Review: Cherry Creek Bike Trail - the Backbone of the Denver Trail System

As part of the Denver transit system Denver has a progressive system of walk ways and bike paths. All trails are well marked with distance, location and trail specific information. There is an amazing 300 miles plus of well laid out, well marked bike and hiking paths. The Cherry Creek Trail is essentially the backbone of the bike trail system for the entire central to southeast portions of the city. Running along historic Cherry Creek the bike path runs from the west end of downtown Denver, at the very popular Confluence Park, for just under 12 miles to the Cherry Creek reservoir and Cherry Creek State Park. From the Cherry Creek Trail a bike rider or hiker has access to 100% of the Denver bike and hiking path system. The original trail had ten miles of trail but addition of the loops inside the Cherry Creek State park added an additional two miles.

The Cherry Creek Trail is very popular with Denver citizens for several reasons. The trail is well used for bike riding, walking and hiking waking pets and even picnicking along the Speer Boulevard portion which is tree lined and offers many comfortable rest stop areas. The use of the bike pass system is free however you need to be aware that the trail does enter the Cherry Creek State Park area. If you want to continue inside the State Park area you may be charged a fee. This does not happen all the time, as there is not always an attendant at the entry area.

Over the course of the Cherry Creek Trail you only have to cross traffic a few times and the city is working to eventually remove all cross traffic event areas. Some of the tunnels used for this purpose could be a little wider so be extra alert in these areas. There are parking areas at Confluence Park and Cherry Creek State park but additionally there are another four parking locations along the trail for use of trail users.