High Line Canal Hike - County Line to Fly'n B Park
The High line Canal starts in the foothills and meanders over 60 miles through Denver, creating a treelined hiking and biking thoroughfare in the middle of the city. This stretch in Littleton, Colorado takes you past Fly'n B Park. Take the path south and you'll find yourself in Writer's Park. Scroll down for the trail snapshot, and for further details and tips for hiking this great segment of Denver's High Line Canal.
Trail Snapshot: High Line Canal Hike - County Line to Fly'n B Park
Hike Distance | 3.7 miles Round Trip |
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Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 2 hr Round Trip |
Trail Type | Out and Back |
Seasons | All Year |
Dogs | Allowed On Leash |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Map of High Line Canal Hike - County Line to Fly'n B Park (see A6 to A2) |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Driving Directions to High Line Canal Hike - County Line to Fly'n B Park | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Littleton, Colorado |
Beauty | Giant cottonwood trees, Highline Canal, wetlands, waterfowl, pond at the Fly'n B Park |
Activities | Hiking, cycling, birdwatching, pond, picnic shelter |
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 is currently (Spring 2014) renovating 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 & Resources for Hiking High Line Canal Hike - County Line to Fly'n B Park :
- TIP: A detailed guide to of the Highline Canal Trail can be ordered from Denver Water.
- TIP: Take some snacks and extra water. The Highline continues well beyond this section and you're likely to want to explore more of it.
- TIP: From the Countyline Trailhead, you can also go North towards for views of McLellan Reservoir and the Front Range.
- Trail Map for High Line Canal Hike: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Enchanted Grounds Coffee Shop
- Denver Water Highline Canal Site
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Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal
An arsenal turned into a Wildlife Refuge. What a great idea! The refuge boasts over 15,000 acres and over 300 species of wildlife. It also hosts three lakes and Denver lake hikes. The Lakes Loop Trail at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge is a 1.7 mile loop that winds along the shores of two lakes in the park, Lake Mary and Lake Ladora. Explore the full trail profile for all the details: hiking trails, trail map, and detailed directions to the trailhead.
Trail Snapshot: Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal
Hike Distance | 1.8 mile Round Trip |
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Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 1hr+ Round Trip |
Trail Type | Loop |
Seasons | All |
Dogs | Prohibited in the Refuge |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Trail Map |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Driving Directions to Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Commerce City, Colorado |
Beauty | Grassland, Front Range views, lakes wildlife: wild bison, deer, coyotes, bald eagles and burrowing owls |
Activities | Hiking trails, wildlife viewing, seasonal fishing |
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.
Tips & Resources for Hiking Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal :
- TIP: Hiking and site seeing are open 7 days a week. However, the visitors center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and pets are prohibited (makes sense - it's a wildlife refuge).
- TIP: Trolley Tours are available on the weekends. Check out this tours link or call 303/289-0250.
- Trail Map for Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Butcher Block Cafe
- Photo: We would like to express our gratitude to Ray Fetherman for sharing such a beautiful photograph of this hike.
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Clear Creek Trail in Downtown Golden
Want a hike to please everyone?The Clear Creek Trail in Golden, Colorado is it! It's got shade, the kids can bring their bikes, and you can finish your hike with a stroll around downtown. We might get some flack for calling this a hike, because it runs through the business district of Golden, CO.But you can wear the soles of your shoes down on this one. Jefferson County even has plans to expand the trail several miles into Clear Creek Canyon. Explore the full trail profile for all the details: hiking trails, trail map, and detailed directions to the trailhead.
Trail Snapshot:Clear Creek Trail in Downtown Golden
Hike Distance | 1.8 Miles |
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Difficulty | Easy (super easy) |
Duration | 1 hr |
Trail Type | Out and Back |
Seasons | All Season |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Directions | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Golden, Colorado |
Beauty | Clear Creek, Cliff Swallows, Tree lined river |
Activities | Parks, Shops, Kayaking, People Watching, Rollerblading, and Biking |
Handicap Accessible | This Trail is Handicap Accessible |
When you have small children, some mornings can be harder than others to get through the foothills and into the mountains. This trail is made for those mornings. We like to park downtown, grab coffee at the Windy Saddle, then stroll down the trail. A local training school is often seen near the Washington Street Bridge doing water rescue training. It's highly entertaining and a great opportunity. Visiting family and friends will find this trail accessible, easy, and refreshing.
- Bring a Picnic and throw down a blanket at one of the several parks along the way (see map)
- You can start outside of town at the 6th Ave parking area and you have two options: Hike into town, or hike west in Clear Creek Canyon for .7 miles of the Grant Terry Trail
- Don't miss the cliff swallows that have built their nests along the 6th Ave. bridge.
- The Windy Saddle Cafe, on Washington Street offers a kids' playroom and their coffee is fantastic.
Tips & Resources for Hiking the Clear Creek Trail:
City of Golden Trail Map Link
City of Golden Open Space Map Link
Colorado Road Conditions
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South Valley Park Trails
The trails of South Valley Park are perfect for an after work hike or run in South Denver. The expansive valley near the neighborhood of Ken Caryl is enclosed on its eastern side by the exposed red rock formations of the hogback and the green foothills to the west. Views to the south are incredible, making South Valley Park especially enchanting during the early morning hours and at twilight.. Explore the full hiking profile below for full trail details, driving directions and more.
Trail Snapshot: South Valley Park Trails
Hike Distance | 0.5 mile to 3 miles |
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Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 1 to 2 hrs |
Trail Type | Out & Back and Loop |
Seasons | All Year |
Dogs | Allowed On Leash |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Map of South Valley Park Trails |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Driving Directions to South Valley Park Trails | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Littleton, Colorado |
Beauty | Red rock formations, meadows, elk, deer, birdwatching, great sunsets |
Activities | Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking |
Video | Click For Video |
Red Rock towers along the eastern wall of South Valley Park and the foothills begin to the west. Almost 1000 acres of meadow and rock offer a near perfect escape from the sounds of the city. The time lapse below shows a great example of a South Valley Park sunrise.
6 Trails wind through the park. The best place to start is with the South Valley Park Coyote Song Trail. It's a an out an back trail that takes you right through the main meadow. It also connects with the Swallow Trail to form a loop, making your hike about 1.8 miles. The Lyons Back Trail takes you from the Coyote Song Trail and up over the red rock where you can hike trails developed by the Ken-Caryl Ranch foundation.
Tips & Resources for Hiking South Valley Park Trails :
- Don't miss the Coyote Song Trail: The sunsets are wonderful and the park tends to be quiet in the evenings. The Coyote Song Trail is a great way to begin or wind down the day.
- TIP: The Parking area on our map link is the larger of the two. However, you can also begin at the south lot off of Deer Creek Canyon Road. Click here for directions. This gives you a closer connection to the Elk Grazing Trail (seasonal) area and Deer Creek Canyon Park.
- TIP: The red rock calls to be climbed, but climbing is prohibited in this park.
- South Valley Park Trail Map: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Atlas Coffee in Littleton
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