Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak (14,110ft/4,301m), 3mi/5km northwest of Manitou Springs, can also be climbed on a difficult toll road (car rally annually at beginning of July). From the summit there are breathtaking views, extending on clear days as far as Denver and into New Mexico, which attract large numbers of visitors throughout the year. Katherine Lee Bates was inspired by Pikes Peak to write the words of the song "America the Beautiful". The whole of the mountain is now protected as Pike National Forest.