🥾 Hiking & Trails
Free Section 16 Trail
3370 W High Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
A 5.5-mile loop in the Bear Creek/Stratton area with steady switchbacks, scrub-oak ridges, and big payoff views over the city — the locals' favorite "real" hike near downtown.
The Section 16 Loop is one of the more honest workouts in town — about 1,400 ft of climb in 2 miles, then a long ridge with views, then a mellow return through Bear Creek Canyon. Connects to Palmer Trail for a longer day.
Park at the Section 16 / Intemann trailhead at the corner of 26th and Gold Camp Road. Heavy mountain-bike traffic on weekend mornings — go counterclockwise to avoid most of it.