Devil’s Head Hike and Its Red Stairway to the Sky

The red stairs are waiting near the end of the Devil’s Head hike, a bright, memorable finish after a steady walk uphill through the woods. There are roughly 143 to 150 steps—about five or six stories’ worth—leading toward the fire lookout, and the view grows larger as you climb.

This is a compact Front Range outing with an unusually big payoff. The out-and-back route runs roughly 2.8 to 3 miles round trip, but Devil’s Head stands apart from nearby mountains enough to give the lookout a broad, open 360-degree perspective.

From the top, the sweep can include Denver, the plains, Pikes Peak and several Rocky Mountain fourteeners. It is the sort of panorama that encourages a long pause, even for hikers who generally prefer to keep moving.

The approach is a sustained uphill hike, though it begins in peaceful forest rather than with an immediate steep scramble. The trail is generally well maintained, clearly marked and easy to follow through the trees.

Most people find the overall route easy to moderate, with the qualification that uphill elevation and the final staircase add up. The walk is approachable for a range of hikers, including beginners, older adults and families with older children, but it is not a flat stroll.

Benches along the way give the climb a few natural stopping points. Information signs add some context to the route, and the woods can be lively enough to reward looking around rather than treating the trail purely as a route to the summit.

A resting area appears before the final staircase, making it a sensible place to stop for water or a snack before committing to the last push. The transition is unmistakable: a forest hike turns into a concentrated climb with open air and red-painted steps ahead.

The stair section is the trail’s most visually striking feature, but it can also be the most challenging. People who dislike exposed heights may find the climb intimidating, and very young children may need more consideration here than on the broader woodland route.

Dogs are permitted on the trail and are a common sight on the approach. The lookout area itself has limited space, so bringing a dog up the final tower section may not be ideal.

The top is more than a quick turn-around point. Picnic tables around the summit offer places to settle in with lunch while the Front Range stretches out in several directions.

The isolated position is a major advantage. Instead of looking into a nearby wall of mountains, you can take in a much wider geography: city, plains, high peaks and the long folds of the surrounding landscape.

Wildlife is often part of the walk, though never something to count on. At least once, hikers have also come across large clusters of ladybugs near the top—an odd little seasonal surprise amid the granite, stairs and enormous views.

At a steady pace, Devil’s Head can be completed in under two hours. Plenty of hikers allow two to three hours instead, which leaves room for rests on the way up, time at the lookout and a relaxed descent through the woods.

Sunrise hikes have a following here, when the views can be especially appealing and the day has not yet warmed up. The summit can be noticeably cooler than the lower trail, however, so the early start is not a reason to leave an extra layer behind.

Finn Overlook is another nearby viewpoint that can be paired with a Devil’s Head outing for people who want to make more of the drive.

Getting to the trailhead involves a scenic dirt road that can be bumpy. A vehicle with some ground clearance, such as a car or SUV comfortable on rougher access roads, is a better fit than treating the approach as an ordinary paved-road drive.

Parking is free, but it is not reliably abundant. Spaces near the trailhead can be limited, and overflow parking has sometimes been found farther back along the road, in some cases several miles away.

Restrooms are available at or near the trailhead. Water is not available along the hike, and summit restroom information is inconsistent, so the trailhead is the facility to count on.

Plenty of water and sturdy, appropriate footwear belong on the basic packing list. The route is uphill both in effort and elevation, and the stairs demand more footing and breath than the mileage alone might suggest.

A jacket is useful even when the trailhead seems mild. Conditions can change quickly up high; rain, snow and sunshine can all show up within a single outing.

The return follows the same route downhill, trading the red stairs and open lookout for a quieter walk back through the trees.