Denver Running Trails

Popular Trails and Paths in Denver

Cherry Creek Path

The prettiest and easiest jogging paths follow Cherry Creek and the Platte River. You can go as far as you want at whatever pace you choose. Both trails are basically flat. So you don't have to worry about taxing your heart going uphill in The Mile High City.

You can reach the Cherry Creek path from several entry points along Speer Boulevard between downtown and the Cherry Creek neighborhood.

This means you could actually add a shopping trip at the chic retail venues of Cherry Creek Shopping District to your multi-tasking, provided you don't mind letting them see you sweat. The distance between Downtown and the Cherry Creek district is about four miles. So the break is perfect.

LoDo/Riverfront

You can cut your run anywhere along the trail. If you start in Lower Downtown  (LoDo) and head southeast, you hit two miles right around 8th Avenue. The names of the streets are marked on the overpasses.

Or you can take a quick out-and-back two-mile jog along Cherry Creek between LoDo and Colfax. This is especially nice because one side of the creek is dedicated to runners and walkers and the other side to bicyclists.

One route starts at the trail access at Speer and Colfax and heads north toward LoDo. The Colfax access is an easy, safe walk from convention center-area hotels and puts you on the Cherry Creek Trail where it splits into designated bike and pedestrian paths. Run a little more than a mile and you reach Confluence Park, where Cherry Creek meets the Platte River.

If you find yourself short of breath from jogging at altitude, this is the perfect breakpoint because the Platte forms rapids that attract kayakers and, in summer, rafters. Year-round, it's just an interesting rush of water to watch while you acclimatize. At Confluence Park, you choose what you're in the mood for: institutional or residential architecture. For the former, cross over the pedestrian bridge and head left on to the Platte River trail that winds past the Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus , the Downtown Aquarium  and Empower Field at Mile High , where the Denver Broncos play. You could run an entire marathon if you stay on this trail.

If, instead, you want to check out residential urban renewal, skip the pedestrian bridge at Confluence and turn right along the Platte River Trail on the southeast side of the river.

In addition to people watching, it's always fun to check out the baggy-pants athletes grabbing air at the Denver Skatepark.

High Line Canal Trail

The High Line Canal Trail is one of the longest urban trails in America. It’s a meandering path that travels 71 miles through suburban Denver, from Waterton Canyon to the plains south of Denver International Airport . It has been designated a National Landmark Trail and covers a peaceful, relatively flat landscape along an irrigation canal owned by Denver Water. There are plenty of benches and parks along the way for breaks, and a canopy of cottonwood trees makes for shady cover. A great scenic section for jogging is from Platte Canyon Reservoir to the northeast side of Chatfield State Park.

Beautiful Lake Parks in Denver

Washington Park

One of Denver's most popular spots year-round, Washington Park  (nicknamed "Wash Park" by locals) features two lakes (boat rentals are available), flower gardens, innovative playgrounds and countless areas for outdoor recreation. Wash Park is also a favorite for its extensive sports and fitness options, including a recreation center with an indoor pool, a bicycle/pedestrian pathway, a crushed granite jogging path, a fitness course, a horseshoe pit, a lawn bowling/croquet area, a soccer field and tennis courts.

Sloan’s Lake Park

Denver's largest body of water is the perfect place to do a lap or two with city skyline and mountain views. The 2.6-mile path is paved along with dirt trails off to the side if you want to lessen the impact on your feet and body. The park is open 24 hours and well-lit at night, for the most part. The lake is surrounded by a charming neighborhood with restaurants, breweries and bakeries. 

Rocky Mountain Lake Park

Located in the Berkeley neighborhood in north Denver, this tranquil park is the perfect place to go for a run around the lake on the mile-long trail. There are beautiful views of the Front Range and plenty of parking. 

Berkeley Lake Park

The Berkeley neighborhood's sister park, just down the road from Rocky Mountain Lake Park, is another great place to run on the mile-long trail around the lake. It also has one of the nicest dog parks in the city, plus tennis courts, a recreation center, a public library and mountain views.  

Some Locals' Favorite Runs in Denver

All of these jogging treks offer easy access from most downtown hotels. They can be adapted to be as long or as short as you like. So if you're staying in downtown Denver and you have as little as half an hour of free time, you have no excuse. If you strapped on the feed bag the night before, you can always strap on the jogging shoes the next day and quickly battle the bulge.

'Blue Sky Run' to City Park

Many other jogging routes wind their way out of downtown. For the hearty, there is a five-miler that some locals call "the blue sign run." Start at Broadway and 16th Avenue. Head east on 16th until you reach the incredible architectural edifice of East High School at City Park Esplanade. Turn left and jog into City Park. Continue along 17th Avenue until you reach — you guessed it — a big blue sign just west of the intersection of Colorado and 17th. Turn and retrace your steps. You'll see the beautifully renovated City Park lake and fountain, as well as some inner-city neighborhoods.

The mega-hearty may extend this route by another couple of miles around City Park. Jog past the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Colorado Boulevard. Turn left on 23rd Street to jog past the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. Turn left again at York Street and follow the park's edge back to City Park Esplanade.

A 4-Miler to Cheesman Park

A pleasant four-mile route starts at 16th Avenue and Broadway and heads east up 16th to Park Avenue, where you turn right, then cross Colfax Avenue onto Franklin Street and into Cheesman Park. Run around the park's perimeter and head back the way you came after viewing one of Denver's most interesting public spaces and some mansions.