At the foothills of the Rocky Mountains sits the graceful city of Denver. With 300 sunny days a year, you will hardly ever find an excuse to skip running. Despite having such high altitudes and temperatures, Denver still boasts some of the best Colorado running trails.
Denver is currently in the process of developing its public transportation system, but it already has a pretty impressive network of buses and light rails closer to the center of the city. If you are going to the outskirts, you will most likely need a car—or a lot of juice to run there on your own two feet.
You might be wondering, “What are the best places to run near me?” Well, if you are not afraid of the heat, here is a list of the top 8 Denver running routes.
1. Cherry Creek Trail
Cherry Creek Trail is an iconic 42-mile paved trail piercing all of downtown Denver. The best section runs from Confluence Park to Cherry Creek Mall, passing through a few parks, the University of Colorado, and other notable architectural sights — not to mention the beautiful waterside views of Cherry Creek.
For diversity, continue running to Cherry Creek State Park in Englewood, where you will find a 9-mile loop of the reservoir and 10 miles of bridle trails. Another reason to go there? Beaver pond!
Why is it great?
- Iconic waterside views.
- Long trail with many sections to choose from.
- Flat and hilly sections.
- Paved path.
- Well-shaded during the day.
- Partially lit at night.
2. Platte River Trail
This 17.8-mile paved greenway along the Platte River is a bit more industrial than the Cherry Creek Trail, but it still has many options for running. If you are bored with flat trails but want to avoid climbing up the mountain, Platte River Trail features the gentlest running hills in Denver, going up to 100 feet.
You can extend your run slightly by making a circle around New Mile High or going further into Sloan’s Lake Park.
Highland is also a fantastic neighborhood to add to your Platte Trail run.
Why is it great?
- Nice riverside views.
- Relatively flat route with gentle elevation gain.
- Paved path.
3. Rock ‘N’ Roll Denver Half Marathon Route
The Rock ‘N’ Roll Denver Half Marathon was a beloved Denver race that, unfortunately, did not survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The route started and finished at Civic Park and took you through many major parks and landmarks of downtown Denver. If you are nostalgic for the run or still hope for its return, you can follow the 2019 route.
Why is it great?
- Iconic half marathon route.
- Many parks and landmarks along the way.
- Flat and hilly sections.
- Paved path.
- Well-lit at night.
4. City Park
City Park is the largest park in Denver and hosts many of the city’s most beautiful running trails. The park contains the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science, as well as Ferril Lake and Duck Lake—all in just 330 acres.
The perimeter run of the park is roughly 3 miles. The loop of Ferril Lake is about 0.5 miles. For something more challenging, try running around Duck Lake, which is partially behind fences.
There are also numerous internal trails that we strongly recommend adding to your route for diversity and views. Alternatively, Capitol Hill, Uptown, and Curtis Park are nearby if you want to extend your run.
Why is it great?
- Iconic Denver park.
- Many internal loops to diversify your run.
- Great waterside and parkland views.
- Partially lit at night and partially shaded during the day.
- Slight incline.
- Paved path.
- Some restrooms along the way.
5. Cheesman Park
Cheesman Park is another amazing urban park, hosting some of the finest Denver running routes. The park is relatively hilly, gaining up to 209 feet in elevation. The perimeter path is about 1.6 miles.
To make your workout more interesting, visit Denver Botanical Gardens, steer to the Capitol, or run north to City Park. Alternatively, you can add some of the numerous internal paths to your route.
Capitol Hill, Uptown, and Curtis Park are all relatively close to each other and can be incorporated into your Cheesman Park run.
Why is it great?
- Stunning parkland views.
- Small hills.
- Paved path.
- Well-lit at night and well-shaded during the day.
6. Washington Park
Washington Park is another major park in Denver, home to many 5K races. It contains Grasmere Lake, Smith Lake, and Lilly Pond, so there is no lack of great waterside views. There are also two flower gardens, one of which is a replica of George Washington’s garden at Mount Vernon.
The park’s outer loop is a 2.6-mile dirt path with terrific urban views, while the inner loop is a 2.3-mile paved path with more parkland and waterside views. If you are preparing for a 5K event, you can follow this route.
You can also easily transition into Cherry Creek Trail from here if you travel north.
City Park, Cheesman Park, and Washington Park are all relatively close and can (and, arguably, should) be connected in a single run. If you are up for a challenge, the shortest course will take you roughly 13 miles.
Washington Park also has some nice neighborhoods nearby, particularly Belcaro, Washington Park West, Platt Park, Baker, and Cory-Merrill.
Why is it great?
- Great parkland views with three bodies of water and two gardens.
- Good variety between inner and outer loops.
- Flat route.
- Paved and dirt paths.
- Easy transition to Cherry Creek Trail.
7. Sloan’s Lake
Sloan’s Lake is a stone’s throw away from downtown Denver in the Highlands region. It is one of the prime spots for running in Denver, as it has some of the most terrific views in the state. The perimeter loop is a flat 2.5-mile paved path.
The joy of this park is that it gives you a perfectly layered perspective of Denver: first, you see the lake below, then the park around it, the city skyline above it, and the Rocky Mountains towering over all of them.
Why is it great?
- Amazing views of the lake, park, skyline, and mountains.
- Flat trail.
- Paved path.
- Some restrooms are available.
- Well-lit at night.
8. High Line Canal Trail
The High Line Canal Trail is a gravel trail that spans an impressive 66 miles from Waterton Canyon to Green Valley Ranch, passing through many of the city’s suburbs, parks, and other landmarks.
If you want to try the best trail for running in or near Denver, High Line Canal Trail should be on your list. The trail has distance markers every 0.5 miles and is partially shaded by the local cotton trees.
Why is it great?
- The longest trail in Denver.
- Great for running in or near Denver.
- Gravel path.
- Flat and hilly sections.
- Partially shaded.
- Many stunning views.
Conclusion
Running in Denver is extremely rewarding, as there is lots to see. The scenery never gets old with so many routes available. Some of the Denver runs on our list are a bit short, but there are lots of options to extend them into the adjacent neighborhoods.
We hope you have enjoyed our top 8 runs in Denver. Did we forget your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments!
