For many Colorado hikers, the Manitou Incline is more than a workout. It is a local legend.
Climbing more than 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile, the Incline has challenged athletes, military personnel, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors from around the world for decades. Originally constructed in 1907 as part of a cable railway system on Pikes Peak, the route eventually evolved into one of Colorado’s most iconic hiking destinations.
By 2014, years of heavy use and severe erosion had taken a toll on the trail. The City of Colorado Springs needed a solution that would improve safety, protect critical infrastructure, preserve its historic character and withstand the extreme conditions found on the mountainside.
The Manitou Incline Renovation was created to address these challenges, and Timberline Landscaping was selected to help bring that vision to life.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: Did the Manitou Incline renovation make it easier to climb?
Answer:
Why the Manitou Incline Restoration was Needed
The Manitou Incline’s popularity created unique challenges.
Thousands of hikers used the trail each year, while intense storms and steep terrain continually accelerated erosion. Portions of the trail became unstable, drainage issues worsened, and critical infrastructure, including a live water line, required protection. The City of Colorado Springs sought a long-term solution that balanced safety, environmental stewardship, and historic preservation.
From Illegal Trail to Colorado Icon
For more than two decades, hiking the Manitou Incline was technically considered trespassing. After the former railway closed in 1990, thousands of hikers continued using the route despite posted “No Trespassing” signs.
Following years of planning and collaboration between local agencies, the Incline officially became legal to hike on February 1, 2013. Just one year later, Timberline Landscaping began the major restoration project to stabilize the trail, improve safety, and help preserve one of Colorado’s most famous outdoor destinations for future generations.
Preserving the Challenge
One of the guiding principles of the renovation was that the Manitou Incline should remain the Manitou Incline. The goal was never to make the climb easier. Instead, the project focused on repairing damage caused by erosion, improving stability, and creating a safer, more sustainable trail experience while preserving the challenge hikers have come to expect.
The Engineering Challenge: Building on a 68% Grade
The Manitou Incline was not most projects
With grades reaching 68% and limited access throughout the corridor, transporting materials became one of the most difficult aspects of the renovation. Helicopters were used to fly in materials and equipment, while crews hiked the trail daily carrying tools and supplies by hand.
Careful planning was required to maximize every helicopter lift and minimize disturbance to the surrounding environment.
Behind the scenes, the project demanded an extraordinary level of dedication from the construction team. Crew members worked in challenging mountain conditions, navigating steep terrain while rebuilding sections of one of Colorado’s most iconic trails. Their efforts included constructing retaining walls, stabilizing slopes, improving drainage systems, and replacing damaged trail infrastructure—all while working hundreds of feet above the trailhead.
For a closer look at the people and craftsmanship behind the project, read our story, “Rebuilding the Manitou Incline: The Crew Behind the Reconstruction.”
The extreme terrain, combined with ongoing erosion concerns and the need to preserve the trail’s historic character, made the Manitou Incline one of the most complex restoration projects Timberline Landscaping has ever undertaken.
Erosion Control Solutions Built for the Long Term
The renovation focused on stabilizing the trail while preserving its rugged character.
Key improvements included:
- Construction of 39 retaining walls
- Reconstruction of damaged timber stair sections
- Stormwater drainage improvements
- Boulder retaining structures
- Geogrid-reinforced stabilization systems
- Additional erosion control measures throughout the corridor
These improvements helped protect the trail from future washouts while improving user safety and preserving the natural mountain landscape.
Preserving a Piece of Colorado History
The Manitou Incline began as a narrow-gauge railway constructed in 1907 to support pipeline construction on Pikes Peak. Over time, it became one of the most recognizable outdoor recreation destinations in Colorado. Historic preservation played an important role throughout the renovation process, requiring construction methods that respected the site’s unique heritage while preparing it for future generations of hikers.
Learn More about this Colorado Icon:
National Recognition for an Extraordinary Project
The scale, complexity, and environmental impact of the project earned national recognition.
Timberline Landscaping received the Grand Award for Erosion Control and Ecological Restoration from the National Association of Landscape Professionals for its work on the Manitou Incline restoration. The award recognized both the engineering achievements and the project’s long-term environmental benefits.
The Work Didn't End in 2014
While the award-winning 2014 restoration addressed some of the Incline’s most critical erosion and stability issues, the effort to preserve the trail continued. Timberline Landscaping returned for additional phases of reconstruction, including Phase III in 2017. This phase focused on the upper portion of the trail near the False Summit and included tie replacement, installation of a cabling system to help prevent future movement, and additional erosion-control features such as retaining walls, rock dams, and water chases. Helicopters were again used to transport materials into the rugged work zone.
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