If you’ve ever spent time in Denver, you know it’s a bike friendly city. With 196 miles of on-street bike lanes and several trails that will take you from the city to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park to the west, or to Cherry Creek State Park to the east, there are plenty of biking opportunities. Denver was rated the #7 “Best Biking Cities in the U.S.” by Lawnstarter.com, due to the great bike trails, number of bike shops in the area, bike meet-up groups and the weather. Avid city bikers can cruise for miles along any of these top biking trails in Denver.
South Platte Trail
The South Platte Trail is a 26+ mile paved trail that follows the South Platte River as it winds through Denver, north to Brighton and south to Chatfield State Park, where it becomes the Mary Carter Greenway Trail. The trail has been in existence long before Denver was known as Denver, and was used by Native Americans and early settlers. The Colorado Historical Society has placed signage along the trail explaining the history of the land, geology, and wildlife in the area.
There are many places to get on or off the path and some people like to enjoy a picnic or other adventures while on their bike ride. Sights on this path include the Downtown Aquarium, Empower Field, Trestle Bike Skills Park, Historic Downtown Littleton, and Hudson Gardens. The trail is joined by the Cherry Creek Trail at Confluence Park, the birthplace of Denver.
Cherry Creek Trail
Cherry Creek Trail is another favorite bike path not only for bikers, but joggers, walkers and scooter riders as well. This trail starts at Confluence Park and follows Cherry Creek through Denver and all the way to Cherry Creek State Park. Part of the trail is sunken below Speer Boulevard and if you work in Denver, you may have seen a biker or two while on your commute.
This path also allows riders to get on or off the path at several different places. Sights on this trail include the Sunken Gardens, Alamo Placita Park, and Four Mile Historic Park.
High Line Canal
The High Line Canal is the longest trail in our roundup at 71 miles long. It is also one of the longest urban trails in America. The High Line Canal is also rich in history having been built in 1883 to provide irrigation for the growing city of Denver. This trail is shaded by cottonwood trees that were planted in a different era and offers riders several different surfaces including paved and hard, packed dirt.
This trail intersects with other trails including the South Platte Trail and the Cherry Creek Trail. Sights seen while biking this path include Chatfield State Park, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Aurora History Museum, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
Bear Creek Bike Trail
The Bear Creek Bike Trail runs west of Denver for 12.5 miles and can be used to bike to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Take the South Platte Trail to River Point at Sheridan and catch the Bear Creek Trail to take you to Morrison as you follow along scenic Bear Creek.
Sights on this path include Visit Morrison, Bear Creek and the Red Rocks Music Hall of Fame. Be sure to get a photo next to the John Denver statue! This is considered a very tough trail, so keep that in mind and leave it to the experienced bike riders if you’re not an intermediate level or above rider.
With so many great options, it’s easy for bikers to live the life they love, even in the city. Spend the day on the trails, or go for a quick ride, the choice is yours.