The running experts recommended these places to check out in Denver. Although I’ve listed the mileage for the outermost routes at the parks, they also have other paths within them that can be combined for shorter or longer runs.
1. Washington Park
This city park is one of the most popular places to run. The outside crushed gravel path is 2.5 miles long and fairly flat and includes mile-markers along the way.
2. Cheesman Park
This centrally located park has a gravel and dirt path that is about 1.4 miles and includes some slight hills running toward the Denver Botanic Gardens.
3. Sloan’s Lake’s
The trail around Sloan’s Lake is about 2.6 miles long and mostly flat.
4. City Park
The outer Mile High loop is about 3.1 miles. The park is near the Denver Zoo and offers nice skyline views.
5. High Line Canal
The canal is 71 miles long. Hop on and off wherever you want.
6. Cherry Creek Path
The concrete trail is about 40 miles total and includes some areas to the side where you can run on heavily packed dirt.
Downtown Denver Route
For a city run, Junko Kazukawa recommended the Colorado Athletic Club Tabor Run club route, which is about 6 to 6.5 miles long. From 16th and Lawrence streets, run on 16th Street toward Union Station. Go up the stairs and down to Commons Park. Run through the park on the South Platte River Trail, pass under 20th Street to City of Cuernavaca Park for a 1/2 mile loop. Go back toward REI via the Colorado Front Range Trail to the South Platte River Trail, pass the REI and loop the football stadium (a little less than half a mile). If you want a hill, run around the outside of the stadium parking, adding another mile. Head back toward downtown on the South Platte River Trail, take the Cherry Creek Trail and hop off at Larimer Street to the athletic club.
