Raspberry Mountain Hike Review 2026

Written By Janey Heard

If you're searching for a trail that delivers a peaceful escape, a solid challenge, and some of the best views of Pikes Peak from a different perspective, Raspberry Mountain deserves a spot on your list. This hike continues to be one of my absolute favorites, and this recent trip reminded me exactly why.

Quick Trail Snapshot (At-a-Glance)

  • Trail Name: Raspberry Mountain

  • Location: Divide / Pike National Forest

  • Distance: 5.26 miles (GPS watch) | 4.49 miles (AllTrails)

  • Elevation Gain: 1,237 ft

  • Difficulty: Moderate–Hard

  • Route Type: Out & Back

  • Time to Complete: 3 hrs 26 min

  • Dog-Friendly: Yes

  • Best Season: Late spring through fall are my favorite times to go

Why I Chose This Hike

This wasn’t just any hike, it was a return to a place I already love.

I’ve done Raspberry Mountain before, and it’s always stuck with me for the combination of incredible views, peaceful solitude, and proximity to Divide. It feels tucked away, even though it's not far from town.

This trip came together pretty quickly, planned just a day or two before with a friend. While I’m currently training for the Pikes Peak Ascent, this hike wasn’t originally meant as a training effort, but it ended up being a great one anyway.

More than anything, this hike was about getting back into nature with friends and my dogs, with no pressure or performance goals attached.

Trail Experience

This trail has always felt peaceful to me. It gives you that rare balance of feeling like you have the trail to yourself, while still occasionally seeing others along the way. This was my first bigger hike since my injury at the end of July 2025, and I could definitely tell I wasn’t fully back in hiking shape, but it felt so good to be out there again. There were a few light pinches in my knee on steeper inclines, especially when hiking on my toes, but they faded quickly. Overall, my body handled it better than I expected.

Terrain:

  • Mixed trail with roots, rocks, and smoother sections

  • Becomes a bit rockier and root-heavy near the top

  • A few loose gravel sections, but manageable

  • Two steeper climbs: one midway, one near the summit

At the top, the real reward begins, you’ll need to navigate and climb over boulders to reach the best 360° views. It’s not technical, but it does require awareness and balance. If balance isn’t your strength (same here!), trekking poles can help a lot. And watch for a key navigation moment: At a T intersection, go left to reach the summit. The right connects to the Ring the Peak Trail system.

Getting There Notes

  • If you are coming from Colorado Springs

    • Take highway 24 through Woodland park

    • When you get outside town you will ver left to stay on Highway 24. Do not go left onto highway 67

    • When you get into Divide, there is a “main light” on 24 where there is a strip mall ish type thing on the right, and a tire shop type thing on the left, you will turn left there.

    • Continue on that road past the Mueller state part entrance.

    • A little ways past that, there will be a turn on the left call Teller County 62

      • there are now big signs you really need to keep an eye out for it. It is the first real left turn

    • Follow that until you see the Mennonite Camp and drive through that. The road is still open to the public.

      • please be respectful

    • The trailhead will be on the left. If you have reached a parking lot on the right you have gone to far, that is the Crags

      • this lot is the first real trailhead parking lot past the Mennonite Camp

    • The nearby Crags Trailhead is also in the area

Mental & Emotional Reset

I started this hike mentally and emotionally carrying a lot. I was carrying everything from burnout, stress, and a never-ending mental to-do list. But as soon as we got moving, something shifted. Nature has a way of doing that for me. It quiets the noise. By the time we were deep into the hike, I felt present, grounded, and completely disconnected from stress. This trail reminded me why I need the mountains, not just for fitness, but for mental clarity and healing.

Scenery & Highlights

The entire hike is absolutely beautiful. But once you climb the summit boulders, the payoff is massive. You have views of the backside views of Pikes Peak, sweeping views toward Buena Vista, Leadville, and beyond. You truly have a full 360° panoramic experience.

Unique Features

During this hike there are so many really amazing things that you get to see. Granted I think that anything in nature is super cool, but on the trail you see, a mysterious emergency shelter built somewhere along the trail, beautiful filtered views through shaded forest sections and you see the connection to the Ring the Peak Trail system. That trail system is a system that I have touched various parts of while on different hikes. But I do think that it would be cool to find a way to make a backpacking trip out of it and see how many of the different hikes I can connect.

Best Photo Spots

This whole hike is something that I find really cool and beautiful. But the best photo spots are for sure the top where you get the 360 Panorama views. Also if you are anything like me and find rocks really cool, there are really cool rock formations throughout the hike.

Difficulty Breakdown

Now this hike is not an easy hike. It is rated moderate on all trails for a reason. What makes this hike challenging:

  • Elevation gain right from the start

  • Steep sections (especially half way and near the top)

  • Tricky footing on rocks and roots near the summit

  • High altitude for out-of-town hikers

Best For:

If you are like me and are training for a trail race that has steep incline and massive elevation gain, or just want a good challenging hike/workout, this is a good one. This trail is great for hikers looking for a challenge, trail runners training for incline, and anyone prepping for races like Pikes Peak Ascent.

Tips & Things to Know

Parking

  • Larger than average lot, but can still fill up so I suggest getting there early.

Trail Conditions

  • Dry when we went

When to Go

  • Early morning = cooler temps + fewer people

What I Brought

Now, I am a sucker for a good summit meal or snack while enjoying the views. And I am always a person that likes to be prepared for ANYTHING on the trail. So in this section of this post I want to go over what I brought on this hike.

Snacks:

  • Uncrustables (elite summit snack)

  • Honey Stinger stroop waffles

  • Butter cookies

  • KIND bars (caramel sea salt are my favorite)

  • Fruit + extra snacks that you like

Gear:

  • 2L water

    • I like having enough for me and having extra for sharing with the dogs

  • Rain jacket +

  • warm layer

    • Long sleeve

    • Pants

    • socks

    • gloves

    • hat

  • Emergency bivy

  • First aid kit

  • Compass

  • guide booklets

    • small enough to not add to much weight

  • Water filter

    • don’t need a big one, a hand held squeeze one is enough

  • Dog supplies (bowls, treats, leashes, bags)

  • Traction spikes (just in case)

  • I always pack for worst-case scenarios

Training & Fitness Notes

I know that there are a lot of people that are trail runners, hikers and nature lovers that are training for the Pikes Peak ascent. And I feel like this is a great introduction to incline and elevation gain training. So this hike can be great for, like I mentioned, incline training, as well as trail footwork practice and endurance building. If there are any other trails that you know of or have used to help with these kinds of things or even used in training for the Pikes Peak Ascent, I would love to know. This year is my first year in doing it, so I would love ALL the advice I can get.

Fueling & Hydration

If I had learned anything from this stress reaction injury its that fueling and hydration is sooooo important. Prior to this injury, I was eating to just eat. And on hikes and trail runs, I would say that I had to save eating for after. That I had to “earn” the snacks and meals. And that really kicked my butt. I now realize how unhealthy that mentallity was and that I need to keep in mind that eating during a hike and run/race is vital to success.

What Worked

  • Uncrustables + cookies + fruit at the summit = slam dunk

  • 2L water was perfect for me + dogs

What I’d Change

  • Bring extra water (Nalgene) next time just incase I run out of water in my bladder

  • Consider camping nearby the night before

    • not out of necessity but more out of curiousity

  • Explore more of the Ring the Peak trail

Real Talk

Now, I have done this hike, I know I am capable, but it was no where near easy. I always learn a lot on a hike. What Was hard during this for me was, hiking while recovering from a cold, and my balance on the summit rocks (not my strength). Now if you are getting over being sick, you do NOT have to go on a hike like this. You know your body, and I 100% support listening to your body. And if you need to heal before doing a hike that gains over 1000 feet of gain, please do. Also, if you have poor balance like me, and want something that supports your balance, trekking poles would be a great buy. And I suggest going to Sierra trading post and seeing what they have. Trekking poles can be expensive.

I learned so many things on this hik about myself and where I am at. I Learned that my body is ready to progress again post-injury, nature is essential for healing and grounding as it has always been for me and, hiking with people I love adds a whole different kind of magic

Joy Moment

During this hike there were so many different little moments that brought me so much joy. But the one moment that truly brought me the most joy was sitting on top of the rocks at the top of the hike, sharing Uncrustables with friends, and soaking in the views. It was one of those moments that truly humbles you, and makes you feel confident at the same time. It felt like pure joy.

Final Thoughts

Now time for a wrap up moment and share my final thoughts about this hike. I would definately do this hike again. It is one of my favorites. I always feel at peace, and like I get a workout. I would always recommend this hike to anyone wanting a challenge, trail runners training for elevation, and people craving a peaceful mountain escape. Raspberry mountian gets a 100/10 from me. Raspberry Mountain is one of those hikes that gives you everything, challenge, beauty, stillness, and connection. And honestly? It reminded me that sometimes the best thing you can do… is just step away and go find yourself in the mountains again.

Janey Heard
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