The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a mountain railway in Manitou Springs that carries passengers up to the 14,115-foot summit. The track covers 9 miles through changing plant zones, offering expansive views of the surrounding region.

The railway opened in 1891 and became the first cog railway in the United States to use a rack rail system for steep mountain climbs. This engineering breakthrough made it possible to safely transport passengers to extreme elevations.

The summit inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful after witnessing the expansive views from the peak. The journey reveals how the landscape transforms dramatically as elevation increases.

The round trip takes approximately three and a half hours with trains departing daily from the restored Manitou Springs depot. It is wise to bring weather-appropriate clothing and layers since temperatures drop noticeably at higher elevations.

Passengers can observe ancient Bristlecone pine trees during the climb, some over 2,000 years old. These ancient trees grow in the higher zones and demonstrate the resilience of life in extreme conditions.

Location: Colorado

Official opening: 1889

Website: https://cograilway.com

GPS coordinates: 38.85600,-104.93100

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:00