40 mi
30 mi
6 mi
2.3 mi
2.6 mi
8 mi
7 mi
29 mi
Denver city is in Colorado, western US. It has several geographical features that make it a top-rated biking region. To its west lie the Southern Rocky Mountains and to the east are high plains. Majority of the biking trails in the city run through the mountains’ foothills and hillsides. Moreover, the city’s downtown district is on the east of South Platte River and Cherry Creek confluence.
Denver is the largest city in Colorado population-wise. Its total population is 711, 463 spanning over a whopping 155 miles. The median age is 34.6 years. The largest ancestry group in Denver’s population is Mexican at 31.2% and thus a significant part of the population speaks Spanish at home.
| Total population | 711,463 |
| Population density | 4,674/mi² |
Denver has a semi-arid climate and out of one year, you can get 270 clear and partly cloudy days. Although the climate is milder than that of the mountains to the west or high plains to the east, it can be quite unpredictable. Ensure you check the weather forecast when planning a biking adventure in any part of the city.
| Month | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19 | 45 |
| February | 20 | 46 |
| March | 28 | 56 |
| April | 34 | 62 |
| May | 44 | 71 |
| June | 53 | 83 |
| July | 60 | 90 |
| August | 58 | 87 |
| September | 50 | 80 |
| October | 37 | 65 |
| November | 26 | 53 |
| December | 18 | 44 |
Denver’s infrastructure consists of a straightforward grid system, interstate highways, inter-city rail, commuter rail lines, over 10,000 bus stops with 1000 buses and Denver international airport. It is hard to get lost in the city because every street is clearly marked and visible on Google maps.
As for the biking infrastructure, it is neither heaven nor hell to ride in Denver. Colorado is rated sixth best bike-friendly state in the U.S. because of Denver and other cities like Fort Collins, and Boulder’s emphasis on improving bike infrastructure to promote cycling as the main mode of transportation. Denver has a citywide bicycle sharing program and although the biking network is unconnected but there are plenty of pleasant places to spin your wheels in the city, including the 850 miles paved bike trails and separated paths with technical features like Red Rocks/Dakota ridge, Cherry Creek trail and the Clear creek trail.
The significant landmarks in Denver include:
On the foothill, uphill, or hillside trails, you will see the most beautiful natural sights and landscapes in Colorado. For instance, on Cherry Creek trail you will see various wildlife including deer, coyotes, beavers, muskrats, and prairie dogs. You will also enjoy the stunning creek views.
The biggest highlight on Cherry Creek trail is that it has over 500 high-end galleries, department stores, shops, cafes, and outdoor restaurants. The Four mile Historic Park is another famous landmark on the trail. The Four mile House is the oldest building in the metro built in 1859 and has a museum that tells the City’s early history.
On the Highline canal trail you can stop by the Aurora Museum and Wings over Rockies Air and Space museum. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Museum on the trail is another popular landmark in Denver. It is a home to over 330 wildlife species. You will have an up close encounter with bison, black-footed ferrets, bald eagles, and prairie dogs.
The Clear Creek Bike path that connects to the popular South Platte River trail also has incredible sightings and landmarks like the Colorado railroad museum, the American Mountaineering Center and the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.
Denver is full of easy trails for all biking skill levels. Cherry Creek regional trail, Sloan’s Lake Loop and South Platte River Greenway top the list with unmatched tranquility and stunning sightings.
The Red Rocks/Dakota ridge trail is the most popular difficult trail for advanced mountain bikers. For beginner riders and family rides, the Cherry Creek regional trail is more popular.
Denver has a couple of paved trails including the famous Sloan’s lake loop and Washington park loop trails.