Explore the best rated trails in Black Forest, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the West Harvard Gulch Trail and Big Dry Creek Trail (Littleton) . With more than 78 trails covering 593 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Huge improvements to the far northern end of the trail especially north of Colfax Ave. A bike/pedestrian bridge now carries the trail over I-70 to the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood. The city of Aurora has added numerous trail maps. The only thing preventing a 5-star rating are too many road crossings, some of which can be difficult.
I rode this trail on a rented bike on a beautiful late October Sunday in 2024 while in Denver for a conference. I started near the intersection of Sherman Street and Speer Blvd, riding northwest toward the Platte River trail / Confluence Park before turning around and riding out of the city to the southeast. I was very impressed by the trail etiquette of other users: families with strollers, runners, joggers, and all range of cyclists at various speeds. It was a glorious and sunny 60 degree day a few weeks after the season's first snowfall, and traces of snow were still in the shadows under trees. I followed the trail all the way to the Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park before turning around. This trail is wide, smooth, fast, and best of all, has VERY FEW intersections with vehicular traffic. In my opinion, it's the best urban greenway I've ever ridden on. I look forward to someday returning and doing the entire 47 mile route.
I was happy to see that they finally extended this trail, and added 2 miles from where it meets the Shooks Run trail to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail (at Beacon & Van Buren.), including an underpass at the Nevada crossing. Well done COS!
This could be the best commuter trail with a little work. City of Colorado Springs: PLEASE build an underpass at Academy Blvd. That crossing is presently dangerous for schoolchildren trying to bike. Please plant more low-water shade trees along this path.
This is a pretty trail and easy for beginners. Just be aware that the Bike Path is CLOSED underneath the Arapahoe and Liverpool intersection, so you have to cross at the street level. Other than that it is a very enjoyable ride.
We again parked at Village Greens Park (lots of big shade trees to keep the jeep cool) and this time headed south on the trail. It winds around the Cherry Creek Reservoir and then meanders south. Not much shade in this direction. We rode 10 miles south to Cottonwood Park and then turned around (getting hot) so a nice 20 mile round trip. There was a big prairie dog colony and a long stretch of trail with baby grasshoppers hopping all over the joint. The thing I enjoyed most about this trail is that it is NOT straight like so many-constantly twisting and curving. Made it more interesting. There are some fast food restaurants along the way at one point.
Had a hard time finding a good parking place. Ended up parking near the Regal theater at River Point Shopping area in Sheridan. From here you can directly access the Mary Carter Trail and The Bear Creek Trail. This puts you almost at the North end of the Trail. (We did see a good parking area at the south end of the trail-not sure what that is called) We rode south for about 8 miles to the end. It connects directly to the C-470 trail both East and West at the point. Really fun trail/Some shade/right along the river/people tubing/in inflatables going over the little rapids/huge ducks/nice stopping place with lots of tables in the shade at Nixon's Coffee and someone told us there is a brewery right off the trail.
We parked at Village Greens Park which is near the Cherry Creek Reservoir. from here you could choose North or South on the trail. We rode north on the trail for 11 miles and ended up in the center of Denver at First Street. Then the trail started to run along the busy street so we turned around. It was a great 22 mile round trip ride. Quite a bit of shade/lots to look at/prairie dog colony/birds/snake on the trail/lots of parks/golf courses/nice homes/runs mostly along the creek/lots of fun underpasses by the water.
We parked at America the Beautiful Park along the curb parking. From there we rode North 10 miles and then back. Great trail. Some parts are dirt but is very smooth. No problem at all. You are really along the river the whole way- always nice to see the water. There was quite a lot of shaded areas to my surprise. We went up one side of the river and returned on the other where you see on the map that it goes in both sides. There are a lot of side trails that connect with this trail. I liked it because there were other bikers and walkers. Everyone courteous. I liked it because lots of stuff to look at. Wish we here for more than a day. Would do again and explore some of the side trails.
Due to a detour caused by a portion of the High Line Canal trail being closed for maintenance I rode about 4 miles on the Lee Gulch Trail. It wasn’t crowded on a Tuesday morning. There were a couple of small washouts and loose gravel in few places. The trail winds through several Littleton. neighborhoods.
Although the map shows the Platte River Trail ending at E-470, the trail continues seamlessly another 3.8 miles north to Veterans Park in Brighton.
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