Map of regional recreational trails in the Denver Metro area
Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in Denver Metro, Colorado
Denver Metro, Colorado
Click on the key symbol in the main map to zoom into specific trails.
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The Denver Metropolitan area includes the City and County of Denver as well as the surrounding suburbs, including: Thornton, Aurora, Centennial, Dakota Ridge, Ken Caryl, Littleton, Englewood, Lakewood, Arvada, Golden, Westminster and Broomfield.
This area of Colorado is located on the relatively flat prairie with wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains to the west. The elevation in this area is around 5000 feet above sea level with a slight rise in elevation as you go west. Visitors should take it easy for the first few days of your trip to acclimate to the thinner air. The area has a relatively mild climate and the trails often can be used year round. Caution should be taken when using overpasses or underpasses in the winter, as ice may be present.
The Denver Metro area has a vast network of intersecting recreational trails that cover much of the urban area. Many of these trails travel through the natural areas alongside the rivers, creeks and irrigation canals that cross the city. Other trails have been constructed along major roadways or through designated open space. Trails in the urban areas can become congested and precautions should be made to stay safe as in any urban area. Travel with others, carry a cell phone and be aware of your surroundings.
The jewels of the recreational trails in Denver are the South Platte River Trail, the Mary Carter Greenway Trail, the High Line Canal Trail, the C-470 Multi-Use Trail, the Clear Creek Trail, the Sand Creek Regional Greenway, the Centennial Trail and the Cherry Creek Trail. These trail systems cross much of the metropolitan area and connect to numerous other recreational trails.
Regional Recreational Trails in the Denver Metro Area
The chart below lists many of the major recreational trails in the Denver Metro area. Trail names in red will link to a map and article for that particular trail. The SECTOR column refers to what part of the Denver Metro area the trail is located.
Trail names in red are links to a map and description for that specific trail. Click on the "key" symbol in the main map to open up the list of trails and zoom into specific trails.
| TRAIL NAME | SECTOR | LENGTH (MI.) |
SURFACE | COMMUNITIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Trail | S, W | 14.5 | paved | Sheridan, Denver, Lakewood, Morrison |
| Big Dry Creek Trail - Westminster | N | 12 | paved | Arvada, Westminster |
| C-470 Multi-Use Trail | W, SW | 20 | paved | Golden, Lakewood, Morrison, Highlands Ranch |
| Centennial Trail | SE | 13 | paved | Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Englewood, Parker |
| Chatfield Lake Trail | SW | 10.8 | paved/unpaved | Chatfield State Park |
| Cherry Creek Trail | C, SE | 42 | paved | Denver, Centennial, Parker |
| Clear Creek Trail | N, W | 20 | paved | Welby, Twin Lakes, Berkley, Wheat Ridge, Golden |
| Columbine Trail | SW | 4.4 | paved | Littleton |
|
Douglas County East-West Regional Trail |
SW | 16.3 | unpaved | Highlands Ranch, Douglas County |
| Dutch Creek Trail | SW | 3.5 | paved | Littleton |
| Farmers' High Line Canal Trail | N | 13 | paved / unpaved | Westminster, Northglenn, Thornton |
| Foothills Trail - Highlands Ranch | S | 4 | paved | Highlands Ranch |
| Grange Hall Creek Trail | N | 5 | paved | Northglenn, Thornton |
| High Line Canal Trail | E, SE | 60 | paved, unpaved | Aurora, Denver, Littleton, Highlands Ranch |
| Lee Gulch Trail | S | 4.5 | paved | Littleton |
| Lee Lateral Ditch Trail | N | 4.4 | paved | Thornton |
| Little Dry Creek Trail | W | 7.2 | paved | Denver, Westminster |
| Mary Carter Greenway Trail | S | 8 | paved | Englewood, Littleton |
| Niver Creek Trail | N | 4 | paved / unpaved | Thornton |
| Piney Creek Trail | SE | 10 | paved | Aurora |
| Ralston Creek Trail | W | 12.6 | paved | Arvada |
| Sand Creek Regional Greenway | E | 15 | paved/unpaved | Denver, Commerce City, Aurora |
| Signal Ditch Trail | N | 2.4 | paved | Thornton |
| South Platte River Trail | N, C | 30 | paved | Denver |
| Toll Gate Creek Trail | SE | 10 | paved | Aurora |
| U.S. 36 Bikeway | NW | 15 | paved | Boulder, Superior, Broomfield, Westminster |
| Wier Gulch Trail | C | 5 | paved | Denver, Lakewood |
Resources
Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails located in the Denver Metro area of Central Colorado.
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