Cathedral Spires Trail

The Cathedral Spires Trail is a 2.3-mile route in Custer State Park that leads up a small drainage into a cluster of tall granite spires. The park rates it as difficult, and it can feel deceptively easy at the beginning before the rock scrambles begin. The trail climbs between roughly 6,100 and 6,600 feet and starts at the Sylvan Lake trailhead or the Little Devils Tower trailhead, so you can choose your starting point. Along the way you pass wildlife habitat and rock-climbing routes, with views of the spires and the town of Custer below. A side trail leads to Little Devils Tower, and the trail ends at a flat, open area among the spires, a good spot for a picnic. There is no summit, so the reward is the setting rather than a peak. Allow about two hours, bring water and wear shoes with good grip, since the rocky sections can be slippery. The park entrance license applies at the trailheads.

What makes this hike special is the scenery per mile. In a short distance you move from forest into a landscape of granite fins and towers that rise above you, and the climbers on the rock add scale and drama. The trail is not long, but the scrambles and the elevation gain require some effort, and visitors who are not used to uneven ground may find it harder than the distance suggests.

Photographers should bring a wide lens, and the late-afternoon light on the granite is especially good. The picnic spot at the end is a rare chance to sit among the spires, away from the road.

Be realistic about difficulty. The park's strenuous rating is fair, and the rocky sections require careful footing, particularly when wet. Children who are used to hiking can manage, but small ones may need help on the scrambles. Dogs are better left at the hotel, since the rock sections can be hard on paws and leashed dogs complicate scrambling. Stay on the marked trail and watch for climbers above you, and keep your distance from the edge. Afternoon thunderstorms in summer make an early start wise, and lightning on exposed rock is a real risk.

Fit it into a wider day. The trail pairs naturally with Sylvan Lake and Needles Highway, and many visitors do the hike in the morning, have lunch at the lodge and then drive the highway in the afternoon. If you are choosing between this and Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires is shorter and offers a similar landscape with far less commitment, which suits families, casual hikers and visitors with limited time.

In winter, check conditions before you go, since snow and ice can close the road to the lake and make the trail dangerous. Bring water, a rain layer and a snack, and give yourself time to linger at the top.