It’s a hike that’s a pound-for-pound contender among the ‘most difficult hikes’ in the United States. Of course, people will have some complains.

While the social media era has landed the Manitou Incline on the bucket lists of many adventurers around the country due to its one-of-a-kind nature, the physical challenge it brings, and the good views to be found along the way, it’s no laughing matter. It undoubtedly lives up to the hype in terms of strenuous hikes, and it’s hard to prepare for, shocking most hikers with just how intense it is during their first climb up its 2,768 steps and 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile.

While the Manitou Incline holds a high rating of 4.7 stars of five on TripAdvisor, 4.7 stars of five on Yelp, and 4.9 stars of five on AllTrails, not everyone is happy with their hiking experience. Here’s a look at what a few of the hikers had to say – both good and bad:

Many people point out how intense it is:

“If you’ve come this far in your search for The Incline, then you have been sufficiently warned. Not for the faint of heart.” – William C., Yelp, Five Stars

“Great test of endurance, will power and mental fortitude. Reviews are spot on…not for the ‘faint of heart’.” – James D., Yelp, Five Stars

“Brutal and satisfying at the same time.” – Cam S., Yelp, Five Stars

Crowding seems to be among common complaints:

“If you don’t mind being run over by Lululemon lunatics and drill sergeant dad’s trying to torture their kids, then this might be enjoyable for you. Just lots and lots of people dripping buckets of sweat and talking about how miserable they are.” – Zach A., Yelp, Three Stars.

“This is a place just waiting for an accident to happen. Too many people attempt this climb that have never hiked such a steep incline. It is NOT a hike in the mountains; Rather it is just a climb up many stair treads. Dangerous; Foolish.” – Jack W., TripAdvisor, One Star.

“We were at the start of the hike before 7 a.m. and my mouth dropped when I saw the hordes of people already doing it. Saw a guy with his selfie stick turn around at least three times and nearly whack people in the head.” – intlwanderlust, TripAdvisor, Three Stars.

While a lot of people also seem to underestimate how difficult the hike will be:

“Hate your legs? Ever wish they would fall off? Have you ever looked down and said ‘Legs, what have you ever done for me?’. Then this is the climb for you!” – Dave P., Yelp, Three Stars.

“My brother took me here on my visit to Colorado. I really found it to be an interesting experience but the trail tried to kill me. I realized real quick how much I was not in shape. I almost passed out a quarter of the way up. The elevation is high and the oxygen is low. The trail can be a bit extreme. The stairs we partially covered in ice. This is not just a Sunday stroll.” – Titus W., Yelp, Two Stars.

“When we got to the start we really wondered what we got ourselves into… but continued on. Thought we were going to die. It was def a challenge. Took us an hour and 45 min to reach the top. Reaching the top made it def worth it.” – Lauren A., Yelp, Four Stars.

“I toyed with the idea of giving the incline 4 stars, but my lack of fitness is no reason to knock this lovely hike. Let me be clear: this hike is REALLY tough!!! When I finished I told my mom to imagine something really challenging…whatever it is, the incline is harder than that.” – Emily H., Yelp, Five Stars.

“The Manitou Incline isn’t just a hike — it’s a vertical stairway to heaven designed by someone who clearly hated knees. I’ll admit it: I didn’t actually climb it. My wife did, and if I had tried, this review would’ve been written posthumously because I’d have had a heart attack somewhere around step number twelve.” – Raymond J., Yelp, Five Stars

The lack of bathroom options on the way up may be an overlooked concern, too:

“Was ok, but no bathroom breaks for over an hour each way… don’t take kids… very overpriced.” – Deana M., Yelp, Three Stars

Note: There are porta-potties at the start of the hike, but not at the top.

And, of course, there are parking complaints, though the current shuttle system makes this a bit easier:

“It’s a tourist trap with garbage parking. I was looking forward to climbing the the incline but because of the lack of parking, my party of 4 couldn’t enjoy it.” – Matthew S., TripAdvisor, One Star.

Don’t read these reviews and think ‘the incline isn’t for me, though.’ As was noted, it’s a highly-rated hike and many people enjoy it – some even obsess over it. It’s literally played a role in changing lives for the better. The big catch is that it is as much of a workout as people make it out to be. If you haven’t been hiking much and have concerns about your cardio, this is probably a hike to work up to opposed to a ‘first hike of the year.’

With that said, here are a few tips for making the most of your Manitou Incline adventure:

1. Pace yourself. It can’t be stressed enough how strenuous this hike is. It’s steep and the stairs just don’t seem to stop. Pace yourself. Take breaks when needed. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

2. Know your parking options beforehand. While paying $15 cash and parking near the bottom of the Incline is possible, this parking area is very limited. The better option nowadays seems to be utilizing the paid street parking on the way into town before the main strip of restaurants and stores (last reported at $7 a day), and hop on the free shuttle. This adds about 15 to 20 minutes to your trip each way, but it eliminates the stress of trying to park in a tiny mountain town.

Avoid parking in the main street area, as these options are hourly. Also avoid parking on many other streets around town, as the vast majority of these spots are ‘residential parking only’ and Manitou Springs tends to be quick about enforcement in these zones. If you think you’ve found a ‘magical spot to park’ where there aren’t restrictions or fees, triple-check – there’s probably a sign hiding somewhere.

Note: It’s possible parking options will expand in the near-future. Last time this writer was in the town, construction projects seemed to be underway where parking has been found in the past.

3. Pack accordingly. While it’s important not to overpack at the risk of carrying excessive weight up 2,768 steps, it’s important not to underpack, too. Focus on the essentials when packing your bag. Bring plenty of food and water, along with some warmer or waterproof layers to utilize should a storm roll in. Remember, the top of the Incline is 2,000 feet higher than its base, so it tends to be a bit cooler up there. In terms of clothing, layers are crucial, as you can expect to be very hot on the way up and sweat-covered on the way down.

4. Familiarize yourself with the route

While everyone knowns the Incline for its massive staircase, it’s important to note that the recommend descending route is Barr Trail – easily accessible from the top of the Incline and about 3.5 miles long. It’s also worth knowing where the bailout options are at, as these can give you an option to divert from the steps of the Incline part-way to the top – much better than heading back down the stairs if you need to turn back. There’s one bailout around railroad tie 400, another around tie 1,300, and a third around tie 1,800.

5. Remember, no dogs allowed. For various reasons, dogs aren’t allowed on the Manitou Incline. This is a hike where the pup will need to be left at home. If you happen to be reading this article from the base of the Manitou Incline and you just realized that dogs aren’t allowed, Barr Trail is a great nearby and dog-friendly option.

6. Beware of the ‘False Summit.’ Whether it’s your first time on the Incline or you’re a return visitor, it can be easy to get fooled by the false summit found around step 1,800. It looks like you’re reaching the top, only to crest over the false summit to see another steep stretch ahead. Instead of looking up at the trail to see how far you’re progressing, pay attention to the metal placards on the right side of ties (I believe it’s every 100th step).

7. Don’t ignore the elevation gain. Altitude sickness can be a very real risk when it comes to climbing the Manitou Incline thanks to how quickly elevation is gained and how intense the hike is. This can be especially problematic for out-of-towners who are visiting Colorado from a lower elevation. Watch out for symptoms of nausea, exhaustions, and headaches and turn around if you need to. Getting dizzy in the middle of a steep staircase can be a very dangerous situation.

8. It’s hard to miss all of the crowds, but the Incline is sometimes less crowded. While extreme crowding can be a common gripe of those on the Incline, the crowding is really only ‘that bad’ during the weekend. Hit the trail earlier to miss the biggest crowds and hit it early on a weekday for the best case scenario.

Learn more about climbing the Manitou Incline here.

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