Rainbow Trail
Sangre de Cristo Range, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
- Distance
- 161 km
- Elev. gain
- 2,495 m
- Start
- Near Custer County
- Finish
- Near Saguache County
This trail is in 3 separate sections and the breaks between them are real — there is no trail across those gaps. The distance above is the published figure for the whole trail.
About this distance
Far shows the U.S. Forest Service's own recorded length for Rainbow Trail #0336: 100.1 miles (161 km), from its National Forest System Trails data. The Forest Service's own mapping has this trail in three separate pieces, and all three are drawn here as separate lines totalling 156.9 km — about 97% of the published figure. The gaps between them are real; there is no trail across them. Note for anyone cross-checking: an earlier note on this trail cited "#1336", which is a different set of trails entirely. The correct record is #0336. Water, campsite and summit markers were cleared when the map line was replaced on 2026-08-13, and return when the marker backfill next runs.
Common questions
- How long is the Rainbow Trail?
- The Rainbow Trail is 161 km (100 miles). The trail comes in 3 separate sections with real gaps between them; this is the published figure for the whole trail.
- How much elevation gain does the Rainbow Trail have?
- The Rainbow Trail has about 2,495 m (8,186 ft) of total climbing, measured along Far's route for the trail.
- Where does the Rainbow Trail start and finish?
- The Rainbow Trail runs between Near Custer County and Near Saguache County.
- Why do other sources list a different distance for the Rainbow Trail?
- Far shows the U.S. Forest Service's own recorded length for Rainbow Trail #0336: 100.1 miles (161 km), from its National Forest System Trails data. The Forest Service's own mapping has this trail in three separate pieces, and all three are drawn here as separate lines totalling 156.9 km — about 97% of the published figure. The gaps between them are real; there is no trail across them. Note for anyone cross-checking: an earlier note on this trail cited "#1336", which is a different set of trails entirely. The correct record is #0336. Water, campsite and summit markers were cleared when the map line was replaced on 2026-08-13, and return when the marker backfill next runs.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap115.3 km · 4,665 m gain
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Reviewed by a Far curator on August 11, 2026. Trail conditions, permits, and hazards change — verify before you go.