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The New Santa Fe Regional Trail provides a scenic almost 18-mile journey along the front range of the mountains, from Palmer Lake Recreation Area in northern El Paso County through the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
About the Route
The New Santa Fe Regional Trail is popular among hikers, cyclists (hybrids or mountain bikes would be best-suited to the trail), equestrians and families out for a stroll. Along the way there are interpretive signs, wildlife and interesting geological features, not to mention incredible views, in particular Pikes Peak.
The trail passes through the town of Monument, where there are restaurants and some shops, as well as through the Air Force Academy, so don't be surprised to see jets overhead.
The trail follows a portion of the former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad line, which, heading north to south drops 1,200 feet in elevation.
Connections
At the southern end of the trail at Woodmen Road, the New Santa Fe Regional Trail becomes the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.
The New Santa Fe Regional Trail runs between Greenland Open Space on County Line Rd (Larkspur) and the Edmondson Trailhead (250 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs), both of which offer parking.
Parking is also available at:
Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
We rode from the Woodmen parking area north to Monument. This trail is well maintained. Just need to watch for the fast riders around some short turns.
Parked at the trail head off Woodman Road. Very nice trail. Some ups on loose rock and gravel. There are spots that had a fair bit of sand to pedal through. I would suggest Mountain or Gravel bike for this trail. Would ride again! Super fun and really nice scenery!
My wife and son rode from North gate to Palmer Lake and back. It’s a good track that’s relatively flat as compared to section 16 that my son and I normally ride. Recommend this section for and easy ride.
We parked at the Pikes Peak Greenway TH and rode the southern 10 miles out and back. Bathroom and water were still closed for the season here on April 16th, 2017 after a month of 70 degree weather. Gradual uphill in this direction but the rolling hills make it tough to realize the accumulated elevation. The trail runs relatively close to the freeway, but often seems on a distant prairie with frequent nice views of Pikes Peak. Trail surface is deep sand, loose gravel, with rolling hills.
This is a great trail. The only problem was that it was closed going into the Academy. I heard a couple of days ago that they will now open access into the Academy.
As far as I know, and at least up until today (June 23, 2015), the stretch of this trail that goes through the Air Force Academy is closed. I'm hoping they open it again very soon!
This trail is long with great views of mountains and near train tracks if your a train person. (4:30PM) Although my party and I have only done about 3-4 miles, it was a great trail from what we've seen. I think the best part of this trail was seeing lots of people coming and going. Mostly on bikes, however several on foot.
Had a nice ride on the New Santa Fe trail yesterday. Parking (@Woodman) lot was at capacity. Others were empty.
While the majority of the trail was in good condition, some of the sections were loose gravel. The steeper areas where washouts are occuring need some maintenance.
"RIDE THE TRAIL FROM MONUMENT TO THE USAF ACADEMY. THEN FROM MONUMENT TO GREENLAND TRAILHEAD. WE HAD A GREAT TIME. THE SCENERY WAS GREAT. WE HAD BIKE TROUBLE AND WENT TO THE BIKE SHOP IN MONUMENT, WHICH IS VERY NEAR THE SANTA FE TRAIL, AND RECEIVED EXCELLENT SERVICE, THE OWNER WAS VERY HELPFUL. I WILL VERY LIKELY RIDE IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. FOR A FLATLANDER THE TRAIL WAS A LITTLE CHALLENGING, DUE TO THE ALTITUDE, BUT A LOT OF FUN. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TRAIL, I WOULD RATE IT AS EASY AND AS SCENIC."
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