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Print Friendly MapThe 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 residents, as it connects to several other trails in the expansive regional trail system and provides a safe and convenient means of getting around by foot or bike.
Beginning in the south, the trail branches off from a portion of the thirty-mile C-470 Bikeway, a key piece in the area trail network. The start of the trail follows the highway through open grassland before making a turn to cross Chatfield Avenue. From here, the trail parallels the roadway (which becomes S Platte Canyon Road) for the remainder of its four-mile route, passing behind suburban homes and the occasional restaurant or business. The corridor is largely open, with only sporadic tree cover, but the trail maintains enough distance from the road to offer some amount of tranquil relaxation. Along the way, the Massey Draw Regional Trail intersects the trail from the west, which users can take to explore the nearby Columbine Hills Park. The trail also takes you by the smaller, but lovely Columbine Manor Park as it continues north, and the scenic expanse of Valley Vista Park is accessible from the end of the trail across W Bowles Avenue. If you're more in the mood for some food and drink after your time on the trail, there is a substantial shopping complex at the trail's northern end as well, which offers a variety of options.
Parking is available at the trail's northern end via a dedicated lot off of S Platte Canyon Road, and around the trail's midpoint inside Columbine Manor Park off of W Ken Caryl Road. Additional on-street parking may be available to access the southern end; be sure to follow any posted signs and warnings.
To reach the northern end of the trail from the direction of Denver, take I-25 south towards Littleton, then take exit 207B and follow signs to proceed south on US-85. Continue on US-85 into Littleton, then turn right onto W Bowles Ave and cross over the river. Take a left onto S Platte Canyon Rd; the parking lot for the trail will be on the right in about a hundred feet.
This is another nice trail in the area. As others have noted, much of the trail has been improved to very rideable. We did have one detour that took us through a neighborhood to avoid a repair area in progress. We picked up the trail from the C-470 bike way trail which has a slight stretch that runs beside the 470 just before you cross under the 470 from Chatfield Park. The C-470 trail has some of the traffic noise on it in that stretch, but don’t get discouraged and continue on to the Columbine Trai if you enter from that direction
This trail used to be terrible with huge cracks in the asphalt. Over the last two years it has been completely repaved. New asphalt in the South Suburban segment and new concrete in Jeffco. The last segment between the C-470 connection is currently being paved in concrete. Ugly detour for another week or two (8/13/2020).
The bumps and cracks in this trail make it an unpleasant (and sometimes painful) ride. At least on a road bike. Also, a couple of the trail/road crossings are somewhat dangerous. Perhaps this is why so many cyclists ride on the road instead of the trail.
Here's a great suburban trail that get's you around town. The Columbine is an important cog in the network of trails in this area.
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