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Denver is one of the most desirable cities in the United States. It has everything you could need. A rapidly growing city. Rich history. Plenty of excellent destinations to explore. Plus, is renowned for its natural beauty. From stunning rock formations to relaxing forests, Denver has it all. The best way to experience these things is on the bike. You can move at your own pace and immerse yourself in your jaw-dropping surroundings. Let’s dive into the best Denver bike trails to give you some inspiration for your next outdoor trip.
Let’s start with one of the most popular recreational tracks in Denver. This trail wraps around the picturesque Smith and Grasmere lakes. It’s the ideal place to have a relaxing inner-city ride. The path is paved and relatively flat. This makes it the perfect place to take the family for some fun in the sun. At only two miles, it can be completed in around 45 minutes to an hour. It’s also a great place to go to stay fit. This article Trusted Source Biking: How to Make It a Workout Biking can be a great cardio workout. It’s also good for your leg muscles. Here’s everything you need to know about biking for exercise. www.webmd.com gives you some tips on how you can turn this scenic bike ride into an effective training session.
There’s just one thing to keep in mind. This is a very popular track. You’ll have to be prepared to share the path with pedestrians and other riders.
This is one of the most popular inner-city bike paths in Denver. As you are riding, you’ll be able to take in some beautiful floral displays in the gardens. The trail is only a short ride, a little under two miles. It’s paved and relatively flat. You should be able to ride it in around 30 to 45 minutes. This is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. You can even stop for food at the local restaurants. Or, if you don’t mind a little road riding, it’s only three miles to Washington Park. You can ride both inner-city loops on the same day. If you need a refresher on the rules of riding on the road, check out this article Trusted Source Rules of the road and trail Here, we summarize Colorado’s rules of the road and other bicycle-related laws as they apply to people driving motor vehicles and people riding bicycles on roads, paths and mountain bike trails in Colorado. In most cases, bicyclists and motorists have the same rights and responsibilities when using public roads. www.bicyclecolorado.org . But, like Washington Park, this is a popular loop so you’ll have to be prepared with walkers.
Denver is known for its mountainous terrain and forests. But it doesn’t have that many lakes to offer. That’s what makes this loop so special. On the flat, paved road, you can take a leisurely trip around Sloan’s Lake. It’s a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Just be aware that the track can get quite full on the weekend, so arrive early if you want to get a good parking spot.
If you are looking for a longer ride, you can check out the Cherry Creek trail, which makes its way through most of Denver. There are plenty of places where you can join the track. The most popular spots are Confluence Park and Sunken Gardens Park. If you follow it for the entire 40 miles you’ll end up in Cherry Creek State Park, which offers plenty of off-roading trails, as we’ll discuss next.
Most of the Cherry Creek trail is paved, making it super easy to ride. Even better, there are plenty of trail off-shoots for you to explore. For example, you might want to take a detour to check out Four Mile Historical Park, which is home to the oldest house in Denver. Or you can pop into the shops and grab some food along your journey. Like most of the other trails we’ve covered so far, most of this track is mixed-use, so be prepared to share. Due to the trail length, this is a good way for beginners to build endurance ahead of a more intense ride. This article Trusted Source These Cycling Tips for Beginners Will Make Riding More Fun Make the most out of your new obsession with these useful tips and tricks. www.bicycling.com talks you through some of the most common mistakes that beginner cyclists should try to avoid, so you can feel more comfortable on a longer ride.
The Cherry Creek State Park is highly accessible, located close to the Denver city center. Even better, it has some of the best beginner mountain bike trails in Denver. Many of these are gravel or dirt tracks. They are fairly flat and don’t have any obstacles, like rocks, to get around. This is perfect for people who don’t have a lot of experience going off-road. Due to the rougher terrain, it’s recommended that you get a dirt bike. These are better placed to provide a smooth ride, even over uneven ground. The good news is that these don’t have to be expensive, as this guide to the best full-suspension mountain bikes under $2000 shows.
These paths tend to be fairly short, under two miles, so you don’t have to worry about building your endurance. If you want, you can make a day out of exploring Cherry Creek State Park. Pack a lunch and have a picnic. Enjoy the picturesque surroundings, where you might be able to see wildlife like mule deer and owls.
Ready for something a little more challenging? Why not try a trail that takes you past the iconic Red Rock amphitheater? Who knows, you might even spy some dinosaur bones if you keep your eyes peeled. The Dakota Ridge track will certainly put your skills to the test. You’ll have to ride over some rocky ground and scramble up some steep climbs. To make things harder, there is usually a light dusting of sand coating the rocks, making them extra slippery. You’ll need to keep your wits about you. Even if you are an experienced rider, you might want to get off the bike and walk through some sections. Because of the tough terrain, I recommend using the Chameleon MX D Mountain Bike, which has 29-inch front wheels to help you clear rock obstacles with ease. But, even with the best bike, you should keep away after rain. The track can turn into a muddy mess, making it very unpleasant to ride and increasing the chances of an injury.
There are a few other Denver biking trails you might want to explore around the Red Rocks area. For example, you might want to check out the Morrison Slide trail. This is a less technical ride, while still offering some stunning views of the rock formations. This article goes into more depth about the bike trails around the Red Rocks/ Dakota Ride area.
If you want a slightly more challenging track to test your riding abilities, the West Magnolia Trail might be perfect. To access it, you’ll have to head to Nederlands Park, on the outskirts of Denver. Interestingly, this unusual name stems from the Dutch who came to the area seeking gold in the late 1800s. The track itself is a little over seven miles and is relatively easy to ride. It’s fairly flat, though you might encounter some smaller rocks. If you want, you can customize the track a little, as there are a few loops linked to the main trail.
There is just one potential problem. The markings on this trail can be a little unclear, you might need to rely on the field guide to track your progress. Plus, it can get a little muddy after some rain. But no need to worry, this article tells you how to clean a mountain bike.
If you are an intermediate or advanced rider, this is one of the best mountain bike trails Denver. It’s located in the Golden Gate State Park. At 11.25 miles it is one of the longest tracks in Denver. It will put you through your paces, with plenty of steep climbs and obstacles to navigate. Plus, this is one of the quieter trails, so you can have the whole forest to yourself. As you come down from the summit, there are some tricky switchbacks for you to navigate. Because of this, I’d recommend getting a full-suspension mountain bike like Schwinn Traxion, with its larger wheels and 24-speed gearbox it can cope with any terrain.
This track takes you past the South Palette River, which provides the drinking water for Denver. It’s not a hard trail to ride and is around 13 miles, perfect for a day trip. Most of it is fairly flat and covered with gravel. Don’t expect too many steep climbs or tough obstacles. But you will be able to enjoy plenty of wildlife encounters, with mule deer and big horn sheep frequent visitors to the area. It should be noted that if you are feeling adventurous this track connects to the Colorado Trail, which extends over 100 miles throughout the state.
We’ve saved one of the most beloved bike trails in Denver, Colorado for last. This track stretches for a little over six miles. During that trip, you’ll be able to go to the top of Green Mountain, to get some stunning views of the Denver area. You can also see some of the larger mountain ranges to the east and west. On the way to the summit, you might spy some cool wildlife like rabbits, deer, and even the odd mountain lion. The ride itself is ideal for an intermediate rider. You will have to face some steep climbs and will have to navigate a few obstacles, like rocks. Aim to spend around two and a half hours on the ride. Though it’s open throughout the year, it’s best to do this ride during the winter. Unlike some other trails, there isn’t a lot of tree cover, so you will feel the summer heat.
Just remember that this is a popular hiking trail, so you’ll have to be prepared to share the path with other hikers. Also, this might be home to some unexploded bombs, due to its history as a National Guard camp, so make sure to stay on the path.
The city of Denver offers plenty of excellent bike trails to explore. The right one will depend on what you are looking for. Some people prefer the inner-city loops. They are only a few miles long and can be easily ridden by road bikes. But, if you want to challenge yourself, head off-road. Once you head off the beaten track you’ll discover the best Denver bike trail. Out there, you’ll be able to feel the true natural beauty of this state. Plus, you can put your skills to the test by taking on technically tricky terrain. These 10 trails are just the beginning. Head out there and discover more of the unique trails that this city can offer.
