Easy
Colorado · United States
- Distance
- 0.9 km / 0.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 35 m
- Typical duration
- 14 min
Cabin Canyon Trail
ModerateColorado · United States
- Distance
- 1.1 km (0.7 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 58 m (190 ft)
- Typical time
- 19 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- 1,955 m (6,414 ft)
About Cabin Canyon Trail
Cabin Canyon Trail is a 1.1 km hiking route in Colorado, United States. It climbs roughly 58 m (190 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,955 m (6,414 ft). Most people take around 19 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The effort is honest but manageable, and the hardest section is over quickly.
Walkways and rock-cut sections make the narrow part feel more dramatic than the numbers suggest.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 0.7 mi. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather. The nearest town of any size is Colorado Springs, about 7.2 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Cabin Canyon Trail suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate1.1 km58 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +58 m
- Descent
- −56 m
- High
- 1,955 m (6,414 ft)
- Low
- 1,913 m (6,276 ft)
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The gradient is spread evenly, so there is no single section that dictates your pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 21 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- High point of 1,955 m (6,414 ft)
- Canyon and gorge
- Circular route, no backtracking
Know before you go
- Best season
- June to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Patchy on the upper sections
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 60/100
- Adventure
- 26/100
- Difficulty
- 4/100
- Accessibility
- 83/100
- Family
- 46/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for june to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
- Narrow gorges flood quickly. Check the forecast upstream, not just where you are standing.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
No one has reviewed Cabin Canyon Trail yet. Be the first.
Trails near Cabin Canyon Trail
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Colorado · United States
- Distance
- 2.7 km / 1.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 569 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 24 min
- Mountain
Moderate
Colorado · United States
- Distance
- 4.3 km / 2.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 373 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 27 min
- Canyon and gorge
Moderate
Colorado · United States
- Distance
- 6.9 km / 4.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 851 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 43 min
- Mountain
- Canyon and gorge
Moderate
Colorado · United States
- Distance
- 6.1 km / 3.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 769 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 25 min
Moderate
Colorado · United States
- Distance
- 1.7 km / 1.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 226 m
- Typical duration
- 41 min