Santa Fe Trail

Closest Major City: Colorado Springs

Distance: 25.00 miles (40.23 KM)

Description:
Goes from Downtown COS to Palmer Lake through the US Air Force Academy. Extending from the Palmer Lake Recreation area off County Line Road in northern El Paso County to the city of Colorado Springs, this 15-mile trail drops 1200 feet in elevation as it follows a 6.5-mile portion of the abandoned Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad line along the front range corridor through the U.S. Air Force Academy. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders enjoy a variety of wildlife, abundant wildflowers, open grasslands, cottonwoods and ponderosa pines, interesting geological landmarks such as Elephant Rock and Monument Rock, and magnificent views, including Pikes Peak, along the mountainous backdrop. It is paved from Downtown to Woodman Road and then it is gravel from then on to Palmer Lake.

Directions to the trail:
There are access points at Woodman Road just West of I-25 Exit 149, North Gate off of I-25 which is also Glen Eagle Exit, Baptist Road. In Colo Spgs, there are access points South of Austin Bluffs and Mark Dabbling, Monument Valley Park and near Colorado College Campus.