Denver bike trails are awesome.
From the city’s wealth of parks and riverside paths to its crisscrossing grid of on-street bike lanes, there’s almost always a way to get where you’re going on two wheels. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why its annual population growth has only dipped beneath the 2%-mark once in the past ten years.
Well, that and the legalized marijuana (laughs anxiously, eyes darting side to side).
To help you discover some of these fantastic rides, we here at Spinlister have put together a list of 6 of our favorite Denver bike trails, along with accompanying maps and photo-rich articles. After all, in a city with this much cycling potential, it would be a shame not to experience them for yourself.
CHERRY CREEK TRAIL
The Cherry Creek Trail is Denver’s main cycling artery, connecting Aurora in the southeast with the heart of downtown. From history to street art to smooth, traffic-free riding, it’s a 20-mile trail you absolutely don’t want to miss. Read more.
SLOAN LAKE TRAIL
The story of Sloan Lake’s accidental creation in the 19th century is almost as entertaining as the 2.6-mile ride around the lake itself. Enjoy killer views of downtown Denver as you pedal along this beautiful mixed-use path. Read more.
CLEAR CREEK TRAIL
The 18-mile ride from North Denver to Golden can safely be counted among the best road bike trails in Colorado. Get ready for a scenic 700-ft climb as you parallel the bubbling waters of Clear Creek westward into the Front Range. Read more.
WASHINGTON PARK LOOP
Sandwiched between downtown and the University of Denver, Washington Park boasts a scenic 2-mile loop for cyclists itching to open up the throttle. The wide roadway, quiet surroundings and easy accessibility make this ride a favorite go-to for athletes. Read more.
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER TRAIL
Stretching from Thornton in the north to Englewood in the south, the 20-mile South Platte River Trail is one of Denver’s most important cycling corridors. If you need to connect to other trails in the city, this is your ride. Read more.
BEAR CREEK TRAIL
The ride west to the historic mountain town of Morrison takes you through the Bear Creek Greenbelt – one of the area’s most tranquil nature preserves. You’ll be ascending almost 600 ft on this secluded 15-mile ride into the Rockies. Read more.
