Zipline Tour: Colo-Rad

Perched above Manitou Springs at the foot of Pikes Peak, this tour sends you across Gregory Gulch on five natural-terrain ziplines, including a run stretching more than 600 feet. You are clipped in on the edge of a rocky canyon, not launched from a tall steel tower. That cliff-to-cliff setup gives the experience a more rugged feel.

I like the small groups of no more than eight and the way the 90-minute length fits neatly into a busy day around Manitou Springs. I also like that the guides focus on calm, clear safety instructions while keeping the mood light. The main consideration is the short hiking between lines, especially at an elevation above 6,700 feet. You need to be steady on your feet and comfortable walking uphill.

Key points at a glance

• Five lines above Gregory Gulch: The ziplines range from 225 to more than 600 feet, giving the course a nice mix of short bursts and longer flights.
• Cliff-to-cliff design: You do not climb tall towers. The course follows the rocky terrain above Manitou Springs.
• 90 minutes door to door: This is a compact activity that leaves room for Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, or an afternoon in town.
• 4×4 ride to the course: Transportation takes you from the meeting station to the starting point high above Manitou Springs.
• Guides who set beginners at ease: Guides including Ronan, Nolan, Aiden, Dillon, Dom, Ben, and Ashley have been praised for humor, clear instructions, and a careful approach.
• Altitude and weight limits matter: You must handle about a half-mile of walking at more than 6,700 feet. The supplied information lists a 40 to 300-pound range, but also says the activity is not suitable for people over 254 pounds, so confirm your eligibility before booking.

Starting at the western edge of Manitou Springs

The meeting point is at 1335 West Manitou Avenue, at the far western end of Manitou Springs. Look for the company sign below the Welcoming Arch. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start, since the group needs time to check in, get fitted with safety gear, and prepare for the ride up.

This location works well if you are already spending time in Manitou Springs, but do not confuse it with a meeting point in central Colorado Springs. The activity begins in town and then moves into the foothills, so allow extra time if you are driving in from elsewhere.

The group limit of eight is a real advantage. You are not being processed through a large attraction with a long line of people waiting at every platform. A small group also gives the guides more time to check each harness and help anyone who is nervous before the first launch.

You will receive a helmet and the required safety equipment. The course is licensed, insured, and inspected. Those details will not make your stomach stop flipping before the first line, but they matter when you are choosing an activity that places you high above a canyon.

A 4×4 ride into the foothills

The tour includes 4×4 transportation from the station to the start of the course. That ride is more than a simple transfer. It takes you away from the road and into the rougher foothills, where the course follows the natural shape of the canyon.

The ziplines are built in a rustic cliff-to-cliff style, with no towers to climb. If you have tried a zipline course made of tall platforms, suspended bridges, and manufactured structures, this will feel different. Your launch and landing points are set along the rocky terrain instead of on freestanding towers.

That design keeps the focus on the canyon and the open air around you. It also means you should not expect a polished amusement-park setup. This is an outdoor course, and the walking surfaces are part of the experience.

Five flights ranging from 225 to 650 feet

The course includes five ziplines, with lengths from about 225 feet to more than 600 feet. The shorter lines help you learn the basic position and braking instructions. The longer lines give you more time to take in the views and enjoy the sensation of crossing the gap.

You will soar as high as 150 feet above Manitou Springs. From that height, the attraction is not only speed. You get broad views over the foothills and the alpine canyon, with Manitou Springs below and Pikes Peak forming the larger mountain setting.

The variety in line length keeps the 90 minutes from feeling repetitive. A 225-foot run is over quickly. A 650-foot line gives you a longer stretch of air and a stronger sense of distance between the cliffs.

The course description calls this one of the strongest adrenaline experiences on the Front Range. That is fair, but do not expect a full-day adventure park. The tour is compact, with five lines and short hikes between them. One person specifically wished the activity lasted longer, so serious zipline fans may find the session a little brief for the price.

For a first zipline experience, though, the shorter format can be helpful. You get the main thrill without committing half a day to a large course. The length also works for families or couples who want to add another Manitou Springs activity afterward.

Short hikes between the lines

The walking is easy to underestimate. You are not simply stepping off one platform and onto the next. The tour includes a couple of short nature hikes, totaling about one-half mile, between the lines.

The distance is modest, but the elevation changes the effort. The course sits above 6,700 feet, and the information asks you to be able to walk and talk at that elevation. If you have just arrived from sea level, take the walking seriously and avoid treating it like a purely seated attraction.

Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes with a solid grip. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Sunglasses are useful for the bright open setting, and layers are smart because mountain weather can shift during the day.

The hikes add a more natural feel to the outing, but they may be the least appealing part for anyone with limited mobility or poor balance. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is not recommended for people with serious medical conditions or heart complaints.

Guides who make the first launch easier

The guides are a major part of the experience. The names attached to recent tours include Ronan, Nolan, Aiden, Dillon, Dom, Ben, and Ashley. Their style is described as funny, casual, and reassuring, while still being clear about what you need to do.

That balance matters. A guide who jokes constantly without explaining the safety steps would be a problem. Here, the strongest pattern is humor paired with direct instruction. First-time zipliners have been particularly positive about being told what to expect and feeling safe before leaving the platform.

You will need to listen carefully to instructions about your body position, braking, and arrival at the other side. The guides handle the technical setup, but you still have an active role. The release waiver asks you to confirm that you can manage the physical demands.

The friendly tone is also useful for mixed groups. A confident teenager, a nervous parent, and a couple on a honeymoon may all arrive with different comfort levels. Good guides keep the group moving without making a hesitant person feel foolish.

How the tour feels for beginners

If you have never zip lined before, this is a sensible introduction. The course is short enough that you can try it without giving up an entire day, and the group size limits the amount of waiting. The first line may feel intimidating, but the progression from shorter to longer runs should help you settle in.

The setting adds drama without requiring a technical climbing background. You do not need to climb towers or manage a long sequence of bridges. You do need to walk on uneven natural ground, follow directions, and be comfortable with height.

The guides have been praised for making first-time participants feel informed and safe. That is especially valuable at a cliff-edge launch, where confidence comes from knowing exactly where to put your hands and feet.

I would not choose this as a quiet sightseeing activity. Even though the views are a major part of the appeal, you are there for the rush. If heights make you uncomfortable, the canyon setting may be more stressful than scenic.

What $145 buys you

At $145 per person, the tour is not a budget activity. The price includes the guide, small-group format, safety gear, helmet, and 4×4 transportation to the course. It also buys you access to a specialized course above Manitou Springs rather than a generic zipline installed on flat ground.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you care about a compact, guided outdoor activity with mountain views, five lines, and a small group, the cost is reasonable for a one-time experience. If you judge value by airtime alone, the price may feel high because the tour lasts only 90 minutes.

The setting helps justify the cost. You are not paying only for five rides. You are paying for the canyon location, the transport into the foothills, the equipment, and guides who manage the safety details. Still, the short duration is worth keeping in mind. An enthusiastic zipline fan may want a longer course with more lines.

The activity has a current rating of 5 out of 5 from 46 ratings, with repeated praise for the guides, safety, and fun factor. That does not remove the practical limits, but it does point to a consistently strong experience for people who meet the physical requirements.

Who should book this experience

This tour suits you if you want a high-energy activity near Manitou Springs and do not want to spend an entire day on it. It is especially well suited to:

• First-time zipliners who want clear instruction and a smaller group
• Couples looking for an active honeymoon or date activity
• Parents and older children who meet the weight and age requirements
• Visitors building a day around Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak
• Anyone who prefers a natural cliff-to-cliff course to a tower-based attraction

The activity is not suitable for children aged five and younger. Pregnant women should not participate, and people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions are advised against it.

You also need to check the weight rule carefully. One part of the supplied information gives a limit of 40 to 300 pounds, while another says the activity is not suitable for people over 254 pounds. If you are between 255 and 300 pounds, contact Adventures Out West before reserving. It is better to settle that question in advance than arrive at the station with a paid booking you cannot use.

There is also a minimum of two people per booking. Solo visitors cannot reserve a single place under the stated rules.

Timing, weather, and what to wear

Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Wear layers, comfortable walking shoes, and closed-toe footwear. Bring sunglasses, and avoid loose assumptions about warm weather because the course sits high in the foothills.

The activity runs weather permitting. Mountain storms and changing conditions can affect operations, so keep some flexibility in your day. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Colorado plans are still moving around.

Do not smoke during the activity. The combination of safety equipment, walking, height, and open terrain calls for your full attention.

A practical day around the zipline

The 90-minute timing makes this easy to pair with other attractions, but you should not schedule another fixed activity immediately afterward. The tour includes check-in, equipment fitting, the 4×4 ride, short hikes, five lines, and the return transfer. Leave a little breathing room around it.

A morning tour can leave the rest of the day for Manitou Springs or another nearby sight. An afternoon tour works well after exploring town, provided you arrive rested and properly dressed for the foothills.

The guides keep the pace moving, but the experience is not rushed in a way that makes it feel like a conveyor belt. The small group allows room for instructions and encouragement. Still, weather or group pace can affect the exact timing, so treat the 90-minute duration as the planned length rather than a promise that you will be back at the station to the minute.

Should you book Colo-Rad?

Book it if you want five scenic zipline runs above Manitou Springs, a small group, and guides who are good at calming first-timers. The 650-foot line, cliff-to-cliff construction, and views over Gregory Gulch give it more character than a basic backyard-style course.

Think twice if you want a long zipline session, dislike short uphill walks, or are uncomfortable with high-altitude outdoor activity. At $145, the experience is best judged as a guided canyon adventure rather than five quick rides.

For most people who meet the health, mobility, age, and weight requirements, I would choose it as a strong half-day addition to a Colorado Springs area visit. Just wear real shoes, arrive early, allow for weather, and confirm the weight rule if you are near the upper limit.

FAQ

Where does the Colo-Rad Zipline Tour meet?

Tours meet at 1335 W Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the far western end of town. Look for the sign below the Welcoming Arch of Manitou Springs.

How long does the zipline tour last?

The planned duration is 90 minutes. This includes the guided course experience and the transportation from the station to the start of the course.

How many ziplines are included?

The course includes five ziplines. They range from 225 feet to more than 600 feet long.

How high above Manitou Springs will I zip?

The course reaches about 150 feet above Manitou Springs and runs over Gregory Gulch.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear layers and comfortable closed-toe walking shoes. Bring sunglasses. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

Is the activity suitable for children and people with medical conditions?

The activity is not suitable for children aged five and younger, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. You must also be able to walk and talk at elevations above 6,700 feet.