Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

View on map

Sports & AdventureColorado Springs

DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking

Duration1 dayListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forCompetition, enduranceUnlike a closed-circuit race, competitors

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategorySports & AdventureFestival type

The story

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, nicknamed the Race to the Clouds, sends cars and motorcycles up 12.4 miles and 156 corners of the Pikes Peak Highway to the 14,115-foot summit near Colorado Springs each summer. First run in 1916, it is the second-oldest motorsport race in the United States after the Indianapolis 500.

Few motorsport events anywhere in the world ask a competitor to do what the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb does: drive as fast as possible up a single mountain, alone, through whatever weather that mountain decides to produce that day.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

Unlike a closed-circuit race, competitors run the mountain one at a time against the clock, climbing through multiple weather systems in a single run, from sunshine at the base to sleet, hail, or snow near the summit

The mystery stays covered

Founded in 1916 by Spencer Penrose to promote his new toll road, the race has been run almost every year since, interrupted only by World War I, World War II, and a 1935 cancellation

The city starts moving

International rally and hillclimb champions including Ari Vatanen, Walter Rohrl, Michele Mouton, Nobuhiro Tajima, and Sebastien Loeb have all held records here, and Romain Dumas set the current outright course record of 7:57

The water draws everyone in

The Unser family's motorsport dynasty traces its roots to this hill, starting with a motorcycle-and-sidecar entry in 1926

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The race carries forward Spencer Penrose's original vision of using the mountain to showcase automotive engineering

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and it remains closely tied to the Broadmoor hotel he also built

The sacred route

Living ritual

Its safety record and technical demands have made it a proving ground where manufacturers test electric and hybrid powertrains against a fixed

The local code

Living ritual

unforgiving benchmark: the mountain itself

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, plan transport around the exact Colorado Springs venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered mountain clothing is necessary even in midsummer, since spectators at higher elevations can face temperatures 20-30 degrees colder than at the base, along with wind, rain, or...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, stay near the part of Colorado Springs you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.83 N, 104.82 W Open in Google Maps

Colorado Springs, CO

Nearest airportCOS — City of Colorado Springs Municipal

TransportFor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, plan transport around the exact Colorado Springs venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, stay near the part of Colorado Springs you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Colorado Springs via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Colorado Springs, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare fares Festival gearLayered mountain clothing is necessary even in midsummer, since spectators at higher elevations can face temperatures 20-30 degrees colder than at the base, along with wind, rain, or unexpected snow; sturdy footwear for standing on gravel shoulders is recommended.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Pikes Peak International Hill Climb?

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is listed for Past edition: 21 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Pikes Peak International Hill Climb take place?

The festival is listed in Colorado Springs, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Colorado Springs, CO

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLppihc.org

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The water draws everyone in

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Colorado Springs, CO

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

Continue the route.

Argungu Fishing Festival

Bay to Breakers

Daytona 500

Daytona Bike Week