Explore the best rated trails in Boulder, CO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sheep Draw Trail and Fossil Creek Trail . With more than 129 trails covering 905 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.
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.
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.
Do. It go on a hot sunny day, there is little to no shade whatsoever! Not really a lot to look at either. It would be good for a quick bike ride. Otherwise, it’s just eh.
It is now a complete loop. They completed the missing piece along 57th in 2021
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