Guided Day Hikes
Looking for Guided Day Hikes on Colorado Springs Hiking Trails?*
We can best serve you by spending time listening to your dreams and plans and then offer personalized suggestions and ideas for fantastic hikes in Colorado.
We can also tailor an customized itinerary just for you, complete with tips and favorite local spots to visit after the hike.
Get started by booking a consultation call with us today!
*As of May 1, 2023, we have suspended our guided day hiking services for now. In a nutshell, while we were successfully awarded a six month winter permit to lead guided hikes around Colorado Springs and told we’d likely be awarded one for summer, it’s a very tedious, costly process. In the end, we learned we were very limited to a small number of underwhelming trails that we were allowed to guide folks on.
Curated Personalized Colorado Hiking Itineraries
Can’t join us on a select hiking day? Will you be in Colorado Springs for several days with friends or family or on business?
Would you like us to create a personalized hiking itinerary for you and your friends to hit the trails on your own?
We’d love to connect and see if we are a good fit for your group!
We will set up a Zoom consultation with you (for a fee) and spend up to 60 minutes speaking with you about your group’s desires and answer any questions you may have. As an added service, we can write up an itinerary for you and your hiking crew.
As of May 1, 2023, we have suspended leading guided hikes for now.
You are in the right spot.
We’d love to take you out hiking near Colorado Springs - in our own backyard!
Tell me more about…
Hiking Tours for Women Only - for a group of friends visiting Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Hiking Tours
OUr experience leading hikes
We are Melody and Tanya, two friends who love hiking around our city of Colorado Springs every chance we get.
Combined, we have over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experiences. For example, big hiking highlights for us in the last 18 months include:
Hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim together.
Melody backpacked the Four Pass Loop with her college daughter in the Maroon Bells area.
Tanya hiked from Crested Butte to Aspen and back with friends.
This fall, we guided a group of 10 friends on four very different day hikes near Steamboat Springs.
Day Hikes with Two Guides
We have also trekked many, many trails all around Colorado Springs and we would love to take you out and show you the way!
Let us guide you so you can fully drink in the scenery, pine forest scents, sounds of nature, and Colorado wildlife.
Here is what we provide should you choose to book a day hike with us:
Permitted guiding within the Pike - San Isabel National Forest
Leave No Trace debriefing
We are both Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified and carry first aid kits
We are both CPR certified
Safety and peace of mind as we hike with a Garmin inReach Mini 2 (satellite communication should the need arise), bear spray, and whistles
As Colorado Hikes and Hops LLC, we are fully insured to provide guided hikes in Pike - San Isabel National Forest
Two guides will hike on every trail with you; we will share our knowledge of the history and nature of Colorado Springs and surrounding area
Additional recommendations for what to see and do, as well as where to stay and eat in Colorado Springs
What you are responsible for on the day of hike with us:
Following us in your car to the trailhead from downtown Colorado Springs; we will use CB radios to stay connected you on the short drive
Wearing proper layers for the weather and proper hiking footwear and socks, as well as bringing or renting crampons or snow shoes (winter hikes only)
Wearing your own daypack - here are our favorites should you need to buy one
Bringing your own 2L of water and snacks
Being physically prepared
Aware of Beginner Hiking Tips
A smile and good attitude :)
Signing our waiver before we head to the trail
We require a 2 person minimum and have an 8 person maximum on our guided day hikes. You will hike with two knowledgeable guides.
You will be asked to be sign a waiver before hopping on a Colorado Springs hiking trail with us.
Hiking Trails Near Colorado Springs
What kind of hikes will you go on with us?
We offer easy to moderate day hikes that typically vary from 3 - 6 miles in length either near Rampart Reservoir, Limbaugh Canyon, or Palmer Lake Reservoirs.
You’ll hike through pine forests, aspens, and creeks or reservoirs.
We have pre-arranged these hikes and dates as permitted by the Pike - San Isabel Forest office.
We will meet you outdoors at 8:00 am in Kinship Landing’s side yard next to their large mural (we’ll suggest where to park as Kinship’s parking is for paying hotel guests only) 415 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
PRO TIP: Kinship Landing is a gorgeous boutique hotel built with exploring in mind, located right in downtown Colorado Springs. Kinship Landing is great place for adventurous souls to stay overnight or eat breakfast right before the hike!
Colorado Springs Snowshoeing and Winter Hikes
In winter in Colorado Springs, we can take you hiking on snow and ice with crampons, or we would be happy to take you snow shoeing!
All three of the hikes offered this winter are great for snow shoeing.
This takes a bit of planning ahead so that we can rent you the needed show shoes if needed.
What does it cost to hike with you?
Client Charges
We require a 2 person minimum booking for the day hike to take place.
Hikes averaging 2-3 hours: $75/person
Hikes averaging 3-6 hours: $100/person
Additional daily charges for renting hiking poles, crampons, or snow shoes
Fees cover: Guided hikes with two Wilderness First Aid certified guides who are knowledgeable and familiar with the area. We will provide proper orientation before the hike, Leave No Trace debriefing, WAG bags, written directions to trailhead in case we are separated, use of CB radio communication devices as needed while traveling to the trailhead, water, emergency snacks, use of our Garmin inReach Mini 2 should an SOS circumstance arise, and recommendations to area restaurants and things to do after your hike.
How do I sign up for a guided day hike in Colorado Springs?
Right now, we are just leading day hikes on select days.
You can book your hike with us here.
NOTE: If you have a group of four or more of you who’d like to hike together, we may be able to work something out. Please email us at cheers@coloradohikesandhops.com .
Remember, we require a 2 person minimum signed up for a guided hike to happen. We also hold to an 8 person maximum on our guided day hikes.
We ask that each guest be 16 years old or older.
We aim to add more guided hikes as the Pike San Isabel Forest allows.
Where do we meet you for the hike?
You will meet us in Kinship Landing’s side yard next to their large mural (we will suggest where to park as Kinship’s parking is for hotel guests only) 415 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Curated Personalized Colorado Hiking Itineraries
Can’t join us on a select hiking day? Will you be in Colorado Springs for several days with friends or family or on business?
Would you like us to create a personalized hiking itinerary for you and your friends to hit the trails on your own?
We’d love to connect and see if we are a good fit for your group!
We will set up a Zoom consultation with you (for a fee) and spend up to 60 minutes speaking with you about your group’s desires and answer any questions you may have. As an added service, we can write up an itinerary for you and your hiking crew.
Email us at cheers@coloradohikesandhops.com to get the conversation started and learn more about our services.
You can also hire us to write up individualized hiking itineraries for the following areas in Colorado with excellent trails:
Steamboat Springs
Buena Vista
Breckenridge
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado Springs
Hiking Tours for Women Only
For Friend Groups Visiting Colorado Springs
Are you here in Colorado Springs on business with an extra day built in for fun?
Coming to town to celebrate a special 40th or 50th birthday with your gal pals?
Looking for a hiking tour with women - your friends only?
We love putting together curated hiking itineraries for women looking to stay in Colorado Springs and explore the area and hike for a few days.
Reach out to us via email and tell us what you are looking for: cheers@coloradohikesandhops.com .
Learn more about our services here.
FAQs
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We will meet you in downtown Colorado Springs outside Kinship Landing at 8am and should all go as well as planned, we will return no later than 1pm.
We will send you a detailed email with instructions on exactly where to meet us, with a few details about the hike and the day.
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We experience four seasons in Colorado. While Colorado Springs is known for sunny skies 300 days out of the year, come prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
We like to joke that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 30 minutes.
All jokes aside, we will cancel trips if the weather forecast is unsafe. But if the fact is it’s just raining does not mean it is unsafe to hike — you just need a rain jacket and a good attitude.
Lightning storms or blizzards, on the other hand, would potentially delay or prevent a day hike.
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Besides well fitting hiking boots or shoes and socks, we recommend bringing and wearing layers.
This article covers what to wear hiking in Colorado during the different seasons.
Besides the need to dress weather appropriate, your confirmation e-mail will include any special considerations that should be made regarding clothing.
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Most of our guided hikes require advance reservations.
We require reservations because we limit the size of our group to 10 hikers including your two guides.
If you have a specific time and date you would like to go out with us, please book in advance to assure its availability.
We do accept last minute reservations; however, we cannot guarantee there will be space available for you or your group.
Our guided hike days can be reserved here.
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We accept Apple Pay, credit cards, and Paypal when you book online with us here.
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We require a 72 hour notice of cancellation.
When you cancel more than 72 hours out, we will refund your cost, minus a $15 cancellation fee.
When you cancel less than 72 hours out, but more than 48 hours out, we will refund you half of the guided hiking fee.
When you cancel less than 48 hours out, there will be no refund.
If only one person signs up for a hike, we reserve the right to cancel the hike and you would receive a full refund. We require a 2 person minimum.
In case of severe weather, like lightning or blizzard, we will re-book your day hike or give you credit towards a future hike.
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Welcome to Colorado Hikes and Hops! We are Tanya and Melody, two Colorado moms who love the great outdoors. We are thrilled to share our adventuring on hiking trails, favorite brews and spots, and gear recommendations with you.
Melody grew up in Africa, tackling mountain climbing in East Africa including Mt. Kilimanjaro before she turned 18. Over the past 22 years, she has hiked many of Colorado’s 14ers, completed the Pikes Peak Ascent race up Colorado Spring’s famous mountain, ran a few marathons and explored nearly every national forest in the state. Pre pandemic she traveled the world for Compassion International, bringing together her love of diverse cultures with the mission to release children from poverty. As a certified 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher, you might see her flowing on hiking trails. Her staple is a weekly hike with Tanya that ends in a beer.
Tanya grew up in Missouri where her love for the outdoors grew with family camping and Young Life experiences. In their second year of marriage, she and her husband backpacked across Europe, then promptly moved to Germany for six years. Their family grew as they led groups of teenagers to ski the Alps, hop trains and jump cliffs off the coast of Italy, and build school playgrounds in the Czech Republic, all while pointing them to Jesus. Fast forward to 2016, after a decade back in Kansas City and many Colorado backpacking adventures with YL teens, Tanya’s fam moved to Colorado Springs and met Melody’s fam via their two oldest. Thanks Caroline and Jackson!
We, Tanya and Melody, became fast friends as moms of tweens and teens with a shared passion for hiking in Colorado, topped off with a cold one. We adventure with our husbands and kids every chance we get.
Each week, we pick a new hiking trail and brew to try. We talk about our favorite gear, our parenting challenges, and the joys of living in the most beautiful place on earth. We look forward to sharing with you what we’ve learned.
Grab your hiking gear, go solo or find a hiking buddy, and join us for a hike and a brew.