Rediscovering Peace and Movement: A Review of the Mt. Buckhorn Loop
There is something deeply sacred about the trails that first welcome you to a new home. For me, the trails in North Cheyenne Canyon will always hold a special place in my heart. They were some of the very first hikes I tackled when I moved to Colorado Springs, and they remain my go-to sanctuary whenever I need to press pause on the noise of life.
Recently, after a grueling, long hike the day before and a run immediately leading up to it, my body was feeling a little stiff. I didn’t need a soul-crushing elevation profile or a high-intensity workout. I just needed to move, disconnect, and enjoy nature with good friends and great dogs. That’s exactly what led us back to the **Mount Buckhorn Loop via High Drive**.
If you are looking for a quick escape into nature that offers a perfect blend of accessible trail running, elevation practice, and pure, unadulterated peace, this one is for you.
Quick Trail Snapshot
Trail details:
Trail Name: Mount Buckhorn Loop via High Drive
Location: North Cheyenne Canyon (Colorado Springs, CO)
Distance: 3.83 to 3.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 755 to 764 feet
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Route Type: Loop
Time to Complete: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Dog-Friendly: Yes (Leashed)
Best Season: Year-round but late spring through fall are my favorite.
The Trail Experience: What to Expect
The hike kicks off on High Drive (even though you can start in either direction this way is my preferred), which is a wide, closed-off dirt and gravel mountain road. It feels less like a technical trail and more like a steady, predictable climb.
Don't let the ease of the wide road fool you, though. Once you get to the top of High Drive and take the trail on the left, the first 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile on the actual Buckhorn trail is highly exposed and hits you with a fairly stout grade. Because the terrain here consists of loose dirt and gravel, it can feel a bit slick. If your legs are burning and you find yourself taking frequent breaks here, embrace it! Between the incline and the sun, it’s a great spot to practice some slow, intentional breathing.
Navigator’s Tip: Once you hit the "top" of that first major climb on the actual Buckhorn Loop trail, keep your eyes peeled. You will have the option to head up to the true summit of Buckhorn, but if you want to complete the loop, there is a slight left you need to take. It can be incredibly tricky to spot if you aren't actively looking for it!
Once you cross over the other side of the loop, the environment shifts beautifully. You plunge into a heavily shaded, heavily forested section of the canyon. The trail becomes beautifully "rolly"—perfect for catching your rhythm and letting your mind wander.
Scenery & Highlights
The Front Half: Sweeping, expansive overlooks of Colorado Springs from High Drive and the early exposed sections of the trail.
The Back Half: Deep immersion into lush trees and thick canyon vegetation. It feels completely secluded, making it hard to believe you are just minutes from the city.
Training & Fitness Notes
As a runner, this is where North Cheyenne Canyon really shines. The entire canyon is incredibly runnable, and the Mount Buckhorn Loop is no exception.
Incline & Elevation Practice: The exposed, steep start serves as an excellent, low-stakes environment to work on your power-hiking or steady uphill running. If you are prepping for tough local races like the **Pikes Peak Marathon or Ascent**, this is a fantastic, accessible introductory training ground.
Ultimate Customization: One of the best things about this zone is how interconnected the trail system is. If you get out there and realize you want more mileage, you can easily connect to Seven Bridges or Gold Camp Road to lengthen your day. Want to shorten it? Take your breaks and scale back.
Fueling & Hydration
Because this was a shorter, easier recovery effort for me, I didn't end up tapping into my mid-hike snacks. I was still comfortably full from breakfast, but I always listen to my body and kept my pack stocked just in case.
What was in my pack:
Honey Stinger waffles
Butter cookies
Uncrustable PB&J
2L Hydration Bladder
Post-Hike Snack: I enjoyed my Uncrustable right at the finish line. Post-hike carbs are non-negotiable for muscle recovery, especially when backing up consecutive days of movement!
Tips & Things to Know Before You Go
Beat the Crowds: The Gold Camp/North Cheyenne Canyon parking lot is notorious for filling up fast. If you want a spot without the stress, aim to arrive before 8:00 AM.
The Final Turn: When you hit the bottom intersection of the trail and want to head back to the parking lot, **make sure to take a sharp left. Going straight, right, or a slight right will accidentally extend your hike significantly. Follow that sharp left down to continue toward Gold Camp Road.
Pack for the Worst Case: Even on an easy hike, Colorado weather changes in a heartbeat. I always carry an emergency bivy, first aid kit, rain jacket, extra warm layers, a small water filter, and extra gear for the pups (leashes, bowls, and poop bags!).
The "Real Talk"
Let’s be honest the start of this hike was hot. The temperature rose incredibly fast, and that lack of shade on the initial loose gravel incline was a mental test.
But honestly? It taught me exactly what I needed to learn that day. It taught me that **it is entirely okay to go slow**. It is okay to take easy days. Sometimes, the goal isn't a faster pace or a higher peak—sometimes the goal is simply allowing your brain to completely disconnect.
If I could do it differently, I would have started just a tad earlier to beat the heat, and I would have taken the detour to the true summit of Buckhorn to soak in the extra views.
The Joy Moment
My favorite moment of the entire day was a simple one. It was just walking with good friends and the doggos, listening to nothing but the rhythmic *crunch* of dirt under my feet.
Stepping off the trail that weekend, I felt a profoundly renewed sense of self and a deep connection to my core that only nature seems to provide. I felt entirely at peace, and it filled me with a bubbling sense of excitement for the summer ahead and all the hikes and trail runs still to come.
Final Verdict
Who it’s for: Beginner hikers looking to level up, trail runners seeking a runnable loop, or anyone training for elevation races.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. This will always be a staple for my elevation and trail running training blocks.
I would rate this hike a 9/10. An absolute must-do for quick, meaningful movement.
