TRAILS TO TRY AS YOU RUN OUTDOORS THIS SPRING
Hit refresh on your running this spring and check out these trails, from rugged routes to urban fun
The weather is warming up and the sunshine is hanging around a bit longer, which means the prime time for running has arrived. The metro area has a wealth of options for runners who want to get out of their neighborhoods, and we’ve collected some Front Range favorites for veteran runners and newbies alike.
We’ve got long runs at altitude and tough climbs. We’ve got great open spaces where it feels like you could run forever. We’ve got urban runs, suburban runs, even a rural run. Whether you’re just getting started (and are hoping to shed a few winter pounds), ramping up for a big race or looking for some new places to go to get out of a rut, you’ll find a place to get your miles in here.
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WEST
Bear Creek Lake Park: This enormous park has several options for running on asphalt or dirt. There is a $10 entry fee if you drive into the park from the main entrance off Morrison Road, but there is no charge for runners and cyclists passing through under their own power, and there are multiple options for that. One is via the main entrance, and another is on the south side of the park via Simms Street, just north of U.S. 285. Location: The main entrance to the park is on Morrison Road, about a quarter of a mile east of C-470. There is parking on the west side of C-470.
Matthews/Winters Park: There are some difficult but stunning runs west of
the hogback here, with 10 miles of trails extending south to Red Rocks Park. The most beautiful trail takes runners on a 300foot climb to the Morrison Slide Trail, which is on a mountain shelf offering fantastic views. Really adventurous runners can run that, then descend, cross Colorado 93 and run along the hogback via the Dakota Ridge Trail. Location: From the Morrison exit on Interstate 70, head a quarter of a mile south and turn right to the parking lot.
SOUTH
Waterton Canyon: This is a popular destination for long weekend runs along the South Platte River before it enters Chatfield State Park. It’s a dirt road with no vehicular traffic except for official vehicles. The road climbs slightly uphill for 6 miles, with lots of beautiful canyon scenery. Location: From C-470 and Wadsworth Boulevard, head south on Wadsworth approximately 5 miles. There is a parking area on the east side of the road, and the trail starts across the street, heading west.
High Line Canal: This dirt trail extends from Chatfield State Park to Aurora with countless access points. Most runners access it somewhere between Hampden Avenue on the north and Arapahoe Road on the south. Given its history as a 19th-century irrigation canal that used gravity to transport water long distances, it’s pretty much the flattest place you can run in the metro area, and it’s especially popular as a training ground as fall marathons approach. Location: Numerous access points. denverwater.org/recreation/ high-line-canal
CENTRAL
Washington Park: This is one of Denver’s most popular running locations with two lakes, some shade on hot days and convenient access from Interstate 25. There is a dirt path looping around the perimeter of the park that is about 2.5 miles and an inner asphalt loop that is just over 2 miles. The inner loop has a dedicated lane for cyclists and another for runners and walkers. Location: Between Downing and Franklin streets, Virginia and Louisiana avenues.
Cherry Creek Trail: It has its drawbacks — it’s busy, with lots of cyclists and walkers for runners to dodge, and the cyclists can be a little aggressive when they’re using the trail as a commuter route. But it’s a nice place to run right in the middle of the metro area, with plenty of colorful murals to keep you going along the way. The northern terminus is at Confluence Park, and the route cuts southeast through Denver and Glendale to the Cherry Creek Reservoir and beyond. At Confluence Park you can connect to the Platte River Trail. Location: Numerous access points, from downtown to Cherry Creek State Park to Parker.
EAST
Central Park: Located in the Stapleton area, the perimeter of the park runs about a mile and a half, with crisscrossing paths in the interior. Depending on your route, you can run by water and over bridges that connect to adjacent parks (Westerly Creek Park, Greenway Park). As a bonus, you can run over to Stanley Marketplace for rehydration and refueling, and there is pretty killer view of the old Stapleton Airport control tower with the city skyline behind it. Location: On Central Park Boulevard., between MLK Boulevard and 33rd Avenue.
NORTH
Standley Lake: Running along this lake just north of Arvada affords spectacular panoramic vistas of the mountains, with Longs Peak prominent in the view. There is a good trail on the south, east and north sides of the lake, and you can get in about 7 miles (out and back) from the Simms Street parking lot, on the south to the entrance for Standley Lake Regional Park on the north side. Location: Between 86th Parkway and 100th Avenue, east of Alkire Street.
Coalton Trailhead: Two wonderful trails start here in the massive open space west of McCaslin Boulevard in Superior, including the 2.9-mile Coalton Trail. It’s even possible to get in a hilly 15-miler if you start west on Coalton Trail and head to the Marshall Trailhead near Colorado 93, then north to Marshall Mesa and back via the Singletree and Meadowlark trails. Location: About 2 miles south of the Boulder Turnpike on McCaslin, the trailhead is on the west side at Coalton Road.
BOULDER AREA
Flatirons Vista: This is a 3.3-mile dirt loop with great views of Eldorado Canyon and the Flatirons, and it connects to other trails that could take you 10 miles or more in the vast open spaces south of Boulder and west of Colorado 93. Note: The city of Boulder requires you to pay $5 per day to park at the trailhead if your vehicle isn’t registered in Boulder County. Location: Just south of the intersection of Colorado 93 and 128, on the west side of 93.
South Boulder Creek Trail: This dirt trail south of Boulder is great for interval workouts because it is relatively flat, though it does trend uphill from east to west. The Boulder Road Runners have used it for years for speed and threshold workouts. From the west end at Colorado 93 to South Boulder Road at the east end is about 1.8 miles. Location: Park near the intersection of Colorado 93 and Marshall Road (west end) or the Cherryvale trailhead at 61 S. Cherryvale Road. From the latter location, run north to South Boulder Road, run about 900 feet north, then west 0.4 of a mile, then pick up the trail on your left. Other options: Park at East Boulder Rec Center, pick up the trail there and run about a mile, crossing under South Boulder Road through a tunnel.
The Rez: When Boulder runners say they’re going to “run the Rez,” they usually don’t mean running in the open space around Boulder Reservoir but rather running north and west from the reservoir on rural roads, many of them dirt. You might see worldclass runners out there along with farms, cottonwood clusters and nice views of the mountains. Location: The Boulder Reservoir is north of Boulder on 51st Street. Take the Diagonal Highway to Jay Road, head briefly west and turn north on 51st Street for 1.5 miles.
FOOTHILLS
Switzerland Trail: A dirt trail on what once was an old railroad grade in the mountains west of Boulder at 8,500 to 9,000 feet, this is a beautiful run, especially in the fall when the aspen are changing. Heading west from the trailhead, you can get in 8 miles or more (round trip, out and back). Location: Take Boulder Canyon (Colorado 119) to Sugarloaf Road, then proceed north about 5 miles to Sugarloaf Mountain Road, which will take you to the trailhead.
Magnolia Road: Distance runners have used this wide dirt road high in the foothills between Boulder and Nederland for years, as has the University of Colorado’s elite cross country program. It features rolling hills, starting at 8,200 feet and climbing to 8,700 feet. You can make it a 14-miler (out and back) if you want. Location: Head west 5 miles from downtown Boulder on Colorado 119, then turn south on Magnolia Road, driving up a steep road with switchbacks about 4 miles until the road flattens out.
White Ranch Park: This is the largest park in Jefferson County’s Open Space network, with 20 miles of trails. There are some hard climbs here on rugged terrain with scenic views topping out at nearly 7,400 feet. Location: In the foothills west of Arvada, take Colorado 93 to 56th Avenue and proceed west about a mile.