Start: High Line Canal Origin Trailhead, 10401 Waterton Rd, Littleton, CO 80125
End: Roxborough Park Road Trailhead, 11498 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton

On this pleasant walk through rolling foothills, you’ll begin moving along the trail with the Canal channel always at your side. Denver peeks up off in the distance as you make your way through this rural section of the Canal, where you’ll likely pass horseback riders.

Segment Features: 

• Chatfield State Park
• View of Lockheed Martin
• Miksch-Helmer cabin
• Seven Stones Botanical Gardens Cemetery
• Cottonwood Riding Club

Start and End: Roxborough Park Road Trailhead, 11498 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton

On this route, you’ll journey from Roxborough Park Road Trailhead just over two miles and then return for an out-and-back experience. The trail breaks just before mile 9.75 at the siphon, a pipe that carries the Canal’s water beneath Plum Creek, and dead ends here at private property across the creek. The trail picks back up near mile 11.0 in Segment 4.

Segment Features: 

• Views of Chatfield State Park
• Plum Creek
• Plum Creek Gap

Start and End: Carder Court Trailhead, 8236 Carder Court, Littleton

Due to the trail break between miles 9.75 and 11.0, this segment is an out-and-back experience. The route journeys next to two sets of railroad tracks and offers sweeping views of the Front Range over Chatfield State Park and Plum Creek.

Segment Features: 

• Chatfield State Park
• Front Range views
• Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains
• Plum Creek Gap

Start: Carder Court Trailhead, 8236 Carder Court, Littleton

End: Fly’n B Park, 2910 W. Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch

This segment is a nice, quiet experience along fairways. It passes by a large retirement community and is anchored by the historic Fly’n B Park in Highlands Ranch.

Segment Features: 

• S. Santa Fe Drive crossing
• Apple trees
• Highlands Ranch Golf Course
• Marcy Gulch Flume
• Fly’n B Park and fishing pond

Start: Fly’n B Park, 2910 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch

End: County Line Road Trailhead, 1514 W County Line Rd, Littleton (southwest corner of County Line Road and Southpark Lane)

Traveling north out of Fly’n B Park, this route picks up bicycle commuters heading toward the C-470 bike route. A portion of the Canal’s trail in this segment is shared with the Centennial Trail, which heads east along C-470 while the Canal continues north. Look for fruitful apple trees throughout the fall all along this segment, and consider a stop to enjoy a beautiful slice of nature and wildlife viewing at Dad Clark Gulch.

Segment Features: 

• Fly’n B Park
• Centennial Trail Connection
• C-470 underpass
• McLellan Reservoir
• Dad Clark Gulch
• Bennett Flume

Start: County Line Road Trailhead, 1514 W County Line Rd, Littleton (southwest corner of County Line Road and Southpark Lane)

End: High Line Canal and S. Elati Street, Littleton

In this segment, you’ll wrap around McLellan Reservoir as you enter the City of Littleton heading north. Writer’s Vista Park makes a nice break and offers sweeping views of the Front Range and the reservoir. Larger homesites and adjacent open space in this area contribute to the well-being of coyotes and red foxes. Historically, alfalfa pastures, hayfields, and fruit orchards flourished because of the Canal’s water.

Segment Features: 

• Mt. Blue Sky view
• Historic barns
• Writer’s Vista Park
• Footbridge Park

Start: High Line Canal and S. Elati Street, Littleton

End: Milliken Park, 6445 S. Clarkson Street, Centennial

Along this segment, you’ll journey from Horseshoe Park in Littleton to Milliken Park in Centennial and cross S. Broadway three times. Enjoy this quiet stretch of trail that travels along the backyards of a semirural Littleton neighborhood, entering into what feels like a true forest dominated by mature cottonwood trees.

Segment Features: 

• Lee Gulch Trail
• Grandpa’s Acres
• S. Broadway crossings
• Milliken Park

Start: Milliken Park, 6445 S. Clarkson Street, Centennial

End: deKoevend Park, 6301 S. University Boulevard, Centennial

Recreational cyclists, runners and dog walkers enjoy this segment, as large cottonwoods tower along the trail, providing shade and wildlife habitat. Be careful of increased pedestrian traffic, and be mindful of speeds when traveling on a bike.

Segment Features: 

• Milliken Park
• deKoevend Park
• Big Dry Creek
• Headgates

Start: deKoevend Park, 6301 S. University Boulevard, Centennial

End: High Line Canal and S. Franklin Street, Greenwood Village

On this segment, you’ll pass by land once farmed for wheat, barley, corn and alfalfa. Today, large cottonwoods provide summer shade and fall color, and the Front Range pops into view. Look out for eagles and great-horned owls drawn by the lush habitat.

Segment Features: 

• Goodson Recreation Center
• Wagon-wheel bench
• Sumac Hill Farm Overlook
• Big Dry Creek Trail connection

Start: High Line Canal and S. Franklin Street, Greenwood Village

End: E. Orchard Road Trailhead, 4011 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village

This segment offers a quiet, country atmosphere punctuated by horse pastures, bridal paths and views of gently rolling hills. A favorite stretch among equestrians, the trail is also enjoyed and shared by recreational bike riders, runners and dog walkers.

Note: There is no parking at the start of this segment, although there is neighborhood access. It is recommended to park at the end of this segment, at the Orchard Road Trailhead, for an out-and-back experience.

Segment Features: 

• Little Dry Creek
• Robert and Judi Newman Outdoor Education Campus

Start: E. Orchard Road Trailhead, 4011 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village

End: High Line Canal and Belleview Trailhead, 4200 E Belleview Ave, Greenwood Village

Some of the best Front Range views and wildlife watching is along this segment, which overlooks a historic farm property turned nature preserve. Appreciate the expansive views and settle into the slow rhythm of this open space. The area boasts such wildlife as ducks, blackbirds, foxes, coyotes, hawks, bats, and the occasional deer.

Segment Features: 

• Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve

Start: High Line Canal and Belleview Trailhead, 4200 E Belleview Ave, Greenwood Village

End: Three Pond Park, 4100 S. Colorado Boulevard, Cherry Hills Village

Enjoy a slower, quieter pace as you continue through the serenity of Cherry Hills Village. Delight in the pastoral character of open fields and Front Range views along a shady path lined with towering cottonwood trees. This segment is popular with equestrians; remember: both pedestrians and cyclists always yield to horses.

Segment Features: 

• Belleview Underpass
• Blackmer Common
• Kent Denver School
• Quincy Farm
• Three Pond Park
• Canal halfway point

Start: Three Pond Park, 4100 S. Colorado Boulevard, Cherry Hills Village

End: Mamie D. Eisenhower Park (Eisenhower Park), 4300 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Denver

On this segment, you’ll pass from Cherry Hills Village into Denver, moving from the Wooded Village character zone into the Urban Refuge.

Segment Features: 

• Magna Carta Park
• Hampden Avenue and S. Colorado Boulevard underpasses
• Wellshire Golf Course
• Mamie D. Eisenhower Park
• Public art, “We are Future Strata”

Start: Mamie D. Eisenhower Park, 4300 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Denver

End: James A. Bible Park, 6802 E. Yale Avenue, Denver

The route continues to the east, winding through the Urban Refuge of Denver and ending in James A. Bible Park. This segment connects two of Denver’s most beautiful parks: Eisenhower and Bible. This is the first section that offers a hard-surface trail, with many parts also having a parallel soft-surface path.

Segment Features: 

• Mamie D. Eisenhower Park
• Stormwater demonstration project
• Commemorative bench
• I-25 underpass artwork
• James A. Bible Park

Start: James A. Bible Park, 6802 E. Yale Avenue, Denver

End: High Line Canal and S. Yosemite Street near the intersection of E. Amherst Drive, Denver

Continuing through the Urban Refuge, you’ll make your way through urban neighborhoods of Denver and parts of unincorporated Arapahoe County.

Note: As you continue north from James A. Bible Park, watch for where the Canal and trail cross E. Yale Avenue and make sure to bear right to stay on the High Line Canal. You will cross E. Yale Avenue two times in this segment; be careful at the unprotected crossings.

Segment Features: 

• James A. Bible Park
• Goldsmith Gulch
• Wayside Park
• E. Yale Avenue crossings
• Sullivan

Start: High Line Canal and S. Yosemite Street near the intersection with E. Amherst Drive, Denver

End: South Quebec Way Trailhead, 1900 S. Quebec Way, Denver

This segment of the Urban Refuge continues to weave in and out of the City of Denver and unincorporated Arapahoe County. The Canal trail merges with the Cherry Creek Trail for a short distance. Carefully follow the route through the confluence of Cherry Creek and the Canal, eventually making your way to the east side of the Cherry Creek Golf Course to once again head north.

Segment Features: 

• Cherry Creek Trail
• Cherry Creek Golf Course
• E. Iliff Avenue underpass
• South Quebec Way Trailhead

Start: South Quebec Way Trailhead, 1900 S. Quebec Way, Denver

End: Expo Park, 10955 E. Exposition Avenue, Aurora

The Canal trail continues in a northerly direction through the Urban Refuge, passing through the historic Fairmount Cemetery, where the trail turns to the east. In this segment, you’ll experience the trail as it traverses multiple jurisdictions: unincorporated Arapahoe County, the City and County of Denver and the City of Aurora.

Segment Features: 

• Fairmount Cemetery
• Perry Family plot
• Pump house
• Windsor Lake
• Expo Park
• Longs Pine Grove

Start: Expo Park, 10955 E. Exposition Avenue, Aurora

End: Del Mar Park, 12000 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora

This segment begins in Expo Park, an active community park that provides parking and access for recreating on the High Line Canal trail and the Westerly Creek Trail in Aurora. Crossing Alameda Avenue, the character of the neighborhood reflects a rural atmosphere, as towering older cottonwood trees line the trail. While water no longer flows this far north, cattails in the Canal signal storm drainage, and the channel remains a thriving habitat. Blackbirds, ducks and foxes frequent the Canal on this stretch.

Segment Features: 

• Expo Park
• Historic wooden sign
• Public art, “Aurora Akimbo”
• Farmer Smith’s house
• Del Mar Park

Start: Del Mar Park, 12000 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora

End: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora

The concrete path of the Canal journeys on an easterly course from Del Mar Park, where the story of the Thunder Tree was inspired. The trail weaves behind backyards of single-family homes and apartment complexes before it meets up and runs alongside the Aurora Hills Golf Course, which provides an open-space feel to this urban segment. You’ll continue under I-225, crossing the train tracks at the 2nd and Abilene Light Rail Station, and journey on to the Aurora Municipal Center.

Segment Features: 

• Del Mar Park
• Aurora Hills Golf Course
• I-225 Underpass
• Public art, “High Line Times”
• 2nd & Abilene Station
• Aurora Municipal Center

Start: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora

End: High Line Canal and E. 1st Avenue, Aurora

On this segment, you’ll leave urban Aurora and enter into a historically agricultural area, the DeLaney Homestead Historic District. This open space offers a slice of nature within the city and has several historic buildings to explore. Scenic views and wildlife sightings also highlight this segment.

Segment Features: 

• Aurora Municipal Center
• Frank Weddig underpass
• DeLaney Farm historic site
• Toll Gate Creek Trail
• Contre Hills Disc Golf
• Community College of Aurora
• Coal Creek Schoolhouse

Start: High Line Canal and E. 1st Avenue, Aurora

End: Norfolk Glen Park, 15800 E. 17th Place, Aurora

On this segment, you’ll make your way away from Aurora’s City Center and into north Aurora on the concrete trail, which affords an urban and rural blend of sights and experiences. You’ll cross busy E. Colfax Avenue for the first of three crossings.

Segment Features: 

• Granby Ditch Open Space
• E. Colfax Avenue crossing
• Norfolk Glen Park

Start: Norfolk Glen Park, 15800 E. 17th Place, Aurora

End: Triple Creek Trailhead, 18000 E. Colfax Avenue, Aurora

As you travel east along the trail, enjoy views over the Star K Ranch open space, a beautiful slice of nature in the city. Cross busy E. Colfax Avenue at the stoplight and connect to a pocket of rural Aurora, where horse stables still remain. Finish the segment along the Sand Creek Regional Greenway, where Aurora constructed the Triple Creek Trailhead in 2019.

Segment Features: 

• Norfolk Glen Park
• Star K Ranch Open Space
• E. Colfax Avenue crossing
• Springhill Golf Course
• Triple Creek Trailhead

Start: Triple Creek Trailhead, 18000 E. Colfax Avenue, Aurora

End: High Line Canal and E. 28th Avenue, Aurora

In 2024, the City of Aurora opened this new segment of trail including an overpass over I-70. Users can now connect seamlessly from Colfax to Denver’s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood.

Segment Features: 

• Railroad crossing
• Historic wooden signs
• High Line Pedestrian Bridge

Start: High Line Canal and E. 28th Avenue, Aurora

End: Green Valley Ranch East Park, 4455 Jebel Street, Denver

This route was completed in 2024 as the City of Aurora closed what had been the largest trail gap remaining on the Canal. The highlight of the route is the I-70 overpass, which was funded with a federal grant matched by contributions from Adams County and the City of Aurora. Stop to learn more about the Derby Lateral, one of the Canal’s historic offshoots that delivered water to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

Segment Features: 

• Disc golf course
• Derby Lateral (future connection to Rocky Mountain Arsenal)
• I-70 pedestrian overpass