Shaded by lowland hardwoods, the 1.5-mile-long trail running through Laura Stark’s memory leads to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. On weekends, Stark’s family biked through a magical corridor to reach Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, with its stunning limestone bluffs and beloved 53-foot waterfall.
It wasn’t until years later, when she took a job with the Rails to Trails Conservancy, that Stark learned about the path’s hidden history as a railroad track.
Chances are, you, too, have used a rail-trail without knowing it. Since the 1960s, communities nationwide have reimagined decommissioned railway lines, transforming old train tracks into a national network of scenic “rail-trails” that offer modern recreators a glimpse into the past while inviting opportunities for exercise and active transit.
The rail-trail movement really took off in 1963, when American naturalist May Theilgaard Watts wrote a letter to the editor of The Chicago Tribune envisioning a path along an abandoned course of the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad. A few rail trails were already built, and in addition to helping create the Illinois Prairie Path, Watts’ letter sparked a national grassroots effort that paved the way for 25,934 miles (and counting) of rail trails in all 50 states.
The Rails to Trails Conservancy formed in 1986, and while the group’s focus has since shifted to the advancement and development of all trails, rail trails will always be a cornerstone of the conservancy’s mission.
“The rail-trail is a great concept because we’re reusing existing corridors,” said Stark, RTC’s senior editor.
Since railroad lines linked communities, rail trails typically function as connectors, too. While there’s no standard rail-trail surface – developers choose surfaces to best meet local needs – the vast majority of rail trails are low-grade since it was cheaper and easier to construct railroad tracks on level terrain. In the mountains, though, there are certainly some exceptions to that rule.
Colorado claims at least 40 rail trails, according to the conservancy’s TrailLink app (traillink.com). Many of our regional rail trails wind through iconic locales and jaw-dropping settings. In case you need another reason to hit the trails, April 26 marks Celebrate Trails Day, an annual Rails to Trails Conservancy observance prompting pedestrians nationwide to walk, hike, bike and roll into spring.
Here are a few rail trails to kickstart the 2025 hiking season.
Aspen to Glenwood Springs
Length: 42 miles
End points: Herron Park, 108 Neale Ave. (Aspen) and Two Rivers Park, 740 Devereux Road (Glenwood Springs)
Trail surfaces: asphalt with some sections of concrete and compacted gravel
Set high in the Rockies, serving an average of 85,000 users annually, the Rio Grande Trail is Colorado’s longest rail trail. For a short bike ride, or a longer day hike, explore the 8-mile segment from Aspen to Woody Creek, the laidback mountain town that Hunter S. Thompson called home. Woody Creek Tavern, 2858 Upper River Road, is a popular hangout offering lunch and dinner seven days a week.
You might also consider a pit stop in Basalt, an old railroad town, where you can’t go wrong with Westbound & Down, 371 Market St. Or bring provisions to enjoy at one of the picnic tables and benches along the route.
Regardless of how far you venture out, be ready for a seriously scenic excursion as you follow the Roaring Fork River past towering mountain peaks, sagebrush plains and ranchlands. Look for anglers on the banks of the water, along with feathered fishermen such as bald eagles, osprey and blue herons.
Hikers who’d rather tour the trail’s western reaches can start in Glenwood Springs, at Two Rivers Park, 740 Devereux Road, and begin walking south, away from town. Treat this segment as an out-and-bike hike, or haul it to mile marker 6.8 and catch a bus back to town. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority operates multiple lines with stops along the Rio Grande Trail; visit rfta.com/how-to/bike-ride for details.
You’ll have a couple of options for soaking tired legs in hot springs: Iron Mountain Hot Springs, 281 Centennial St., and Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, 401 N. River St. (the latter is a family-friendly property). There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the newish outdoor dining area under the bridge, in Bethel Plaza, 704 Grand Ave.
For a daylong excursion, start in Aspen – try Aspen Collection, 611 E. Durant Ave., or Four Mountain Sports, multiple locations, for rentals – and coast 2,000 feet downhill to reach Glenwood Springs in 3 to 4 hours.
Be advised: The Rio Grande Trail is open year-round, but the section between Rock Bottom Ranch and Catherine Bridge is closed seasonally until April 30 to protect wildlife. If you try the ride later this spring, and aren’t too keen on the uphill climb back to Pitkin County, two bike-accommodating bus lines – the L and BRT routes – will cart riders between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, from early April through November. Free bike loading is first-come, first-served, and you’ll have to get on at a designated bike loading stop. A map is available on RFTA’s website.
Leadville
Length: 11.7 miles
End points: The dirt pullout near 999 S. Highway 24 (Leadville)
Trail surfaces: Asphalt
Most rail trails are straight and relatively flat, but Leadville’s Mineral Belt Trail is one of the rule-breakers. The wide path forms a circle around North America’s highest incorporated town, maintaining an average grade of 3 percent – though some spots are steeper. Expect undulations as you loop past a slew of historic mining relics that have been preserved for trail users. Interpretative signs also bring Leadville’s colorful past to life, making this outing as educational as it is scenic. (Psst, parents: Ask kids to look for the Bigfoot cutouts around mile markers 3 and 9.)
To reduce the intensity, start your adventure at Mile Marker 0, located north of Colorado Mountain College Leadville, at the dirt pullout servicing Dutch Henry Tubing Hill. Portable toilets are available at this trailhead, and if you travel clockwise, you’ll be moving downhill on the steepest trail segments.
At over 10,000 feet in elevation, the Mineral Belt integrates portions of three major rail lines that served Leadville in the early 1900s. Hikers and bikers get sweeping views of the Collegiate Peaks and Mount Elbert, Colorado’s tallest mountain. In March and April, bring your snowshoes, Nordic skis or fat bike: This trail is snow-packed and groomed through early spring; it should be cleared for regular walking and biking by May.
Those who would prefer a shorter undertaking can start in the town’s mining district. Park on East Fifth or East Seventh streets, at the pullouts near the Trail Street intersection, and treat your walk or ride as an out-and-back excursion.
Afterward, check out the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, 120 W. Ninth St., or take a ride on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, 326 E. Seventh St., a tourist train offering scenic, roundtrip rides. Be sure to book your Winter Express reservations online in advance.
You’ll also want to spend some time perusing Leadville’s charming shops and restaurants, including The Famous, at 313 Harrison Ave., a pizza joint and sports pub located next door to Cycles of Life, 309 Harrison Ave., where riders can procure rentals for the day. Those starting from Mile Marker 0 might try Two Mile Brewing Company, 101 Harrison Ave., just south of town.
“Leadville is Colorado’s two-mile-high city,” Stark reminds trail users, adding, “Be prepared to be a little winded.” Pack plenty of water and layers since the weather can change in an instant in the High Country.
Manitou Springs
Length: 1 (very tough) mile
Access point: Barr Trailhead, 98 Hydro St. (Manitou Springs)
Trail surfaces: Uneven wooden steps; dirt
For a serious workout, Stark suggests the Manitou Incline. This wildly popular rail-trail route offers a heart-pounding, mile-long ascent up a series of stairs. Breathtaking panoramic views are the reward for major physical endurance. (Actually, forget the vistas: It’s mostly the climb that’ll have you gasping for air.)
Originally built in 1907 as a funicular servicing a nearby hydroelectric plant, the Incline has since been converted into a staircase, essentially, with some 2,700 wooden steps running along the path of the old rail line.
Take note: These steps are uneven and can be as high as 2 feet at points, making this hike notoriously tough. With an average grade of 45 percent, the Manitou Incline ascends 2,000 feet in under a mile. About 300 steps below the final summit, there’s a soul-crushing false summit that marks the beginning of a 68-percent-grade segment. This will be your last chance to bail before reaching the summit. Two additional bail-outs precede the false summit, allowing climbers to hop onto Barr Trail, which zigzags up the mountain.
If you’re up for the challenge, carry at least 2 liters of water (more is better), along with electrolyte drinks and high-energy snacks. Don’t forget sunscreen, sturdy athletic shoes, and layers; some people find trekking poles help with balance during the ascent. Start early, especially in summer, to avoid the heat, and remember to pace yourself.
Despite its demanding course, the Manitou Include is a popular workout spot, drawing some 70,000 visitors annually. A reservation system helps to manage the growing number of hiking enthusiasts. Be sure to make your reservation in advance online at coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/manitou-incline. Through April 30, winter hours are from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Once you reach the top, the Barr Trail provides a gentler (but not exactly gentle), miles-long descent through sparse forest on dirt singletrack. Parking is available, for a fee, at the Hiawatha Gardens Parking Lot, 10 Old Man’s Trail. A free shuttle takes hikers from this lot to the trailhead. For a closer option, you can park at Iron Springs Melodrama, 444 Ruxton Ave., for $15.
There’s no trail parking permitted at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway’s Manitou Depot, 515 Ruxton Ave., but if you’re digging the rail-trail theme, then you might want to book a roundtrip seat to the top of Pikes Peak on this scenic line. You can also hike up the fourteener, via the 13-mile Barr Trail, and ride the Cog back down. Or take the Cog up, and bike down.
Post-adventure, you should definitely reward yourself with lunch in the quirky town of Manitou Springs. Totally Nuts & Company, 919 Manitou Ave., sells great homemade lemonade. Once you’re hydrated, choose from a handful of restaurants in downtown Manitou Springs – they’re all locally owned and operated.
Last year, more than 20,000 people nationwide participated in Celebrate Trails Day, and there will likely be Colorado events to commemorate the special day. Visit railstotrails.org, and click on the Celebrate Trails Day link to access a running list of events in your area.
“Celebrate Trails Day events are awesome,” Stark added, “but we also encourage people to go out on their own, to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine with family and friends.”