The Incline is a one-mile hike of intense straight-up climbing. The hike increases fast in elevation climbing up 2,000 feet in just under a mile. The average grade for the trail is 45 percent and, in some places, it is even as steep as 68 percent. This hike is not for the faint of heart.
Cost: Free
Wheelchair accessible: No
What To Bring?
When going for a hike you must always pack light. While you want to bring water and other items you don’t want your bag to be too heavy or weigh you down. Personally, I always bring some water, a light jacket (because it gets colder as you go up in elevation), and small snacks.
How To Prepare?
I don’t want you to think this hike will be easy because the incline is no joke, but I will say that while I love a good hike for many reasons, I am no fitness junkie. With that said, the incline was hard but actually easier than I expected. I had not been training or even working out before tackling a hike like this. I just did it! The only way to prepare is to just know your own personal fitness level. I suggest that if you are nervous about completing this hike, then you can start at the halfway point and complete the full incline on your next trip.!
The View
One of my favorite things about hiking is the reward you get after completing the hike. Not only do you feel so happy that you just completed the damn thing but the stunning view makes it so worth it! The Incline is no different, the view is worth every 2000 plus steps it took to you to get to it. While climbing, and once at the top, you can see Garden of the Gods which is only about a 10 to 15-minute drive away.
Hiking Down
Since the Incline is so steep it is not recommended to go back down the same way. Although I did see several people doing this, I won’t subject myself to it. Instead, I took the 4-mile trail that you can follow back down. Barr trail is a semi-short hike back down that consists of a very winding path and great views of pikes peak.
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