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Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Categories: Hotels & Travel Tours Hotels & Travel Transportation Tours, Transportation [Edit]
515 Ruxton AvenueManitou Springs, CO 80829
(719) 685-5401
42 reviews for Pikes Peak Cog Railway
42 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer V.
Aurora, CO
1/31/2012
Can I say this was the best thing I did in the springs?
Its worth every penny, even double the price!! I loved the ride up and back, the condustor wass informative and funny, the views were spectacular and the back history plain old fun.
I liked the litle gift shops at the station.
The seats are hard and it can get a bit chilly so bring a jacket. -
Review from Terry B.
2/3/2012
Do you know the words to America the Beautiful were written based on memories from being atop Pikes Peak? Do you know how Kathy Bates (OK, Katharine, but it's funnier if you say Kathy Bates and imagine her in Misery) got to the top of Pikes Peak? I'm pretty sure the cog railway wasn't built at that point.
But, if you take the cog rail up...it's an interesting trip. You get a lot of interesting history and great views. It beats driving behind Texans and their SUVs, then down behind Texans and their SUVs. It's also a lot easier than hiking up, and then down. Highly recommended, but I'm pretty sure you have to get tickets far in advance. And if you can't get tickets...make sure your brakes are in working order. -
Review from Jenny B.
DON'T COME HERE during winter time, PLEASE COME AGAIN around March-May. I wish we had known this fact before driving all the way down to Manitou Springs from Keystone resort. We're only allowed to go as high as 12000ft, due to the winds up to 175mph on top. Although I still don't see the difference with or without snow, I realized somehow that with the snow and wind, the train was allowed to go to the Summit above 14000ft.
Yes, the ticket was cheaper at $26 rather than $34, but only stopping at one tiny stop called "Four Mile" I don't think the view did any justice. I got dizzy when the train stop because we were slanted and up that high with less oxygen, you'll get sick easily, so if you guys want to enjoy the whole trip, do come back between March-May where the trains run 6x in a day. When I went, the only train available was at noon and instead of 4 hours round trip, we only had 2 hours. Nonetheless, the view indeed was amazing, I just wished we could step out and enjoy it, instead of being stuck in a full passenger train.
Parking was free, right across from the depot and yes, you can bring snack on to the train. I would suggest to reserve your tickets only, even tho they did charged convenience fee of $1, it would ensure that you can board the train at the time that you want. Seats are automated, you can't select, but I believe the earlier you reserve, the better seat you got, because we have 4 people and they put us together facing each other.
All in all, this tourist trap is worth seeing, but again I repeat, come back between March-May if you do want to reach the Summit Peak. -
Review from Stephen D.
Bixby, OK
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
First off, this is the biggest tourist trap around Pike's Peak. I have been coming to Colorado several times every year since I was born, and I have to say, WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO DO THIS??? The views you will experience are second to none. When you start the steep grade climb the thousands of miles you can see across is simple stunning. My words simply will never do the views justice. The other thing that is really neat is the train itself. To see how it works and climbs a huge mountain is really somthing!
A quick tip for future train riders, when booking your tickets get seats on the three seat side! That is the side that always faces away from the mountain and has the best views! -
Review from Steven B.
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great way to spend a sunny day. It's all about the ride up and the top. More about this later.
The ride up- Beautiful views out the very big windows. As many have said your Conductor will have dozens of cheesy jokes to assault your senses. Many are packed with interesting trivia. The train is neat and clean and reasonably comfortable. Drink water. When you are done drink more water. Finally drink more water again. Altitude sickness can be a bear.
The top- Spectacular views of five states. Absolutely worth the trip. The gift shop is nothing special but the doughnuts are fantastic!
The ride down- Basically it's a ride down the same tracks. The guide answers a few questions but is basically quiet. The entire trip is definitely worth the $34 price.
When you get back down don't forget to have lunch or dinner in the beautiful village of Manitou Springs. It's a great little place to eat and shop. -
Review from Amanda S.
Humble, TX
11/28/2011
This was a nice trip for our family. The scenery was beautiful & the conductor was funny. At the top we got snowed on (late November) so there wasn't really a view, but the snow was well worth it for my family that had never seen snow. A bit pricey & train was jam packed w/only one open seat, but other than that it was great
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Review from Heather M.
Denver, CO
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first time was yesterday after living in CO for almost six years...staff is great....views are amazing...make sure to dress warmly because although it was in the 70s at the base, it was 30s at the summit with snow. Also try to sit on the 3 person side (assigned seats when you pick up your tickets) because the views are much better on that side in my opinion. Check out the train's website for coupons...we got $5 off per ticket.
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Review from Jennifer B.
Denver, CO
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was a wonderful day trip. My Dad was visiting from PA and we had a whole day to do what we wanted. We decided to take the 1.5 hour drive to the cute little town of Manitou Springs. Beautiful drive towards the mountains.
Got there just in time to make the 12:00 train to the top. I can see what people mean in previous reviews, reservations would be helpful depending on the day. Once we were seated we found out that the rest of the trains for the day were sold out, so some pre-planning may be helpful. We grabbed some water for the trip and entered our train car. Seats were not perfect but acceptable for the time spent in them. As stated multiple times previous the jokes are funny and corny, some expected, and some very unique ones. Throughout the trip up the Conductor is full of interesting tid bits and interesting knowledge about the Mountain so pay attention.
The trip was mesmerizing with even more breathtaking views at the top. Totally worth the money and the time it takes to get to the top. The view you had on the trip up is the same one you get on the way down unless you can convince someone that was sitting in the opposite direction to switch seats with you.
I wish we got a little bit more time at the top, it seemed short lived. Per the recommendation from my Yelp family we took part in the fresh made donuts at the top on the Mountain. Very good recommendation. They were very yummy - I recommend the bag of 6, that was perfect.
Fabulous thing to do on a hot day since you will be 30-40 degrees cooler at the top, nice fresh, cool air to take in.
If I can impart anything for future visitors, drink water. What do mean? I mean drink water. What should I drink? WATER!! -
Review from Ed P.
Dallas, TX
7/29/2011
We had put this off because my son is in a wheelchair, and we didn't know how he would do with the altitude. After talking it over with his pulminologist, we got the green light to give it a go.
One word to describe it is breathtaking. You feel like you are on top of the world when you get to the summit. We were lucky had a pretty clear day. The pics we took were stunning.
As far as accessibility goes, the train and associated things are pretty accessible. You won't find handicap parking in the parking lot, but if you tell them what you need, they'll accommodate you and block off the parking space next to you so that you can get they wheelchair in and out.
While it may seem a bit pricey at around $30 a person, it was so worth it. -
Review from Michelle G.
Lisle, IL
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Driving up to Pike's Peak will cost you about $40 (and in our case, the last 6 miles of the road were closed), and the person driving is going to be executing the hairpin turns at 20 mph so they'll miss out on the views anyways (unless you're trying to drive off the cliff). Taking the train allows you a narrated ride up to the peak, slow enough to take everything in, but not so slow that you'll pass out on the ride to the top.
Two complaints: hard seats, and not enough time at the peak. Then again, it was darn cold up there. -
Review from Tory w.
9/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
How do you review a cog railway? I mean, with positive reviews for the scenery and the weather, Mother Nature gets the credit, right?
Scenery aside, this was one of the more worthwhile day trips I have taken in my life. All of the employees were really personable, especially our conductor, who gave us nonstop commentary throughout the entire 1 1/2 hour trip up the mountain. He was interesting too, I actually listened and learned. The trains themselves are very clean and spacious, and the whole operation runs smoothly. At the top, of course, the views are breathtaking (or maybe that was the altitude?) and the restaurant has "world famous" donuts - my advice is to stick with the fresh ones and not try the $3 donuts that they say are coated with $17 fudge - as good as that sounds, ours were kind of stale. Not that you would climb 14,000 feet for donuts. Or maybe you would.
The bathrooms on top are clean, and you have more than enough time on top to roam around, explore, and take pictures.
Definitely worth the time and money. Make reservations in summer, and look on their website for discounts.
America the beautiful. -
Review from Michael S.
Marina del Rey, CA
7/18/2010 5 photos
It's been two weeks since we went up Pikes Peak on the Cog Railway, so, we've had some time to adjust back to normal altitude and full brain functions. Even back at sea level, I still think the Pikes Peak Cog Railway was worth the expense ($$$) versus driving up the mountain.
We lucked into probably the best seats on the train: the last row of the last car facing out the huge back windows. I don't know if you can "request" seats when picking up your tickets, but try to get those three seats.
Of course, the main benefit of the ride is the views. The Friday before July 4th was a beautiful day. We could see really well down the hill looking back towards Colorado Springs while on the train. We also saw lots of small wildlife and even a couple deer, but sadly no bears.
At the top of Pikes Peak (is that Pikes Peak peak?), we only got about 45 minutes. That was enough time to start to get adjusted to the 14,100 ft elevation, snack on some of their famous and fresh donuts (tasty), and snap some pics looking out from all directions. The day was so clear we could reportedly see Kansas and Oklahoma from the top. Ok, I'll take their word for it.
The staff working the booths, the hilarious announcer during the ride up, and the friendly driver were all on their game that day. Parking was a bit of a headache since Manitou Springs is small, but it worked itself out when we found a spot just down the street.
I'd actually consider going again on the cog rail during a future Colorado vacation in the winter just to see the difference with all the snow. The cog runs during all months of the year. It's totally for tourists and I was one. If the price was cheaper, I'd give it 5 stars. -
Review from Cheryl A.
Castle Rock, CO
3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
A nice way of finally getting to the top. Tried to drive a few times even during the summer, but never made it. The conductor, Mel, was very entertaining by providing historic facts and trivia. We even got to see some female big horned sheep, which is unusual in March.
Bring a seat cushion if you like comfort. The gift shop was unremarkable, as were the snacks. Bring your own food and drink plenty of water before you get on the train, as well as during the trip.
All in all, a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Reservations are a good idea. We were lucky to snag a spot from the waitlist. Dress in layers - it's pretty cold & windy at the top!!! -
Review from Michele D.
Niles, IL
8/27/2010
This was a really fun train ride. The scenery was gorgeous! The announcer was pretty funny and informative, but I wish he would have talked more on the way down.
Once we got to the top, we had a little less than an hour to walk around, shop in the gift shop (of course) and get a little food in the restaurant if we wanted. The donuts are the best! I highly recommend getting the donuts and nothing else. We tried a bunch of the other food and it was overpriced and nothing to write home about. The donuts, however, were excellent! They were even warm.
The ride back down was uneventful. The guide didn't talk much. He walked around selling dvds and little books.
This is definitely the way to see Pike's Peak. I think driving up would be terrifying.
One thing to note, however, is that you should make a reservation if at all possible. We didn't and we got lucky because there were some cancellations, but we got there really early to be on the waiting list. -
Review from Levi L.
Arvada, CO
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like driving a little more than riding the train - it's a little stuffy and cramped. The conductor made it fun though - funny kid.
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Review from Amanda T.
7/6/2010
3.5 stars. It is definitely cheesy and touristy... I feel sorry for those tour guides that have to repeat that script several times daily. I also would have enjoyed spending more time up at the summit. However, if you have children or don't want to drive up/hike up yourself, this is a great way to go.
A word of caution: those wood seats are hard as all get out!!! If you have one, bring an inflatable bath pillow or something similar. Seriously. After 3+ hours on that thing, my tushie was really sore. -
Review from David L.
Irvine, CA
10/15/2011
I did this today with my wife and two children (4 and 18 months). While the kids were excited about riding the train, driving there was stressful due to fear of missing the train. We reserved the 1:20 train but were told to be there at 12:50. So when we didn't get there till 12:55, I was afraid they would give our space away. Fortunately they did not and we got on the train in time. The train is quite old looking and a bit uncomfortable. If you don't have a large party, you end up sitting facing a stranger for the entire ride. The ride up was nice and the conductor had plenty of interesting story that you wouldn't get driving up. However the biggest problem is that the time you get to spent at the summit is way too short. Our ride was delayed a bit going up, so when we got up there, we had about 25 minutes to explore. After waiting in line for restroom, it was down to about 20 minutes. We got the famous donuts as well, which took another 5 minutes. The donuts were okay, probably recommend skipping it as they are not that special . At the end we only had about 5 minutes to walk around and enjoy the scenery, because with 10 minutes left, the conductor sounds the whistle telling you it is time to get back to the train. Overall it was a good experience especially for people like us who had little kids and cannot really do anything active. If we ever come back when they are older, I would plan to drive up instead.
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Review from Jill L.
5/4/2011
Beautiful and enjoyable. A little long but the scenery was worth it. Didn't get to make it to the top due to winds, unfortunately, but it was cool nonetheless and I appreciated that they charged less since it didn't go all the way to the top.
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Review from Ruth B.
San Carlos, CA
8/17/2008
Great ride up, beautiful scenery and fairly interesting narration. Make sure you make reservations, or get there pretty early to get on the standby list for the train you want to get on. Bring lots of water, and a snack for you and the kids. As others have said, make sure you bring sweaters, and even long pants for kids. It was about 80 degrees when we left Manitou Springs, and it was snowing up on Pikes Peak--which was really kind of awesome, but very cold.
I felt very dizzy at the top, and I saw several people looking kind of ill from the high altitude, so don't move too fast. I was happy we only spent about 20-30 minutes there. We got lots of pictures, picked up some doughnuts (really good but greasy), and some nice souvenir pins. The view is simply stunning.
Then back on the train for the trip down. Just a warning, if you or your kids have trouble with motion sickness, take some dramamine, or suffer the consequences. Our 7 year old was about a hairs breath from getting sick (I'm sure the greasy doughnut didn't help), and by the end of the trip my husband was holding one of those little air sickness bags they have on airplanes, poised and ready to spring into action if needed. The fact that they have a supply of these bags on the train is a good indication that he wasn't the first. Something to do with the brakes being on the whole way, it was much bumpier on the way down.
Still totally worth it. We'll just be prepared with some dramamine before getting on the train for the return trip next time.Listed in: A Week in Colorado
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Review from Joyce Y.
5/24/2010
4.5 stars
Loved this! I think this, along with Garden of the Gods, was my favorite activity while I was in Colorado.
You know when you watch those movies when people die and they see a bright white light at the end of the tunnel? Well, it kinda describes what it was like to reach Windy Point. It was so bright and white and it felt like we were climbing up all the way to Heaven! It was beautiful, though, with the white covered mountain. It was freezing cold, too!
You can't go outside of the railway at the top. You can only stay inside and take pictures. It's too cold anyway! Windy Point is 12,000+ feet. Pike's Peak is 14,000 feet elevation.
I was bummed that we weren't able to go to the top of Pike's Peak because of the winds. But we got a "discount" for not being able to reach the top.
Make sure you make reservations. You can't buy tickets in advance but you can make reservations to keep your spot. It's about $33 per person.
The tour guide kinda explains some information throughout the ride. You get to discover why the Rocky Mountains are called the Rocky Mountains!Listed in: Cool Colorado
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Review from Sunny P.
Denton, TX
9/14/2009
This was the only highlight n what was otherwise a dismal family trip.
The scenery was amazing and this was a relaxing trip to the top of Pike's Peak. The tour guide was really funny and seemed like she was having a good time. I agree with the other reviewer, the ride down can be a little boring. The donuts were pretty good, but for some reason (even in August) the hot coco was amazing.
There is even a stop on the way down where you can hike down part of the way, if you aren't into just sitting around. -
Review from zehr s.
Irving, TX
8/14/2007
Went there on a Sunday afternoon, man, the ticket office was packed with people, we were told that the next train was completely sold out; some people actually did make reservations before they went there
anyway so we ended up going to Broadmoor hotel to kill our time; had some stroll along the lake, somehow it felt a little bit like "Schwaltzwald" this time of the year; also took a couple of min. and went to the business center and printed out a coupon at the website of Cog Railway :-) guess i am pretty cheap
after some drinks and icecream, we headed back to Cog Railway, it was a good experience overall....the view was gorgeous, the girl/tour guide on the train was trying to throw a couple of jokes from time to time....she also talked about some interesting stuff (wait until you get on aboard to hear them youself)
bought some shirts at the shop on the top of the hill, we had to, it was so freakingly cold up there...on one T-shirt, it had a marked down price of $14,95, however the cashier (young man) said he could not honor the price and something was wrong with the register, he would need mgr's approval.....blah...blah...and it was 5 min. from the train's departure downhill, i was almost ready to pay the regular price, however one of my friends was kind of pissed off by his attitude. Since the guy kept saying that asking for mgr's involvement will take a long time and I would risk missing my train.......My friend insisted on getting the mgr...Within 1 and 1/2 min's, the mgr. entered the sale price and we were on the train again....
The downhill trip was pretty much spent on chatting with our neighbours, overall a fun trip
oh wait, how can I forget about the view??
The view was simply breathtaking and I started to understand why Katharine Bates would be daunted/obliged to write "America the Beautiful" right there....... -
Review from Erika G.
6/29/2007 2 photos
Pricey - $30 per person
Almost a 2 hour ride up and ypu spend about 20 minutes up above 14,000+ ft and a slow ride down. I got sick on the way down. Sat by hte window which I think made it worse because I can see things going by me.
All the seats are assigned on your ticket. Some are forward and some sit backward. You have the same seat going back down so you can try to switch with someone to see a different view.
You can bring food on the COG and drink plenty of water too!
I can't imagine driving up - all tourist in rental cars looking and stopping. Plus I can't handle my husband driving in normal traffic let alone on a mountain with windy roads. So the COG is pretty handy for that. -
Review from Chi N.
10/11/2010
much easier taking this and enjoying the scenery going up than to try to drive and not die going up and all the way back down on a regular car...
prepare yourself to listen to an hour or so of cheesy jokes but also not so bad useless facts!
only bad thing is they barely give u enough time to really even enjoy the scene at the top AND go through the gift shop... kinda works against them if they wanna make money off us on more useless gifts! -
Review from Suzanne C.
Weatherford, TX
3/31/2011
If you have a block of time, you will want to do this ride while in CO. There was 6 of us so it was a bit pricey but we so enjoyed the casual ride up the mountain. When at the top, you get to get out and climb a bit and even shop if you care too in the tourist souvenir shop. I would have liked more time at the top but we were told you had to ride YOUR train up and down so we decided we better get going when ours was leaving. We did see a lot of wild life on the way up and down and it truly was a great memory maker. I highly suggest it!
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Review from Gary T.
Inglewood, CA
9/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great tour but only gives you a half hour at the top which is just enough time to hit the restroom, grab a donut, and get your picture at the sign on top of pike's peak.
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Review from Kay I.
Glendora, CA
1/25/2009
If I had my way, I would have gotten an all-wheel drive rally car and raced up the mountain! But I was with a group of people and they already had the tickets to ride this awesome piece of machinery. This was my first ride on a cog train and it was pretty amazing.
Yes, it's slow but you'd want it slow. The scenery is simply breathtaking. Buy a hot drink at the station and drink it while you take everything in. Bring a thick windbreaking jacket with you. Even though it's 80 degrees at the station, it can be 40 degrees with windchill at the summit.
I had an epic moment at the peak--THE DONUTS!!! These were the best donuts I've ever had in my life. This includes Mr. Donuts in Japan. I should have bought several dozen of them and took them back home. -
Review from Brenda W.
Richmond, CA
6/18/2010
So this is cheesy and touristy but it is a great way to get to the top of Pike's Peak. The ride is about 3 hours but it goes by much faster because of the scenery along the way. A tour guide gives you the details of what you're seeing (aspen, marmots, gorgeous views, etc.) as you descend to the top and no so much commentary on your return trip. They drop you off at the top for about forty minutes, so you can scramble amongst the rocks for a picture or try out a donut at the gift shop. From the top you can see Kansas, the Continental Divide, the Sangre de Christo mountains all the way to New Mexico, and more. I went in early June during a heatwave and there was still snow on the ground. The temperature on top of the summit was cooler than down in Manitou Springs, I think around 45 degrees compared to almost 90. Call ahead for reservations because apparently this fills up fast. I had a front window seat in the first row which was pretty awesome, except I shared it with an exceptionally large man.
P.S. You can also hike to the top of Pike's Peak (yikes) or drive. Apparently the road has a lot of harepin turns and is not fully paved. -
Review from Gourmet G.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2005 1 photo
For those who prefer not to drive the sometimes steep, always winding roads to the top of Pike's Peak, this is the route to go. Four custom-built Swiss twin-unit rail cars, each seating two hundred sixteen passengers, are used for the nine-mile journey, with grades up to 25%. It's exciting from the start, but photo ops really start to present themselves when the track leaves the forest, creeping above timberline at about 11,500 feet. It takes seventy-five minutes to reach the 14,110-foot top; the round-trip requires three hours and ten minutes, including a forty-minute stopover at the summit. Keep an eye open for bighorn sheep and yellow-bellied marmots enroute. On a clear day, you can take in Denver, New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo range, the Cripple Creek mining district on the mountain's western flank, wave after wave of Rocky Mountain sub-ranges, and the seemingly endless sea of the Great Plains. In 1893, the unsurpassed panoramic view inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the poem that became the lyrics for our unofficial national anthem, 'America the Beautiful.' The Summit House restaurant offers sandwiches, snacks, beverages, and box lunches, and a gift shop with the inevitable refrigerator magnets that read I Made It to the Top. A word of advice - no matter how sunny and hot it is at the base, bring a jacket or sweater, because it can be cold and windy at the summit and, in the summer, sudden, brief rain squalls are not uncommon. Not recommended for those with cardiac or respiratory problems, and even those in good health may feel light-headed up above.
Listed in: Rocky Mountain High
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Review from Lauren J.
Crownsville, MD
12/6/2010
The bad: There were 80 mph winds at the top the day I went, so they didn't take the train the entire way up to the peak. Because of this they discounted our tickets, but just barely. Don't bother if this happens to you, the discount isn't nearly enough to make up for what you're missing.
With that said, the entire purpose of Pike's Peak is the views. Unfortunately, the view out the windows of the train is quite one-sided, and you can't see anything from the other side of the train, unless you stand in the aisle, which you aren't allowed to do. And your seats are assigned. If you can, get the side with three seats, not two (the left side of the mountain as you go up). On the way down, they ask you to consider swapping with the people across so they can "see what you saw on the way up" but you'll only get to swap if your neighbors are kind enough. Obviously, mine weren't, despite the fact that they had done this before and this was my first time!
There is barely enough time to see anything. Taking pictures is a chore (unless you have a nice SLR!). The train is unbearably hot. If you're not going to the top, you only get to get out for a ten minute bathroom break.
I've heard amazing things about the donuts, unfortunately, I didn't get to taste them since we didn't go to the top.
The good: The few bits and pieces of the view I got to see between others' heads and jumping up and down in my seat frantically were beautiful. If you're lucky, you'll get to see animals; we saw mountain goats!
The neutral: It's a long trip. I'm sure it doesn't seem nearly as long if you get to see things. The tour guide is funny enough and interesting enough. They try to sell you things. Obviously, this is the only easy way up the mountain.
All in all, I was highly disappointed in my experience and spent the entire way down the mountain in tears because I was unbearably hot & this was my first time in Colorado and the experience had been built up for me so much, but I didn't get to see a thing!
However, I'd do it again if I get the chance and they go all the way to the top, because I get the impression that I was just plain screwed that day. -
Review from S S.
Colorado Springs, CO
12/15/2009
A must do when visiting the Springs. The train ride to the top of pikes peak is a great alternative to driving or hiking up to the top. Hiking is for avid climbers only..as the trip could take you most of the day..and forget trying to walk back down..you'll want a ride. Driving is fun for the adventurous type (make sure you get insurance on your rental) as there are numerous switch backs without guard rails..so hope for good weather. The cog railway is fun..and you get the most scenic views..the guides are usually funny and the doughnuts at the top are spectacular. It can be a bit much for young children and old folks...as you are already a mile above sea level (co springs is actually higher in elevation then Denver) and you are going to the top of a mountian.
The train ride can be a lil boring (we've done it so many times with out of town guests) but the views are well worth it. Take a jacket with you for the top (even in the summer) no joke. -
Review from Kaitlin L.
Philadelphia, PA
6/19/2010
This is crazy touristy. But guess what, I'm a tourist in this area. And I love awful jokes (which they tell a lot of) so my time spent on the railway made my day. The staff does a good job of keeping you occupied on the way up with stories, fun facts, and pointing out photo opportunities. Warning: the temperature dropped a ridiculous amount though, so bring layers upon layers. In mid-June, it was snowing on the top which was quite amusing. But the snow made any visibility non-existent... still worth it though!
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Review from Sidney S.
6/2/2010
Yes it is touristy...yes when the wind chill is zero degrees it is flipping cold on the summit...yes the ride is much longer than your stay at the top...however, what a view on a clear day and how gorgeous the scenery is on the way up. We had a good time and Manitou Springs certainly offsets the boring strip mall sterility of Colorado Springs.
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Review from J.K. P.
Portland, OR
10/29/2008
Along with RMNP, this is a must do. Unless, you want to drive it or hike it. I would highly recommend the train. You get the most amazing views. On a clear day you can see neighboring states on the way to the top. Seats are comfortable, they face each other. There are big windows, so it's great for photographing nature. The conductor is funny and knowledgeable. The top is so beautiful, on a clear day. It is very cold so dress accordingly, it is also windy. We ran into a guy that was wearing shorts, a s/s polo, and flip flops. My friend asked him if he was cold, he replied "I'm from here" what a nut!!! On the way back down, you'll want to talk to the people across from, whether they're friends or strangers. The most important thing though is...MAKE RESERVATIONS!!! This is a must. It gets very crowded, and most of the time trains are full.
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Review from Cass B.
Parker, CO
3/23/2009
I've taken family a couple of times on the trip to the top. The scenery can be awesome, and it can be not so much depending on the time of the year you go up. Regardless, no matter what the season the top is always great. My favorite time to visit is during the fall, before the first freeze. Tickets can be pretty pricey, but it's certainly a worthwhile trip; especially if you have visitors that can't handle a lot of walking. They have discounted days so be sure to check their website for dates!
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Review from Shannon S.
Denver, CO
9/29/2011
This is a fun and relaxing way to see Pikes Peak without having to worry about navigating the drive to the summit yourself. All of the staff at the Cog Railway are friendly and helpful. The ride to the summit is stunning. If you are able to book a trip during late September or early October you will be treated to the beautiful fall colors. Our conductor was very friendly and informative, providing information about the natural aspects of the area as well as local history. Because of the interaction with the conductor and enjoying the scenery, the 3+ hour trip to the summit and back goes by very fast. As another reviewer mentioned, bring your own snacks to enjoy while on the trip. The Cog Railway depot area does have a snack bar to purchase box lunches to eat on the trip but they are overpriced and if you are like me, you will be too busy taking pictures to eat all of it anyway. Once you get to the summit they allow 30-40 minutes for sightseeing and purchasing souvenirs in the gift shop. Some people have complained that the 30-40 minutes allowed is not enough time, but altitude sickness sets in after this time and they want to get everyone back down the mountain safely. The Cog Railway trip is a great way to see one of Colorado's most famous attractions.
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Review from Deb F.
Palestine, TX
7/8/2010
Have been on this trip three times in the last four years. Parking is tight but they do a good job of managing traffic. Unfortunately they have outgrown their facilities i.e. not enough bathrooms at the Manitou Springs station nor at the Summit House. The day we went on the 9:20 train it was hot on the train and fumes were bothersome until we got underway. It is cold at the top of course and you will want a jacket. Barely enough time at the top to use the restroom and wait your turn for a picture by the Pike's Peak sign. The scenery is great and I still enjoy the corny jokes on the way up. You aren't supposed to take food on the train unless it is one of their box lunches.
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Review from Paige H.
11/26/2008
A must see, this was the best way to experience Pike's Peak. The only downside is that we were packed pretty tightly in the car. It's very cold at the top, so make sure you really dress warmly, and bring some food, everything is really expensive with long lines when you get to the top. The tour guide was really great, and I enjoyed learning all he told us. I really liked that he told us how far away the landmarks were and explained to us what the scenery is like in different times of the year. I definitely want to go again in a different month to see it all over again with a new perspective. One word of advice, don't drive up. I got so sleepy from the altitude change, as did lots of others, that I'm not sure it's safe to drive down. Also, don't hesitate to get up to try to see the things pointed out on the other side of the car. I felt like I missed a lot from my seat.
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Review from Justin H.
Chicago, IL
8/22/2009
Went up during my visit to Manitou Springs. Train ride both ways was nice. very friendly and helpful. out tour guide was a bit ditsy tho. Oh well! Got what I paid for!
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Review from Tolga E.
Hayes Valley, San Francisco, CA
2/6/2007
You take a cog rail train from Colorado Springs to Pikes Peak. You stop at the top of Pikes Peak and look out over the Great Plains on one side and the Continential Divide on the other. Plus, they have awesome donuts at the gift shop at the top! Seriously, it can't be beat and you must do it if you are in Colorado Springs.
