Tunnel Drive Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tunnel Drive Trail |
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One of the tunnels along the trail
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| Length | 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) |
| Location | Cañon City, Colorado |
| Trailheads | 205 Tunnel Drive, Cañon City, Colorado, 81212 |
| Use | Hiking |
| Highest point | 5,500 feet (1,700 meters) |
| Lowest point | 5,400 feet (1,600 meters) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Sights | Arkansas River Royal Gorge Route Railroad |
| Surface | Concrete for the first 100 yards; the rest is gravel |
| Right of way | The former route of an irrigation canal |
The Tunnel Drive Trail is a fun hiking path in Cañon City, Colorado. It's an "out-and-back" trail, meaning you walk to the end and then turn around to come back the same way. As you hike, you'll see amazing views of the Arkansas River below. You might also spot trains on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad tracks!
This trail is very popular with people who live nearby. It starts right inside Cañon City. Then, it leaves the city limits and continues onto land owned by the State of Colorado and the BLM.
Discover the Tunnel Drive Trail
The Tunnel Drive Trail is about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) long. It's known for being an easy hike, perfect for families. The first part of the trail is concrete, but most of it is a gravel path.
Hikers love this trail because it's mostly flat. It offers beautiful scenery without being too challenging. It's a great spot for a walk, a run, or a bike ride.
A Look Back: The Trail's Past
Long ago, the Tunnel Drive Trail wasn't a hiking path at all. It was actually where a wooden irrigation canal used to be! This canal was built in the late 1800s. It was called the redwood stave irrigation pipeline.
The canal's main job was to carry water. It supplied water to the farms and homes in Cañon City. The city used this important canal until 1974. After that, it was no longer needed for water.
The old canal had to pass through three tunnels. These tunnels were cut right into the hard granite cliff. Today, the hiking trail goes through these same tunnels. One of them is quite long, making for a cool experience!
What You'll See on the Trail
As you walk the Tunnel Drive Trail, there's a lot to see. The trail follows the Arkansas River, giving you great views of the water. You might even see rafters or kayakers enjoying the river.
Keep an eye out for the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This historic train travels along the river. It's exciting to see a train pass by while you're hiking!
Of course, the most unique features are the tunnels themselves. Walking through these cool, dark passages is a highlight. They remind you of the trail's interesting past.
