Find the top rated running trails in Fountain, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Easy, walkable. Bit muddy on the south end after rain or snow but peaceful and unexpected trail. We’re renting in the area for a few months and this trail has been a little haven for a morning run, walking the dogs and enjoying birds and mtn views. Playground on the northwest side is in good shape. Trail is mostly flat and doable with small children, someone with limited mobility or starting an exercise program. Typically see people fishing, many, birds, people walking dogs, kids from nearby school.
Starting in downtown Denver and heading 40 miles southeast to Franktown, the Cherry Creek Trail is a true gift to the bikers, runners, and walkers of the city. For the first five miles from downtown, from the scenic falls where the creek meets the Platte River, we rode nearly on the edge of the rock-strewn creek. The trail runs below street level, hence there are many overhead bridges and on/off ramps from nearby neighborhoods. Riding at 9am, most of the trail in the downtown area was shaded by the high-rise apartment and office buildings on the east side, but the trail is otherwise short on leafy canopies and is likely to be brutally hot mid-day. There was no shade whatsoever further along the trail. The creek’s path became less managed by rocky revetments after about seven miles, instead, alternately diverging and converging among beds of brown grass and scruffy plants.
Except for occasional neighborhoods and the four golf courses we passed, it definitely felt like we were riding in the Wild West!
Prior to hitting the suburbs, we passed numerous homeless people lying under blankets aside the creek or tucked up under the eaves of bridges - more than we’ve come across in other cities. There were also retaining walls along both sides of the trail that featured both true works of art and plain old graffiti. We had to stop at only one intersection where construction forced a slight detour; otherwise, we flew along the concrete path as it climbed almost imperceptibly out of town.
The Cherry Creek trail is more like a network of paths, several of which we took accidentally because there is very little signage on the trail. A yellow painted line along the center of the trail helps at some of the Y’s and intersections, but it’s conspicuously missing at many of them. We really enjoyed this trail and would have loved to have completed the 80-mile roundtrip, but we were limited by both time constraints and lack of ambition.
There is no shortage of great breweries in Denver, including a fantastic one with a crazy variety of beers right off the trail in the Glendale area.
Visited Fountain Creek Regional Park this morning with my husband and our two dogs. One is a Great Pyrenees mix at 60+ lbs and growing and the other is a 25lb rat terrier mix. There are multiple side trails off the main trail and a good portion of it follows the creek. It was great for beginners like us. The trail was relatively clean and flat. It would be nice if they had a garbage can or two along the way but the only one we saw was at the parking lot. We went around 830am and walked for about an hour. It wasn’t crowded but there were enough people around that you didn’t feel all alone in the woods. It was gorgeous. We will definitely be back!
The southern 26 miles (upstream from Cherry Creek Dam) is definitely 5- Star (Arapahoe and Douglas Counties). The southern part has many areas in natural and beautiful settings and the use is moderate. Very pleasant. Parker and South-Suburban does a great job keeping them nice.
The Northern 14 miles (Downstream from dam) is 3-star (Denver City & County). It is urban, lots of local road traffic as well as high use. Watch out for the bikers and the Lance-Wannabees who will not call themselves out as the pass and ride between 15 - 30 mph. They can ride in pelotons dominating the path and get angry if you are in there way. Many though are courteous. Be very careful though if you are out with your kids and leashed dogs. There are also an increasing amount of e-bikes as well that are riding fast even though they are forbidden on the trail. Denver does not patrol their paths and trails
This trail is mainly flat with great views on southern part of trail
Not to hard or strenuous. Good for quick walk/run or with your dog.
We were in the area to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and this trail was a pleasant surprise! We decided to take a short stroll along the Tunnel Drive Trail and were wowed by the three impressive tunnels blasted through the rock. The overlooks of the Arkansas River and the active train tracks below were also spectacular.
Rode the trail in Jul 2021. Part of it was closed due to construction. My biggest issue was that the road connections were not marked and I got lost a few times. Beautiful pavement along a small creek. It was a bit unusual with the large number of campers, and I kind of felt bad invading their space. I noticed a better bike trail along the Garden of the Gods park. I will try that next.
I've ridden on 3 sections of this trail. The first is the part that runs through the south part of Cherry Creek Reservoir. To complete a loop of the park you ride on a road and then the Parker Rd Trail. It's a very nice ride with enjoyable views and just a few climbs. The second connects from the High Line Canal Trail at the end of the Cherry Creek Golf Course. This section is well signed and could be confusing if it weren't. You take an underpass to cross Havana then along Kennedy Golf Course. There is a climb out of the golf course then a short descent and under I-225 then a climb either way to go around the dam road. After going around the dam road there is a soft trail along the water's edge (not sure if this is considered part of the CCT). The 3rd is the section going south out of the park down to Parker. Just out of the park you ride the sidewalk along Jordan Rd until just before Arapahoe Rd. Here there are two paths to the underpass. One is very steep and the second not as much but still a bit of a climb (coming back). Again, the trail is very well marked with spots for breaks and trail maps along the way. I went as far as Cottonwood before heading back for a 25 mile ride.
Beautiful scenery and easy hike! Moderate, 25-TD incline to begin, then very flat.
After only one 25-yard moderate incline, enjoy a relatively flat, crushed-granite trail along the Arkansas River. The Royal Gorge Route train tracks run along the Arkansas River below the trail. Very scenic. Very quiet. Family friendly. Two miles in/Two miles out. Three cool tunnels, also! Might see white-water rafters or the Royal Gorge train which runs 3x/day through the gorge. Highly recommend!
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