Tunnel Drive Trail near Cañon City follows an old water pipeline through three blasted-rock tunnels

Just west of Cañon City, off Tunnel Drive Road near Highway 50, a gravel path climbs onto the bed of an old water line and follows it into the rock. This is Tunnel Drive Trail, a 2-mile route out to a dead end, so about 4 miles there and back. The first stretch is paved, then it turns to crushed gravel for the rest.

The trail’s name comes from three tunnels carved straight through the granite cliffs. They were blasted for a late-1800s redwood-stave pipeline that carried irrigation water along the canyon wall. The City stopped using that line in 1974, and the old grade became a walking path. One of the tunnels is long enough that you will want a moment to let your eyes adjust.

As you walk, the trail parallels and looks down on the Arkansas River and the tracks of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, so a passing train is a real possibility. The route also crosses from city land onto State of Colorado and BLM ground managed out of the Royal Gorge Field Office.

This is dry canyon country with sun, little shade, and no water along the way, so carry your own and start early in summer. Hours, dog rules, and any closures can change, so check the City of Cañon City’s Tunnel Drive page before you go.