Explore the best rated trails in Black Hawk, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Dillon Reservoir Recpath and Discovery Trail (CO) . With more than 126 trails covering 902 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.
This trail has two personalities, from the east (Frisco) and from the west (Vail). It's delightful from either direction but can be crowded with rental e-bikes in the summer.
If you're travelling from the east many people park at exit 201 on I-70 near W. Main Street in Frisco. There's a free parking lot to the SE of that exit. Biking on the Tenmile Recpath takes you along Tenmile Creek, passed several ponds and small lakes to Copper Mountain village. You croos Hwy. 91, then pedal through Copper Mountain village and continue west out of Copper Mountain village near Copper Road and Beeler Place. The trail then follows West Tenmile Creek to the west, parallel to I70. Now the trail is called the Tenmile Canyon Recreation Trail. You'll climb fairly gently but steadily now to the summit of Vail Pass (10,666 ft.). Note that this approach (from the east) is a more gentle elevation gain than the approach from the west, covered below.
If you wish to ride up Vail Pass from the west you can start in Vail Village, near Gore Creek USFS campground or elsewhere in the Eagle Valley to the west. If you start near the Gore Creek USFS campground there is a new, large parking area about 1/4 mile to the SW of the campground; parking is free. Vail Village is about 8200 ft. elevation so the gain, biking on the trail from the west is about 2400 ft with 4 or 5 pretty steep climbs. If you start from at Gore Creek USFS campground parking area you'll ascend past the campground, through an open gate and will parallel I70. This paved trail is the former Hwy. 6 before they built I70. You'll pedal passed a few small ponds and creeks through pines and firs, eventually descending briefly to Polk Creek; this is an excellent place to stop in the shade next to a rushing creek. You'll continue under I70 and ascend over new sections of trail, still heading up to Vail Pass. You'll come to Black Lakes where there is usually a primitive port-a-potty. After passing Black Lakes you have a little more uphill and then you're at Vail Pass. Some people continue to the east and then climb back up and back to Vail; it's your choice.
Weather: in the late spring and summer, even into early fall it's usually warm and dry. Pack plenty of liquids due to aridity and elevation - there are no stores or sources of water on the trail, except perhaps at Copper Mountain. Most days from last spring to early fall there will be thunder clouds building up in the afternoons but it rarely rains. Bring a rain coat just in case.
In mid-summer there are groups of ebikes that people rent in Frisco or Vail (or nearby) and many of these non-locals have very little idea of the rules of multi-use trails so watch out for them! There are occasionally walkers and dog-walkers on the trail but usually nearer Frisco or nearer Vail only.
You may see deer, elk, bear (not likely in mid-day), eagles, ospreys, marmots and other typical local creatures. While blasting downhill one side of the pass or the other be aware that you can easily reach speeds of 30-50 mph so watch out for the rare animal on the path - it IS possible! Have fun!
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.
Been walking parts of this trail daily for weeks. It’s a nice, clean, safe and quiet area to walk and ride bikes.
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.
The only significant climbs are to the top of the dam, whether clockwise past Massey Draw (links to C-470 Trail) or counterclockwise after crossing Plum Creek. The latter climb is gravel as is a 1.2 mile section on top of the dam. A nice, easy, pretty ride.
This path is littered with homeless people! Their tents, clotheslines, and trash line the river and completely destroy what would be a beautiful view of the river. Worse than the bike paths in downtown Denver!!
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.
To go all the way around the lake is very difficult. The entire south side of the lake is very difficult and includes a stretch on a narrow road. The west, north, and east sides were awesome.
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.
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