Best Denver Bike Trails

You’ll love the 71-mile High Line Canal Trail, a smooth, historic route from Waterton Canyon to DIA, perfect on a hybrid bike with 35mm tires thanks to its mix of paved and hard-packed dirt paths, frequent access points, and zero traffic, while the Cherry Creek, Clear Creek, and South Platte River trails offer scenic, flat, or gently climbing paved options, all well-linked and ideal for car-free cruising-each choice reveals something more about Denver’s trail network.

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Notable Insights

• The 71-mile High Line Canal Trail offers a scenic, mostly off-road ride from Waterton Canyon to Denver International Airport.
• Cherry Creek Trail provides a 40-mile car-free, flat paved route ideal for all riders through urban Denver to Franktown.
• Clear Creek Bike Path features an 18-mile westward climb to Golden with mountain views, suited for hybrids or gravel bikes.
• South Platte River Trail spans over 36 miles along the river, connecting parks, greenways, and downtown Denver seamlessly.
• Bike rentals are readily available near major trailheads, including Campus Cycles and Denver Bike Rent for convenient access.

Ride the Historic High Line Canal Trail

Follow the 71-mile ribbon of the High Line Canal Trail from Waterton Canyon to near Denver International Airport, and you’re riding through history-this irrigation channel’s been moving water by gravity since 1883. You’ll cruise under cottonwoods and past rolling prairies, with plenty of shade and scenic views. The trail’s mix of paved pathways and hard-packed dirt suits both mountain bike setups and gravel bikes-testers loved their 2.2-inch wider tires for grip on looser sections. While there aren’t protected bike lanes along most of the route, the path is well-marked and separated from traffic. You can link to Cherry Creek and South Platte River trails, expanding your ride across the Denver metro. Access points are spaced every few miles, many with parking and trail maps. For longer rides, bring a 20oz water bladder and check conditions via the High Line Canal Conservancy site.

Cherry Creek Trail: Scenic Paved Ride to Downtown Denver

While you might be drawn to the Cherry Creek Trail for its scenic downtown views, you’ll stay for the smooth, uninterrupted ride-this 40-mile paved path runs sunken below street level along Speer Boulevard, giving you a safe, car-free corridor from Confluence Park all the way to Franktown. As one of Denver’s most popular bike trails, it links directly to the South Platte River Trail at Confluence Park, creating a key hub in the city’s 850-mile off-street network. Whether commuting or cruising, you’ll appreciate the flat grade, ideal for hybrid bikes with 35mm tires and a lightweight backpack.

Bike the Clear Creek Path to Golden’s Foothills

You’ve already experienced the smooth, sunken stretch of the Cherry Creek Trail, but if you’re ready to stretch your legs with a bit more elevation and a stronger mountain vibe, the Clear Creek Bike Path delivers a steady climb westward with rewarding views. This 18-mile paved trail traces Clear Creek from Denver to Golden, linking directly to the South Platte River Trail for longer rides. You’ll pedal past urban zones, parks, and open spaces, with clear sightlines to the Rocky Mountains and North Table Mountain. Near Golden, the grade increases slightly-opt for a hybrid or gravel bike with a wide gear range. Don’t miss the Coors Brewery stop, a local landmark. As you reach the foothills, cooler air and rocky bluffs signal alpine terrain ahead. The path ends in Golden, a hub for trails, cafes, and mountain biking access-pack light, ride smooth, and bring a spare tube.

South Platte River Trail: City Parks to Chatfield Reservoir

Though it traces an ancient river route once traveled by Indigenous peoples and westward-bound settlers, today’s South Platte River Trail is a fully modern cycling corridor-over 36 paved miles stretching from Brighton to Chatfield State Park, with a well-signed, frequently maintained path that makes it ideal for both commuting and weekend exploration. You’ll ride the Mary Carter Greenway through RiNo and Globeville, enjoying skyline views and smooth paved pathways perfect for hybrid or road bikes. It connects to the Cherry Creek Trail at Confluence Park, expanding your route options citywide. Pass Riverside Cemetery, Denver’s oldest burial ground, then pedal south for great riding all the way to Chatfield State Park. There, 12 miles of additional paved trails, camping, and water access let you extend your adventure. For any Denver Bike outing, bring a repair kit, 700c tires for speed, and a hydration pack-this trail demands little but rewards plenty.

Best Bike Rental Spots Near Denver’s Paved Trails

A reliable bike rental can make or even break your Denver trail experience, especially when you’re aiming to cover miles on the city’s 850-mile paved network. Campus Cycles, near the Cherry Creek Trail, offers quality bike rentals and trail insight for traversing paved pathways. Denver Bike Rent, close to Confluence Park, provides hourly and daily options perfect for the South Platte River Trail and Cherry Creek Trail. Pedal Powered Tours in downtown rents hybrids ideal for long, scenic Cherry Creek Trail rides into Cherry Creek North. Epic Rides Bike Shop in Golden has premium rentals steps from the 18-mile Clear Creek Trail. Boulder Bicycle Works, 30 minutes away, stocks performance bikes suited for Front Range paved trails. These rentals guarantee you’re on a reliable bike, ready for smooth Creek Trail cruises or cross-city paved pathways.

Choose the Right Trail: Scenic, Non-Urban, and Flat Routes

Now that you’ve got a solid bike under you from one of Denver’s top rental spots, it’s time to pick a route that matches your pace and scenery goals. For great riding away from traffic, head to the High Line Canal Trail-71 miles of mostly flat, shaded pathways with hard-packed dirt and paved sections, perfect for a peaceful spin through cottonwood groves and prairie. Cherry Creek State Park offers 12 miles of paved pathways环绕 lakes, with mountain views and birdwatching, making it one of the best bike trails for relaxed, non-urban cruising. The door to Chatfield opens onto the South Platte River Trail’s southern stretch, where smooth pavement and wide-open views deliver great miles near the foothills of the Rocky. While Bear Creek Trail has slight climbs, its flat sections near Sheridan link parks and natural corridors. Stick to these roads and trails for scenic, flat, and rewarding rides.

On a final note

You’ve got great options, from the shaded, 71-mile High Line Canal to the paved, 40-mile South Platte Trail. For comfort, wear a Giro Rumble mountain helmet and padded Pearl Izumi shorts. Use a Trek FX 3 for flat paths, or a Specialized Rockhopper on rocky Clear Creek sections. Pack a 15L CamelBak with 2L water, snacks, and a basic tool kit. Trails are well-marked, mostly flat (under 5% grade), and ideal for beginners and quick weekend rides.