This Colorado Roadside Hilltop Attraction Is Worth a Stop Just for the Stunning Views

When you’re driving along Interstate 70 (I-70) from the mountains into Denver (or out of Denver into the mountains), there’s a sign that says the “Mother Cabrini Shrine” is off the next exit. I never thought about stopping at this landmark just off the highway until I saw a video about “Colorado’s Best Stair Climbs,” which included this spot. A quick jaunt from the highway, this free attraction and the climb up its 373 steps offer unparalleled views of the mountains and downtown Denver. 

To reach the landmark, either take I-70 to Exit 259 and follow the signs to the Shrine if you’re coming from the West (such as the Vail Valley and the Rocky Mountains), or Exit 256 if you’re coming from the East (from the town of Golden and the Denver Metro area). 

The history of this historic, sacred landmark 

It’s said that Mother Cabrini, also known as Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, and the first American Citizen Saint (the Patron Saint of Immigrants), loved the mountains of Colorado. She specifically loved the foothills west of Denver. In 1902, she discovered a property on the east slope of Lookout Mountain that, at the time, was owned by the town of Golden.

There was no reliable source of water at the time, just a couple of barns—but she negotiated buying the area as a location for the summer camp she was overseeing for the Queen of Heaven Orphanage in Denver. It was a farming operation at the time, with cows and poultry, and was home to up to 20 young women during the summertime, who got to spend time enjoying the fresh air of Colorado’s outdoor space. They’d take care of the animals in between outdoor recreational activities. 

Over time, Mother Cabrini and those who inhabited the land built various structures for year-round living and dug a spring for drinking water. In 1954, a twenty-two-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, carved by an Italian artist, was mounted on an eleven-foot base at the summit of the hill. Then, a pathway of 373 steps leading up to the top of the Mount of the Sacred Heart was constructed, which follows the path Mother Cabrini, the sisters, and the children took to the top of the mountain. 

Today, the shrine still stands as a serene walk up to a beautiful lookout point, just off the interstate. It’s open to the public for free from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. The shrine site includes the Stone House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Queen of Heaven Orphanage Summer Camp, as well as a 22-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a convent of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was the order founded by Cabrini.

It’s a place of peace and tranquility. You don’t have to be Catholic to walk the steps up to the viewpoint and feel the serene atmosphere of these rolling hills. From the platform at the top, you can see downtown Denver and tens of miles out onto the Rocky Mountain peaks. 

Climbing up to the viewpoint is peaceful and can be a great workout

When I visited the shrine to make the climb in May, the hills were lush and vibrant green. Wildflowers were beginning to sprout from the ground. The snowcapped mountains off in the distance posed majestically against a stormy spring sky. 

I was concerned the steps would be challenging for me since I had a knee injury, but I was pleasantly surprised to find they weren’t too steep. The shrine and the stairs were crowded on this day, with many families and groups of friends making the mini pilgrimage up to visit the statue of Jesus and admire the views from the top. 

It felt like a solid workout that did get my blood pumping, but it was calm enough that I could slow down and enjoy the sights during my climb. I appreciated how the steps were numbered occasionally, too, so I knew where I was. Once I reached the top, I could see dozens of miles in every direction, including urban Denver and the mountains. It was well worth the effort. 

This roadside landmark is easily accessible via a quick stop off I-70 in either direction. Whether you’re coming into Denver or leaving the city heading West, it’s a nice place to stop and get a good view of the area. I’d recommend this detour to anyone seeking a place to stretch their legs and feel the tranquility Mother Cabrini once felt among these sacred rolling hills.

If you're looking for other places to hike in Colorado, don't miss these six secret, scenic hikes near Denver that almost nobody knows about. Or, if you'd prefer to drive over trek, there are also a variety of gorgeous drives you can take in Colorado that boast beautiful scenery without ever having to get out of the car.