- Hike Distance: 2.4 to 4.8 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30 Min
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 1hr to 2.5hr
- Activities: Picnic Area, Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loops & Out Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Meadows, Overlooks, Wildflowers, Wildlife: Deer & Elk.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Meyer Ranch Open Space offers 3 great hiking options only 30 minutes from Denver. They range from easy to moderate in difficulty and 2.4 to 4.8 miles in length. Meyer Ranch has expansive meadows and patches of wildflowers, grazing deer & elk, and trails that take you to Read More
- Hike Distance: 3.7Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 2hrs
- Activities: Hiking, Cylcing, Birdwatching, Pond, Picnic Shelter
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Giant Cottonwood Trees, Highline Canal, Wetlands, Waterfowl, Pond at the Fly’n B Park
- Trail Map Link: Click Here (see A6 to A2)
Denver’s Highline Canal was designed as an irrigation stream, but it has become a 66 mile long hiking and biking trail running through the heart of Denver. This particular hiking trail section is in the Littleton & Highlands Ranch area. There are two parking lots from which you can start the hike: the Countyline Road Trailhead, or the Fly’n B Park lot. Round Trip, this segment is about 4 miles. From the Countyline Trailhead, cross over the first footbridge and head South (left). You’ll run into an intersection about 200 yards up. Take a right to continue following the Highline.
Water flows in the highland canal about 90 days a year. Because the canal only drops two feet per mile, the water, even when it is flowing fast, appears calm. This is part of what gives this trail such a pastoral feel, even though it is close to 470. Immense Cottonwood trees arch over the path, and all sorts of birds decorate the bushes and wetlands that have grown up wild along its edges.
The trail is great for a stroller hike and for wheelchairs. After about 2 miles of trail, you’ll walk through a tunnel that goes under 470. You’ll then emerge to find yourself at Fly’n B Park. It looks like it is an old ranch that has been converted into a great park near Highlands Ranch. It features a small pond with boat dock, and a fantastic shelter house. The pond looks like a perfect place to take kids fishing in Denver. We haven’t tried it out yet, so we would love your feedback if you have. The Highlands Ranch Metro District Parks has plans to renovate the home on the property. Outdoor restrooms and some parking is available. However, we recommend parking at the Countyline Road Trailhead for this hike.
Tips:
- A detailed guide to of the Highline Canal Trail can be ordered from Denver Water.
- Take some snacks and extra water. The Highline continues well beyond this section and you’re likely to want to explore more of it.
- From the Countyline Trailhead, you can also go North towards for views of McLellan Reservoir and the Front Range.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 5 Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 25
- Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
- Duration: 2.5+ hrs
- Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Trail Running
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Rocky Mountain vista at top, Views of Golden & Denver
- Trail Map Link: Click Here for Windy Saddle Trail Map
Steep – that’s probably the best adjective for this hike. The trail is very accessible from Denver – on average, just a 25 minute drive. The trail begins at the base of Lookout Mountain in Golden and weaves it’s way to the top, crossing the road twice, to a wonderful mountain vista. It’s a perfect place, complete with benches, for viewing sunsets. However, a hike down in the twilight may be pretty difficult to negotiate. The Chimney Gulch Trail joins up with both the Beaver Brook Trail, and Lookout Mountain Trail.
Tips:
- Because the trail can be narrow and has a lot of mountain bike traffic, we suggest leaving the dog at home.
- If you want to start at the top, you can park at the Windy Saddle Trailhead along Lookout Mountain Road. Click for google map and driving directions.
- For a great detailed trail description, check out Deb Stanley’s Chimney Gulch Trail profile.
- Adjust Expectations – If you are hoping for a quiet, solitary hike, this is probably not the best choice. Because this trail is very accessible and challenging, there is a lot of hiking, running, and biking traffic.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 5.3 Miles of Trail
- Denver Drive Time: 35 Min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 30 min to 4hrs
- Activities: Hiking, Running, Biking, Birdwatching
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cottonwoods, Meadows, Wetlands, Wildlife: Prebles Meadow Jumping Mouse, Beavers, Migratory Birds.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
The East Plum Creek Trail winds through the heart of Castle Rock, Colorado, through wetlands, and along the banks of Plum Creek. Starting from the Meadows Parkway lot, Read More
- Hike Distance: .6 & .8 Mile Loops
- Denver Drive Time: 30 Min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 30 Min
- Activities: Picnic Area, Hiking, Nature Center, Picnic Area, Birdwatching
- Dogs: Not Allowed
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Hours Vary
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Ponderosa Pine, Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrels, and Deer.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Lookout Mountain Nature Center has 2 short loop hikes. If you have young children, this is a perfect trip. The trails at Lookout Mountain are short loops: 1- The Meadow Loop (.8 mile) & 2 – Forest Loop Trail (.6 mile). If you are looking for a longer hike on Lookout Mountain, Read More
- Hike Distance: 1.9 or 3.3 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 40 min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 1 to 2.5hrs
- Activities: Hiking Trails, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Birdwatching, & Trail Running
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Views of the Flatirons, Meadows, Ponderosa Pines, Wildlife: Bobcat, Bear, Mule Deer, Eagles (in winter), & coyote
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
You’ve got options. The Flatiron Vista Loop trail offers 2 loops. One is 3.3 miles and the other is just 1.9 miles. Read More
We hike the Bluffs more than any other trail near Denver. It’s close to home and is a great hike or run for taking the jogging stroller. The Bluffs Regional Park features a 2.7 mile loop and 2 spurs that lead to panoramic overlooks. You’ll get fantastic views of Denver and the of front range. We prefer hitting the trail as the sun is setting. Sometimes, as it gets dark, warm winds will kick up as the city lights begin to appear.
Be aware of horses on the trail and give the the right of way. There is a gentleman who likes to ride his horse in the late afternoon/early evening who can be quite reckless. I’ve seen him nearly collide with parties of hikers on two occasions. Just be aware of him.
- Hike Distance: 2.7Miles+Spurs
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1hr 45min+
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Summer & Fall
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Bluff Overlooks, Wildlife: Prairie Dogs, Rabbits, Red Fox.
- Trail Map: Click Here
- Hike Distance: 1.4 miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1hr
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Summer & Fall
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Bluff Overlooks, Wildlife: Prairie Dogs, Rabbits, Red Fox.
- Hike Distance: 1.6 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 45min
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Adjacent Dog Park
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Cherry Creek, Wildlife: Pronghorn Antelope, Rattlesnakes, Prairie Dogs, & Deer, Rabbits, Scrub Jays, & Spotted Towhees
- Hike Distance: 1.7 miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1hr+
- Activities: Hiking Trails, Wildlife Viewing, Seasonal Fishing
- Dogs: Prohibited in the Refuge
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Lakes Wildlife: wild Bison, Deer, Coyotes, Bald Eagles and Burrowing Owls.
- Closed Mondays
An arsenal turned into a Wildlife Refuge. What a great idea! The refuge boasts over 8000 acres and over 300 species of wildlife. It also hosts three lakes and Denver lake hikes.
How to Hike the Loop: Check in and begin your hike at the visitors center. Follow the Lake Mary Trail along the northwest of the lake until it merges with the the Prairie Trail. Follow the Prairie Trail to the south until it merges with the Ladora Trail which will take you back to the visitors center and along the shore of Lake Ladora. Read More
