaver Trails, all of which are on the east side of County Road 3A, accessible via a tunnel under the road near the trailhead. The Twisted Cistern trail is an easy trail, a little over 1.5 miles long (one way), ending further down County Road 3A at the Canyon Rim Trailhead and picnic area just outside the gate for the Royal Gorge Bridge. The Canyon Rim picnic area is 3.5 miles south of Highway 50 on County Road 3A.
The Canyon Rim picnic area serves not only as the south end of the Twisted Cistern trail, but also as the starting point for the Overlook and Canyon Rim Trails. If you don’t have time to do anything else, you owe it to yourself to at least hike the Overlook Trail and take in the views of the deep canyon and the Royal Gorge Bridge. This is exceptionally breathtaking right around sunset, so time your visit there accordingly. The Overlook Trail is an easy hike of just under 1.5 miles round trip from the Canyon Rim picnic area.
The Tunnel Drive Trail, just outside of downtown Cañon City, retraces an old road through – you guessed it – a series of tunnels. Entering from the east end of Royal Gorge, it travels through three tunnels that give the trail its name while paralleling both the Arkansas River and Royal Gorge Railroad from above. The surrounding rock walls continue to rise as you hike deeper into the gorge. If the timing is right, you may see the train go by. Don’t forget to give a friendly wave to the passengers!
About two miles down the trail just before it ends, is the intersection with the Royal Cascade Trail, a steep 3.5-mile (one way) hike to the summit of Fremont Peak, the highest point in Royal Gorge Park. Starting from the Tunnel Drive trail up to Fremont Peak and back is a bit more than 10.5 miles, with 2700’ of ascent, so you’ll want to be well-conditioned before attempting. Also, the Royal Cascade Trail has seasonal closures due to wildlife activity in the area, so you’ll want to plan around those closures.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Tunnel Drive Trail is at the end of Tunnel Drive, about a half-mile west of the Territorial Prison on Highway 50. Look for signs as Highway 50 curves north and begins a long climb out of the city.
All these trails are open to hiking and cycling and your leashed dog is allowed. All visitors are encouraged to be good stewards and visitors to our public lands and follow Leave No Trace principles.
These are just a fraction of the many hiking opportunities in the Cañon City region. You can get more information, including maps and current trail conditions from Fremont.
