Find the top rated trails in Boulder, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Westerly Creek Trail provides a convenient north-south route through the heart of Aurora. It traverses residential and commercial areas and runs through two major community open spaces, Expo Park...
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Big Dry Creek Trail provides a pleasant connector between the High Line Canal Trail and the Mary Carter Greenway, two jewels in the trail network of the greater Denver area. Although the trail is...
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The Pioneer Trail links Bergen Park to Evergreen Lake through Elk Meadow Park. The trail can be accessed from the Bergen Park and Ride, and stretches south for about a mile before ducking under SR 74...
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The Union Pacific Trail runs for just a short distance between E. 100th Avenue and Thornton Parkway in the Denver suburb of Thornton. The trail runs through a shadeless corridor alongside a railroad...
The Centennial Link Trail, parts of which were formerly known as the Little Dry Creek Trail, lives up to its name by providing a useful link between the outskirts of Littleton and Centennial, forming...
A short, but useful suburban trail, the Lilley Gulch Regional Trail helps to connect numerous neighborhoods in the community of Columbine with local parks and schools, and provides a safe and off-road...
The Fossil Creek Trail offers 5 miles of paved pathway (in two disconnected segments) on the south side of Fort Collins, a college town at the foothills of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The...
The Weaver Gulch Regional Trail runs east-west across the northwestern edge of the suburb of Littleton, following the course of a greenbelt converted from a drainage ditch through a series of...
The Swan Mountain Recpath is a scenic, windy route along the eastern edge of Dillon Reservoir in Summit County, Colorado. Running uphill from Keystone's Summit Cove neighborhood to the Sapphire Point...
With only 4 miles of an eventual 65 miles open, the already award-winning Peaks to Plains Trail is attracting new users every day. While US 6 basically parallels Clear Creek, the Peaks to Plains Trail...
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The High Line Canal Trail is a popular stretch of path through Denver's southside suburbs, winding for 71 miles between Aurora and Roxborough State Park. The trail is owned and operated by Denver...
The Cherry Creek Regional Trail is a picturesque 40-mile route that begins in downtown Denver and connects suburban and rural Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, including the communities of Parker,...
The UCAR Multi-Use Path runs just a short distance from the campus of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research on Center Green Drive, linking buildings CG 1 and CG 3, to the other side of...
The Coal Mine Trail is a short sidepath trail that connects the Columbine Trail with the Dutch Creek Regional Trail, running for most of its length alongside Coal Mine Avenue in the suburban community...
Elmer's Two Mile Creek Greenway begins just north of Elmer's Two Mile Park on the north end of Boulder. It's paved and generally flat, traveling through open spaces, parks, neighborhoods and...
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Gaining only 200+ feet in elevation, the Narrow Gauge Trail is in Pine Valley Ranch Park, a beautiful open space near the mountain community of Pine, Colorado. The trail follows the north bank of the...
The Wonderland Creek Greenway stretches just over a mile along its namesake waterway on the north end of Boulder. The trail begins at Norwood Avenue near Centennial Middle School and meanders...
The St. Vrain Greenway begins in Golden Ponds Park and travels east along the creek for more than half its distance. At the park, watch for the bald eagles, wood ducks, great blue herons and Canada...
The Happy Canyon Trail runs for just over 4 miles through the communities of Centennial, Cottonwood and Parker on the southern outskirts of Denver. To the north, the trail begins at in the Cherry...
The Columbine Trail runs across the eastern edge of the suburban community of Columbine, paralleling the busy S Platte Canyon Road. This paved trail serves as an important resource for local...
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway follows Sand Creek in Denver's northeast metro area. The southern end of the trail, through Denver and Aurora, has a soft surface, which can make for a dusty ride when...
The Cherry Creek Spillway Trail offers wide open views with the Denver skyline as a distant backdrop. Along the way, recreational opportunities abound as the path winds through Aurora's Wheel Park and...
Built on the site of the historic "City Ditch" in Littleton, which is over 150 years old (portions of which are still in use today), the Littleton Community Trail provides a short but pleasant urban...
The Power Trail provides a convenient north-south route through Fort Collins in two disconnected segments along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad. The pathway is paved and flat, traveling...
The Union Pacific Trail runs for just a short distance between E. 100th Avenue and Thornton Parkway in the Denver suburb of Thornton. The trail runs through a shadeless corridor alongside a railroad...
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Two unpaved segments of the Great Western Trail are currently open in rural Weld County at the northwestern corner of Colorado's Eastern Plains. Both portions were built on a railbanked Great Western...
Note: Like most of Lyons' parks system, the Corridor Trail has been closed since a devastating flood in September 2013. Work is currently underway to reopen the closed parks and trails. See the city's...
The Lake Estes Trail is a paved pathway that loops around its namesake lake, offering scenic views of the water and surrounding Rocky Mountains. In the fall, watch for elk that roam in the area. On...
The Columbine Trail runs across the eastern edge of the suburban community of Columbine, paralleling the busy S Platte Canyon Road. This paved trail serves as an important resource for local...
The Fowler Trail is an easy hike in scenic Eldorado Canyon State Park that provides a great place to sight wildlife, watch rock climbers, or take in stunning views of the surrounding canyon....
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The Poudre Trail in Fort Collins follows the meandering course of the Poudre River from the Bellevue Watson Fish Hatchery to Colorado State University's Environmental Learning Center on East Drake....
The Silverthorne Recpath runs through Silverthorne, Colorado, connecting residents and visitors with the town's various amenities and the scenic Dillon Dam Recpath at its southern end. Both trails are...
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The Mary Carter Greenway (a.k.a. Arapahoe Greenway) runs for 8 miles along the South Platte River from Chatfield State Park near Columbine north to Englewood. Here it meets up with the Platte River...
The High Line Canal Trail is a popular stretch of path through Denver's southside suburbs, winding for 71 miles between Aurora and Roxborough State Park. The trail is owned and operated by Denver...
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The Powerline Trail provides a convenient east-west route across Aurora. This concrete pathway begins in Horseshoe Park, where trailheads for the Cherry Creek Spillway Trail, Toll Gate Greek Trail and...
The Mason Trail runs northsouth through Fort Collins, paralleling McClellan Drive north of Horsetooth Road (CR 40) and the railroad tracks south of Horsetooth/CR 40. The trail is a nice alternative...
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The Clear Creek Trail runs more than 20 miles from metro Denver, through Wheat Ridge, to Golden along a picturesque creek with views of the North and South Table Mountains. A highlight of the trail is...
A short, but useful suburban trail, the Lilley Gulch Regional Trail helps to connect numerous neighborhoods in the community of Columbine with local parks and schools, and provides a safe and off-road...
The Willow Creek Greenbelt Trail is a six mile, paved and soft-surface trail that runs along a creekbed in the suburban area around Centennial. The trail begins in the north outside the Holly Park...
The Toll Gate Creek Trail begins on the south end of DeLaney Community Farm, a 158-acre scenic property that educates and allows members to sustainably grow agriculture. Here, it connects to the High...
The Power Trail provides a convenient north-south route through Fort Collins in two disconnected segments along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad. The pathway is paved and flat, traveling...
Built on the site of the historic "City Ditch" in Littleton, which is over 150 years old (portions of which are still in use today), the Littleton Community Trail provides a short but pleasant urban...
Located on Aurora’s south end, the Railroad Bed Trail offers a 2-mile diagonal pathway within Cherry Creek State Park, a recreational gem with opportunities for camping, fishing, swimming and...
The Snake River Recpath begins in Dillon and follows the river southeast just over 6 miles to the popular Keystone Resort. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular mountain scenery and views of Dillon...
The Poudre Trail in Fort Collins follows the meandering course of the Poudre River from the Bellevue Watson Fish Hatchery to Colorado State University's Environmental Learning Center on East Drake....
Note: Like most of Lyons' parks system, the Corridor Trail has been closed since a devastating flood in September 2013. Work is currently underway to reopen the closed parks and trails. See the city's...
The Little Dry Creek Trail provides a paved, relatively flat pathway for bikers, walkers and skaters through areas of Westminster and northern Arvada. The tree-lined route follows its namesake, Little...
Denver's Sanderson Gulch Trail follows the small stream for nearly 5 miles through several parks, offering a natural oasis right in the heart of a major city. Much of the paved route has an open feel,...
The Fraser River Trail runs between the town of Fraser and Winter Park, paralleling US 40 for its entire route. The trail offers lovely views of the surrounding mountains and is a great way to connect...
The Lake Estes Trail is a paved pathway that loops around its namesake lake, offering scenic views of the water and surrounding Rocky Mountains. In the fall, watch for elk that roam in the area. On...
The Fowler Trail is an easy hike in scenic Eldorado Canyon State Park that provides a great place to sight wildlife, watch rock climbers, or take in stunning views of the surrounding canyon....
The Cherry Creek Spillway Trail offers wide open views with the Denver skyline as a distant backdrop. Along the way, recreational opportunities abound as the path winds through Aurora's Wheel Park and...
When complete, the US 36 Bikeway will offer a convenient and safe non-motorized route for traveling between Denver and Boulder. Eleven miles of the paved trail—which locals refer to as a “commuter...
The Dillon Dam Recpath offers a scenic route along the western shore of the Dillon Reservoir in the White River National Forest, connecting the towns of Frisco and Dillon. If you begin your journey at...
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway follows Sand Creek in Denver's northeast metro area. The southern end of the trail, through Denver and Aurora, has a soft surface, which can make for a dusty ride when...
The 6th Avenue Trail provides expansive views of the Rocky Mountain foothills as it follows its namesake thoroughfare (also known as US 6) from the Colorado School of Mines in downtown Golden to...
The High Line Canal Trail is a popular stretch of path through Denver's southside suburbs, winding for 71 miles between Aurora and Roxborough State Park. The trail is owned and operated by Denver...
The Firestone Trail mostly parallels Colorado Boulevard between Dacono in the south and north of Firestone, at the northern end of the trail. The trail is paved and provides access to parks,...
The Union Pacific Trail runs for just a short distance between E. 100th Avenue and Thornton Parkway in the Denver suburb of Thornton. The trail runs through a shadeless corridor alongside a railroad...
The UCAR Multi-Use Path runs just a short distance from the campus of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research on Center Green Drive, linking buildings CG 1 and CG 3, to the other side of...
I had the opportunity to take this trail from mid-section to end at Cherry Creek State Park. I enjoyed it so much. The trail takes you through parks and follows streams and creeks. You get a diverse view of Colorado landscape including breathtaking views of the mountains on a clear day.
This is my second review for this trail. The starting point is S. Public road in Lafayette. The trail parallels the river and is quite nice. It goes by the park in Lafayette, then up toward 42. There is a decent climb up to the Aquarius trail head and a spectacular view. From then on, you are heading down hill with some lessor hills along the way. The trail goes by the back of the Dillon road tech center. Then you will go by the Rock Creek country club. There are signs saying to watch out for golf balls. At Superior, you have the opportunity to link with the Coulton trail. The trail does a button hook by the town hall. This is an out and back trail for the most part with nice scenery and wildlife. Note that there will be construction from Nov 19, 2018. The Coal Creek Regional Trail will be closed between McCaslin Boulevard and the US 36 Bikeway on Monday, November 19th. This closure will be ¿in place for approximately 6 months while improvements are made to the Coal Creek corridor. A signed detour will be available to guide bicyclists and pedestrians from the US 36 Bikeway through Downtown Superior to McCaslin Boulevard.
I bike this trail every few weeks or so. Great scenery, people are courteous.
We rode the section from the McCabe Meadows Trail Head to the Cherry Creek Reservoir around 27 miles round trip. Although it's mostly only 8 ft. wide, the trail is in very good shape and has lot's of wooded, prairie and urban sections. It's a mellow ride with very few big inclines! We really appreciated that there were several trail heads with facilities (restrooms, picnic table, etc.). We plan to ride the next section north into Down Town Denver soon, we really enjoyed this trail!
I started on S Public road in Lafayette. The trail is well marked and a mixture of gravel, small sections of concrete. There were underpasses to avoid major roads. The countryside was pretty, starting out very lush by the creek, then turning more arid from Lafayette to Eire. There are sections of the trail that were washed out, so while biking, care is needed to navigate those sections. There is a good deal of wild life in and around the trail. Watch out for several prairie dog holes right in the middle of the trail. Bring water and some snacks. Overall, I would recommend the trail.
Rode this trail Aug 27th 2018, it forms a loop 21+ mile loop around Loveland Co. The eastern part of the trail is excellent as it goes north from US 34 through the seven lakes area and continues along the west shore of Boyd Lake. At the north end of Boyd Lake the trail splits. The Loveland loop heads straight west for 2-3 miles and passes under highway 287. (Optionally, one can turn north and connect to the Ft Collins trails). This part of the trail is in excellent condition, fully paved and 12 feet wide. Once under 287 the trail itself heads west for about 1/2 mile where it ends. At this point one can ride or walk along about 100 yards or so of dirt to 57th street. 57th street is busy and has no bike lane, but now there is only about 300 yards along 57th street to the new long view trail parking lot. (Optionally, one can ride along 57th street from 287 to the long view trail parking lot, a distance of 1/2 mile or more). The long view trail opened on Aug. 18th 2018 and connects the west side Loveland trails with the Ft Collins trails. It follows along Taft ave in Loveland which is Shields in Ft Collins. So, at this point one can choice to go north on the long view trail to Ft Collins or go south along the west side of Loveland to complete the loop around Loveland. To go south one crosses to the southwest corner of 57th street and Taft ave where the trail continues south. This part of the trail is in excellent condition, paved and 12 feet wide. There is a short section along Wilson avenue that is bike lane instead of trail, but the trail picks up again and continues south where it goes under US 34. At the “T” turn left (east) and continue to Namaque Ave. Here the pavement ends but the trail continues straight along the canal on dirt to Wilson. Turn south along Wilson and then under Wilson where the trail heads straight east along the Thompson River and into RxR park, go around the north end of the park and then swing south. The path will turn east again and go under highway 287 and swing north, up the hill and onto Washington Street. The stretch along Washington is only 1/2 mile long to 1st street. Cross 1st street, and continue east to the Chilson Center where is turns straight north, across 4th street and continue north under Madison street and then across Boise and back to US 34. For the remainder of 2018 Wilson is under construction and access to the trail at Wilson is closed. So, at Namaque Ave, turn south on Namaque to 1st street, east on 1st street to Dotsero Dr, north on Dotsero through a neighborhood where there is access to the trail again. Parking is available at the Walmart on highway 34 & Denver Ave, at the Chilson Center, at the RxR park, at Mehaffey Park, and on the street in many other locations along the trail. This will be a great trail once finished, but for now it still has a couple of rough spots.
I was a bit skeptical of this trail at first since it starts out quite twisty and winding with a lot of debris from the trees. It also passes a few parking lots but once that’s behind you it starts to get much nicer. There are only a couple of road crossings - the rest you go underneath the bridges with the stream that parallels much of the trail. I did most of the trail on inline skates and it worked out fine.
We bike a portion of the Lake Link Trail just east of Sheridan Boulevard every weekday morning and afternoon to take our daughter to and from her elementary school. We love it! It makes for such a pleasant commute as the trail runs along a pretty creek with tall grasses and trees set amid a quiet residential neighborhood. Here, the trail is paved and well-used by families with young children.
Fun and very scenic trail. Start in Denver and make your way to Morrison. You get the Roi it if the way and it will be a joyful ride back. Serene with wonderful views and not too crowded. Loved it
Sort of a nice ride through green space and parks. Only went a few miles from the north end (Expo Park) to Utah Park. Started on High Line Canal Trail but poorly marked trail and this seemed like the trail to follow. Okay trail if in the locale but not one to go out the way for.
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