Crags Trail Head

The Crags Hiking Trail near Pikes Peak is an absolute gem for outdoor enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable adventure in the Colorado wilderness. From start to finish, this trail delivers a perfect blend of scenic beauty, thrilling challenges, and rewarding vistas.

As you lace up your hiking boots and begin your journey along the trail, you'll find yourself surrounded by towering pine trees and lush foliage, creating a serene atmosphere that instantly transports you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The well-maintained path winds its way through the forest, offering occasional glimpses of the stunning mountain peaks that await.

As you reach the summit of the trail, you're rewarded with an awe-inspiring panorama that stretches as far as the eye can see. The majestic peaks of Pikes Peak rise in the distance, while below, the valley unfolds in a patchwork of forests, meadows, and sparkling streams. It's a moment of pure magic, made even more special by the knowledge that you've earned it through your own efforts.

But the beauty of the Crags Hiking Trail isn't just limited to the views. Along the way, you'll encounter a diverse array of plant and animal life, from wildflowers blooming in the summer to marmots scurrying among the rocks. It's a reminder of the rich biodiversity that thrives in this pristine wilderness.

The Crags Hiking Trail near Pikes Peak is a true masterpiece of nature, offering hikers an unforgettable journey through some of Colorado's most spectacular scenery. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a casual nature lover, this trail has something to offer everyone. So grab your hiking gear and prepare for an adventure you'll never forget.

Great trail head, relatively easy to get to, i had 4 wheel drive but i think you could probably do it in a 2 wheel vehicle. just may have to go slow in certain spots. bathrooms were great, lots of parking, excellent route up Pike's Peak!

Absolutely amazing hike. The hike takes you up a valley to a domed summit. The first .4 mile and the last 1/2 mile are a bit steep, but the rest of the hike is easy. There is great scenery from the beginning to the end. The trail was busy by the time we finished around 10:00 a.m., but there were still a few spots available in the parking lot.

Absolutely beautiful hike! My first time on this trail and a few notes:
The drive to the parking lot is a little sketchy, with it being gravel and narrow, so watch out for oncoming traffic.
Parking lot was full when we got there around noon, but managed to find a spot.
Nice clean bathrooms at the start of the trail.
Bring deep woods bug spray!! Lots of biting flies that became a nuisance.
Beginning and end of trail are quite steep, but the majority levels out nicely and opens up.
I found hiking poles to help a lot!
There are precious chipmunks at the top!

We did the Pancake Rock and Horsethief Falls trail from this trailhead. It is about a 15 total mile out and back hike. The constant up and down elevation gain is rough. It’s like climbing five minor mountains in one hike. The views are superb from the top and if you start early enough you may be treated to a forest fog which made the hike a little more ominous but unique. We started at 8 am and finished at 6pm because we took a long break at Pancake Rocks. This trailhead is a little rough to get to as it’s on a 3 mile unpaved road.

Not for a beginner. Beautiful hike. Steep and rocky in parts. Parking good before 7am. Amazing views when heading to Devils Playground. Didn't make it there. Need more practice in high altitude!

Spectacular hike! Gets a little technical at the end (and very windy) but not too bad. Great scenery on the way, huge boulders and stone mountains. My wife made it near the top before she got a little tired. But it's best to keep pushing because of the great view at the top!

One of my favorite hikes in Colorado so far.

We've done this trail time and time again, and keep coming back! And this year we finally got the see the aspens peaking during fall. Absolutely love this trail!

Great hike with an 833'elevation gain. Rock formations at the top are amazing and what a view! Trail was well maintained. Stay alert for wildlife.

Crags Trail Head was a fantastic late summer hike. We went in late August and due to a rainy summer, wildflowers and mushrooms were plentiful. We saw wild strawberries and raspberries too, but they weren't ripe yet. Great views throughout! A very manageable, and definitely rewarding, out-and-back hike for a morning or afternoon.

Crags trail is a great medium difficulty trail with many good places to stop along the way to the top. The views from the peak are amazing. My 60 year old father who has emphysema was able to make the trail with little trouble and just a couple of breaks. Definitely make sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection. I highly recommend this trail if you love hiking and in the area.

This trail was one of my favorites of done in the Colorado Springs area so far! The drive to get to the trailhead is a little confusing because you drive through another area that isn’t part of the trail. The beginning and end of the trail are both steep so if you are not used to the altitude like me you might feel it somewhat but it levels off in the middle. The views once you reach the top are amazing! The trail is pretty easy to follow until the end but if you keep going up you’ll get to the top. There are bathrooms at the trailhead if needed. We went in November and there was some snow dusting on the ground at the beginning and even though the leaves were down already it was still very beautiful . Highly recommend!

Absolutely beautiful trail, following an active creek through multiple meadows to achieve a breathtaking panoramic view of the south-side of Pikes Peak.
Pro Tip: if you want to bypass the first part of the trail (that is fairly steep at times), park at the trailhead and walk through the Crags campground, picking up the trail at the end of the road (small loop with pit toilet, metal sign saying vehicles prohibited). This makes the trail MUCH more enjoyable, IMO.
Also, due to how slick the areas toward the top can get (due to the loose gravel), having a walking stick can be a huge help coming back down.
Enjoy!

It's an easy hike that turns moderately difficult at the top (elev. 10,500 ft.). The rocks, or "crags" along the way are absolutely stunning--just unique looking formations that are fun to look at. The top provides a birds-eye view of the valley below for miles and miles. Easy, free parking in a lot by the campground. We went during aspen color changing season and while there weren't a ton of aspens, there was still plenty of nice fall color. And it's dog-friendly!

This trail is well kept with restrooms at the trail head. You will encounter a variety of terrains on this trail; meadows lined with trees, steep rocky hills, and boulders you can climb. At the top of the boulders, you can see for miles in each direction. Be careful at the top and hike with a buddy!

Awesome hike!! Great views! The trail is steep at the beginning and the end and the road is gravel with deep ruts. Recommend a truck or SUV. About 4.8 miles round trip.

Amazing, beautiful trail! Moderate trail, that is hard towards beginning, but gets easier, when trail opens up. Here are some cool photos, I took there, with my camera.

Crags Campground is a popular 4-season destination, even (perhaps especially) in the winter. Dog friendly. The campground is closed in the winter, but free parking is available 1.1 miles down the road from the Devil's Playground and Pike's Peak trailhead and 0.6 miles from the Raspberry Mountain trailhead. This time of year the hiking with microspikes and snowshoes is wonderful. The trail up to Pike's Peak is available for the more adventurous hikers. Often gorgeous conditions for cross country skiing or hiking up and snowboarding down various trails. Of course, check the weather in advance and come prepared! When checking the weather, the closest town is Divide, CO.

Beautiful hike that is a very easy hike for tourists and smallish children. Easy trail to follow with many things to see along the way. Only downside is that it is a very busy trail during tourist season.

Great trail to do on a sunny day. Try not to do it when it's too warm. Beautiful sprung green growth on the ground and in the trees. Would be wonderful to visit in the fall when the Aspens are turning gold.