

Not on Your ScheduleĪnother thing to keep in mind is that the ride on the cog railway takes a little over 3 hours roundtrip, including 30-40 minutes to take in the views at the summit. This option in busy months also books up far in advance, so if you don’t plan ahead, you might not be able to go last minute. So, this may not be the best option for a spontaneous trip up the mountain. And, tickets should be picked up 30 minutes in advance. The cog railway usually requires a reservation ahead of time.
COG RAILWAY PLUS
If you opt for the drive, make sure you have a reliable car, with good brakes.Ĭons of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway More ExpensiveĪt $58+ per adult, plus a $10 parking fee, this option is much more expensive, but likely worth it if this is your only way to see the summit (or if you are not up for the drive up Pikes Peak Highway). The grades up to the top of Pikes Peak at 13%, and some of the curves on the edge of the mountain cliff does not have guardrails. If you opt to drive up Pikes Peak, you need a car that can handle the climb and descent.

Or that person doing an 18-point turn on the edge of a switchback because they freaked out and had to turn around (yes, we’ve seen this)! Need to have a Semi-Decent Car You definitely don’t want to be the jerk driving in the middle of the road causing problems for everyone else.
COG RAILWAY DRIVERS
Inexperienced drivers or those who are not comfortable with these circumstances may want to take the cog railway. Also, riding your brakes could cause them to overheat and possibly fail. There are steep grades of up to 13%, sharp turns and many places with no guardrails. Cons of driving up Pikes Peak Highway Not for Nervous Drivers The cog railway suggests making a reservation in advance, as they can book to capacity, you don’t need to worry about this if you are driving.Īt only $15 per adult ticket to drive up Pike’s Peak ($50 for a carload of up to five) compared to $58+ for a ticket on the cog railway, driving is definitely the more cost-effective option. No ReservationsĪnother perk to driving up Pikes Peak is the ability to take a spontaneous trip up the mountain without planning ahead. There are plenty of pull-offs and places to stop to take a break on the drive. Plus, driving allows you to go at your own pace and stop to snap pictures or take in the views wherever your heart desires – instead of being on the train tour’s set schedule. Or at the very least it will get your heart pounding. The 19-mile highway is lots of fun and you may even feel a little bit of an adrenaline rush driving up the steep curvy mountain roads with death drops on both sides. Pros of Driving Up Pikes Peak Highway Adrenaline Rushĭriving up Pikes Peak Highway is definitely more of an adventure than taking the railway. Is the Pikes Peak cog railway worth it?.What are the Pikes Peak hiking trails near Colorado Springs?.How many cog railways are there in the U.S.?.How far is Manitou Springs from Pikes Peak?.How far is Pikes Peak from Colorado Springs?.How far is it from Breckenridge to Pikes Peak?.Are there RV parks near Pikes Peak Colorado?.Can you drive Pikes Peak in the winter?.


