Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Highlands Ranch, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We road from Palmer Lake to the closure at the Air Force Academy . Out and back would be about 16 miles . The trail was very nice and great scenery. Little loose and sandy in spots so be aware of that . They are going to close a section starting tomorrow, July 9, 2026 due to construction so be aware of that and plan accordingly. On our way back we stopped to have lunch in old downtown Monument and that was nice . We rode around the old downtown a little bit before heading back up to Palmer Lake.
We road the trail starting at the Pikes Peak Greenway trail and road the sand Creek trail to Panoramic Park but part of it required riding on the road using the bike lanes. At times the park was ok but overall lots of industrial, trash and homelessness. They need to get volunteers or businesses to signup to maintain the area. One of the bridges you go under had so much trash and smell it was pretty bad.
We started downtown and rode out 25 miles and back. Lots invested in this concrete trail and well maintained.
Good ride on both sections No garbage or homeless on the trailPreferred the 9 mile gravel section
Extreme safety hazard, has been going on for over a year. He cuts limbs off of trees and often has them over his shoulder pacing the path. On the centennial side of the border, nothing being done. Only safe passage across parker road totally haunted by this guy.
Route includes connection to Cherry Creek regional trail.
Great views and big hills is now open from Gartrell south and the west to connect to the Cherry Creek regional trail. Previously the trail was rather boring going north next to E470.
Great ride next to stream with just the right amount of hills to get outta the saddle a bit. Some wildlife sighted: Juvenile Moose, Prairie Dog.
I've ridden my bike along this trail many times in the last year. It's been fun to see so many different neighborhoods in Arvada. We usually start near the Kaiser building on Sheridan and ride west to Five Parks. Out and back it ends up being about 14 miles. Typically, there are not many bikes on the trail just runners and dog walkers. There are a few shady spots along the way but wear sunscreen as you are exposed quite a bit. The only "bad part" of the trail is crossing Wadsworth at 77th Dr and having to ride around Natural Grocers and Target. It can be quite busy there but luckily it's only a 1/2 mile stretch. The trail is in decent condition but could use some TLC in spots. Over all, a good place to get a quick ride in after work.
Our family took a springtime bike ride on the southern section of the South Boulder Creek Trail from the Bobolink Trailhead on Baseline Road south to just beyond the US 36 underpass (roughly 3 miles one way). It was a pleasant outing with gorgeous mountain views and rural countryside. We saw a few birds, a couple horses, and lots of cows (including calves). The trail surface was a mix of pavement and crushed stone; both well maintained. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we saw lots of other bikers, joggers, dogwalkers, and families out enjoying the trail.
I have ridden this trail in its entirety hundreds of times in the last 20 years and appreciate some of the widening that has been done in some of high traffic areas. However, over the last year two bridges have been closed, and most recently another section has been closed east of Federal Blvd. One of the detours utilizes bike/pedestrian and is a minor inconvenience. The other two detours route you on side streets and then narrow sidewalks along busy 4 lane roads. If/when these issues are resolver it will go back to being one of my favorite routs, but until then I am avoiding it.
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